JP2005104321A - Knee protecting air bag device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a knee protecting air bag device assuring a good design viewed from inside a vehicle and capable of being installed easily on the body side of an air bag assembly. <P>SOLUTION: The knee protecting air bag device is structured so that an air bag, an inflator, and an air bag cover are installed in a case 7 so as to form the air bag assembly. The upper mounting part 17 of the case 7 is fixed to the body 1 of the vehicle using a clip 21. The clip 21 is provided with an insert member 22 and a receptacle member 31. When the insert member 22 is inserted to the side with the receptacle member 31, an elastically deformable locking part 26 is deflected to generate restoration and locked with a rigid locking part 32, and thereby it is made possible to couple the case 7 with the body 1. Also in the engaged state, the elastically deformable locking part 26 is deformed elastically to release locking with the rigid locking part 32, and the insert member 22 is drawn off from the receptacle member 31, and it is possible to disengage the case 7 from the body 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a knee protection airbag device that is disposed in front of a seated occupant's knee and can protect the occupant's knee when the airbag is deployed and inflated.

  Conventionally, a knee protection airbag device has a bottomed box shape that houses a folded airbag and an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag, and includes an opening through which the airbag can protrude. And an airbag cover having a configuration that covers the opening of the case and has a door portion that can be opened when the airbag is deployed and inflated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

A conventional knee protection airbag device is mounted on a vehicle in an assembled state in which an airbag, an inflator, and an airbag cover are assembled to a case.
JP 2003-205814 A

  In the conventional knee protection airbag device, the attachment portion formed on the case is bolted to a bracket extending from the vehicle body side, and the airbag assembly is attached and fixed to the body side. Usually, in a conventional knee protection airbag device, an instrument panel (hereinafter abbreviated as “instrument panel”) is disposed around the airbag cover when the vehicle is mounted. In the conventional knee protection airbag device, when the vehicle is mounted, the airbag assembly is attached and fixed to the vehicle body side with the instrument panel mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, in the conventional knee protection airbag device, the airbag cover is provided with an opening for bolting the body side bracket and a cap for closing the opening after the bolting operation. In addition, there was room for improvement in terms of improving the interior design.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and has a good design as viewed from the inside of the vehicle, and an air bag device for knee protection that has a good assembly workability on the body side of the air bag assembly. The purpose is to provide.

The airbag device for knee protection according to the present invention is disposed in front of the knees of a seated occupant,
A case having a bottomed box shape that houses a folded airbag and an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag, and includes an opening that can project the airbag; and
An airbag cover having a door portion that covers the opening of the case and can be opened when the airbag is deployed and inflated;
Configured with
Assembling the airbag, inflator, and airbag cover to the case to form an airbag assembly,
A knee protection airbag device configured to be mounted on a vehicle by mounting and fixing the airbag assembly on the vehicle body side using a plurality of mounting portions disposed in the case,
The upper side mounting portion disposed on the upper side of the case is configured to be fixed to the vehicle body side using a clip,
The lower side mounting portion disposed on the lower side of the case is configured to be fixed to the vehicle body side using a bolt,
The clip
An insertion member disposed on one of the body side or the case side and a receiving member disposed on the other side are configured, and
If the insertion member is inserted into the receiving member side, the elastic deformation locking portion formed on one of the insertion member or the receiving member is bent and restored to be formed on the other of the insertion member or the receiving member. It is configured to be able to be coupled to the case and the body side by being locked to a rigid locking portion having rigidity, and
In the locked state, the elastic deformation locking part is elastically deformed, the locking with the rigid locking part is released, the insertion member is pulled out from the receiving member, and the connection between the case and the body side can be released It is said that it is said.

  In the knee protection airbag device of the present invention, the upper side mounting portion disposed on the upper side of the case is mounted and fixed to the body side of the vehicle using a clip. The clip includes an insertion member disposed on one of the body side and the case side and a receiving member disposed on the other side, and the insertion member is inserted into the receiving member side. If so, the case can be coupled to the body side. That is, in the knee protection airbag device of the present invention, when the airbag assembly is mounted on the vehicle, the position of the receiving member and the insertion member is adjusted so that the airbag assembly is positioned on the vehicle front side. If it pushes in toward, it can attach and fix the site | part of an upper side attaching part to the body side, and can join a case to the body side. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide an opening for bolting the airbag cover, and the design of the airbag cover as viewed from the inside of the vehicle can be improved.

  Further, in the knee protection airbag device of the present invention, the clip is configured to be able to be locked to the receiving member by inserting the inserting member into the receiving member side. The case can be coupled to the body side more easily than the screwing operation to the nut. Therefore, as compared with the conventional case where the bolts are screwed onto the nuts in all the attachment portions, the number of steps for assembling the airbag assembly on the body side can be reduced. Of course, the clip used in the airbag device for knee protection of the present invention elastically deforms the elastic deformation locking portion disposed on the insertion member or the receiving member in the locked state of the insertion member and the receiving member. If the insertion member is not pulled out from the receiving member, the locked state between the insertion member and the receiving member cannot be released, so that the upper mounting portion of the case can be firmly fixed to the body side.

  Therefore, in the knee protection airbag device of the present invention, the design property seen from the vehicle inner side is good, and the assembly workability to the body side of the airbag assembly is also good.

  Also in the knee protection airbag device of the present invention, the lower side mounting portion in the case is configured to be fixed to the body side of the vehicle using a bolt. However, since the knee protection airbag device of the present invention is disposed in front of the knees of a seated occupant, an opening for bolting the lower side mounting portion to the airbag cover and the surrounding instrument panel is assumed. In addition, even if a cap for closing the opening is arranged, the cap is difficult to catch the seated occupant and does not significantly impair the design.

Further, in the knee protection airbag device having the above-described configuration, the insertion member extends along the insertion direction to the receiving member side and has a rod-shaped attachment piece portion as an elastic deformation locking portion that is elastically deformable. Prepared,
The attachment piece portion is configured to include an attachment head disposed at the distal end in the insertion direction, and an attachment neck that can be elastically deformed by narrowing the width dimension from the attachment head,
A rigid locking portion disposed on the receiving member,
An insertion side opening into which the attachment head at the time of insertion can be inserted, and
A projecting side opening that is connected to the insertion side opening with a guide interposed therebetween and can project the mounting head;
Having a locking hole that can lock the mounting head in the mounting piece,
The protruding side opening
A small hole that opens to the insertion direction side of the attachment piece portion in the insertion side opening, allows the attachment neck portion extending from the insertion side opening to be inserted, and locks the attachment head to the periphery,
A large hole communicated with the small hole, having an opening area larger than the small hole, and capable of being inserted through the attachment head;
Configured with
The guide portion is configured to guide the attachment head inserted from the insertion side opening to the large hole while allowing the attachment neck portion to bend so as to protrude from the protrusion side opening.
The mounting piece with the mounting head locked to the periphery of the small hole is bent so that the mounting head moves to the large hole side. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the locked state with the insertion member can be released.

  When the clip used in the knee protection airbag device is configured as described above, the attachment piece of the insertion member is inserted into the insertion side opening side of the locking hole formed in the rigid locking portion of the receiving member. Then, the attachment piece portion is guided toward the projection opening of the locking hole while being bent by the guide portion of the receiving member. When the attachment neck portion reaches the protruding opening, the attachment piece portion is restored so that the attachment neck portion is inserted into the small hole, and the attachment head is locked to the periphery of the small hole. It will be. When removing the attachment piece, use a jig or the like to bend the attachment piece so that the attachment head moves to the large hole side, and pull the attachment head out of the large hole. In this case, the attachment piece portion can be removed, and the engagement between the receiving member and the insertion member can be released. That is, if the clip having the above-described configuration is used, when the insertion member is inserted, the attachment piece portion inserted into the insertion side opening is bent by being guided by the guide portion and automatically reaches the projection side opening. Since it is restored, the attachment head can be reliably locked to the protrusion-side opening peripheral edge of the locking hole simply by inserting the insertion member into the receiving member. In addition, if the clip having the above-described configuration is used, the airbag assembly can be removed from the body without damaging the clip during maintenance or the like, so that workability during maintenance or the like can be improved. .

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the knee protection airbag device S of the embodiment is below the grab box 64 that is the front side of the occupant MD so that the knee K (KL / KR) of the occupant MD can be protected. Are disposed.

  In addition, the upper and lower sides, right and left, and front and rear in this specification correspond to the upper and lower, left and right, and front and rear of the vehicle when the knee protection airbag device S is mounted on the vehicle.

  The grab box 64 includes a box body 65 having an opening on the vehicle rear side, and a lid 66 that covers the opening of the box body 65 so as to be openable and closable, and is made of a hard synthetic resin such as polypropylene. Around the lid 66 in the grab box 64, an instrument panel 5, which is an interior member inside the vehicle, is arranged so that the rear surface is connected to the rear surface of the lid 66. Further, below the lid 66 in the grab box 64, an airbag cover 54 (to be described later) of the knee protecting airbag device S is disposed so as to be continuous with the rear surface of the lid 66. The grab box 64 is fixed to the case 7 using a bracket 13 described later, and is locked to the surrounding instrument panel 5 using a clip (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the knee protection airbag device S includes a folded airbag 52, an inflator 45 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 52, a folded airbag 52, an inflator 45, and the like. And a case 7 having an opening on the vehicle rear side, and an airbag cover 54 covering the vehicle rear side of the case 7.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the inflator 45 is configured as a cylinder type in which the axial direction is disposed along the left-right direction of the vehicle, and includes a substantially cylindrical main body 46 and a diffuser 47. Yes. A plurality of gas discharge ports 46 a are arranged on one end side of the main body 46. Then, a connector 49 to which an operation signal input lead wire 50 is connected is connected to the other end side of the main body 46. The diffuser 47 includes a substantially cylindrical sheet metal holding cylinder 47a that can cover the main body 46, and a plurality of (two in the embodiment) bolts 47c protruding from the holding cylinder 47a. . The holding cylinder portion 47a opens a plurality of gas outlets 47b through which the expansion gas discharged from the gas discharge port 46a of the main body 46 can flow out on the vehicle rear side surface of the holding cylinder portion 47a mounted in the vehicle. Configured.

  The inflator 45 includes a lead wire 50 together with an unillustrated airbag device mounted on the upper side of the grab box 64 when an airbag operation circuit mounted on the vehicle detects a frontal collision of the vehicle. Thus, an operation signal is input.

  The airbag 52 is formed from a woven fabric made of flexible polyester, polyamide yarn, or the like, and has a substantially rectangular plate shape as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. And a shape having a width dimension in the left-right direction capable of protecting both knees KL and KR of the occupant MP. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, two insertion holes 52a and 52a and one insertion hole 52b are formed in the lower end portion of the airbag 52 when the inflation and inflation are completed. The insertion hole 52a is for inserting the bolts 47c of the inflator 45, and the insertion hole 52b is for inserting the main body 46 of the inflator 45. And the airbag 52 protrudes the main body 46 of the inflator 45 from the insertion hole 52a, and fastens the bolt 47c inserted into each insertion hole 52a and the insertion hole 12a of the case bottom wall part 12 with the nut 48, The peripheral edge of each insertion hole 52 a is sandwiched between the holding cylinder portion 46 a and the bottom wall portion 12 of the case 7 and attached to the case 7.

  The airbag cover 54 is formed of an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer and is configured to cover the vehicle rear side of the folded airbag 52 and the case 7, and is connected to and held by the case 7. Yes. The airbag cover 54 includes two door portions 62 and 62 that cover the opening 8 a of the case 7 on the vehicle rear side, and a general portion 55 that is disposed around the door portion 62. .

  The two door portions 62 and 62 are formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and as shown in FIG. 1, a thinly-scheduled breakable portion 61 that is substantially H-shaped when viewed from the vehicle rear side is disposed around the door portion 62. Let it be configured. The planned break portion 61 is provided with a continuous or intermittent groove on the front surface of the vehicle of the airbag cover 54 so that the door portion 62 is easily broken when pushed by the inflating airbag 52. Is formed. And the door part 62 is comprised so that it may open up and down, if it is pushed by the airbag 52 which expand | swells and the planned fracture | rupture part 61 fractures | ruptures.

  Further, in the portion of the general portion 55 that is near the periphery of the door portion 62, as shown in FIGS. Four protruding wall portions 57, 58, 59, and 59 are formed. The upper connecting wall portion 57 disposed on the upper side of the case peripheral wall portion 9 and the lower connecting wall portion 58 disposed on the lower side of the peripheral wall portion 9 serve as a portion for connecting and holding the airbag cover to the case 7. Each of the wall portions 57, 58 is inserted with a locking portion 10 (10U, 10D), which will be described later, disposed on the peripheral wall portion 9, and a locking hole 57a. 58a is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6, the case 7 is made of sheet metal and includes a box-shaped main body portion 8 and a panel portion 16 that extends outward from the rear end of the main body portion 8. The main body 8 includes a substantially rectangular tube-shaped peripheral wall 9 and a bottom wall 12 that closes the vehicle front side of the peripheral wall 9, and includes a substantially rectangular opening 8 a on the vehicle rear side. ing. A plurality of locking portions 10 (for attaching the upper and lower connecting wall portions 57 and 58 of the airbag cover to the case 7 are respectively provided on the outer surface sides of the wall portions 9 a and 9 b facing the upper and lower sides of the peripheral wall portion 9. 10U · 10D) is provided.

  Each locking portion 10U disposed on the outer surface side of the upper wall portion 9a is inserted into the locking hole 57a of the upper connection wall portion 57 of the airbag cover 54 so as to have a substantially Z-shaped cross section. It is comprised as a latching hook which can latch the peripheral edge of the retaining hole 57a. A plurality (four in the embodiment) of these locking hooks 10U are arranged along the left-right direction of the vehicle (see FIG. 6).

  Each locking portion 10D disposed on the outer surface side of the lower wall portion 9b is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section and can be inserted into the locking hole 58a of the lower connecting wall portion 58 of the airbag cover 54. It is comprised as a proper locking projection. A plurality (four in the embodiment) of the locking projections 10D are arranged along the left-right direction of the vehicle (see FIG. 6). In addition, the collar member 11 is inserted into the plurality of locking projections 10D so as to prevent the locking holes 58a from coming off from the locking holes 58a. The saddle member 11 includes four insertion portions 11a that are inserted between the outer surface of the lower connecting wall portion 58 and the inner peripheral surface of each locking projection 10D, and is integrated on the vehicle front side. It is fixed to. The saddle member 11 is fastened together with the nut 48 of the bolt 47 c for fixing the inflator 45 to the case 8 and fixed to the bottom wall portion 12 of the case 7.

  Further, an insertion hole 9d through which the end of the main body 46 of the inflator 45 can be inserted is formed in the side wall 9c of the peripheral wall 9 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Further, two insertion holes 12 a for inserting the bolts 47 c of the inflator 45 are formed in the bottom wall portion 12.

  A bracket 13 made of sheet metal that is separated from the case 7 and is welded to the bottom wall portion 12 is disposed on the front side of the bottom wall portion 12. The bracket 13 is for fixing the box main body 65 of the grab box 64 to the case 7. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the bracket 13 uses the tapping bolts 14 on the left and right sides on the front end side of the box main body 65. The fixing piece 65a disposed on the lower surface side near both ends is fixed. A fixing hole 13 a for screwing the bolt 14 is formed in the bracket 13.

  The panel portion 16 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape extending in the left-right direction so as to surround the periphery of the opening 8 a of the case 7. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the panel portion 16 is provided with four insertion holes 16 a through which the upper connection wall portion 57 of the airbag cover 54 is inserted, at four locations on the upper peripheral edge of the opening 8 a. . The panel portion 16 is provided with mounting portions 17 and 18 for mounting and fixing the case 7 to the body 1 side.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the attachment portions (upper side attachment portions) 17 are disposed at two locations near the left and right ends on the upper edge side of the panel portion 16. The attachment portions (lower attachment portions) 18 are disposed at two locations near the left and right ends on the lower edge side of the panel portion 16. As shown in FIG. 7, each upper side mounting portion 17 is fixed to a bracket 2 extending from a center brace, a side member, or the like on the body 1 side using a clip 21. As shown in FIG. 7, each lower-side attachment portion 18 is fixed to a bracket 3 extending from a center brace, a side member, or the like on the body 1 side by bolts 19. A nut 3a for screwing the bolt 19 is fixed to the bracket 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the clip 21 is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, and has an insertion member 22 disposed on the upper mounting portion 17 side and a receiving member disposed on the bracket 2 side. 31.

  A mounting hole 17a that is opened in a substantially circular shape for disposing the insertion member 22 is disposed in the upper side mounting portion 17 where the insertion member 22 is disposed. And the insertion member 22 is arrange | positioned in the position which becomes the inner peripheral side of the attachment hole 17a in the adhering part 23 in the adhering part 23 adhering to the upper side attaching part 17, and the main-body part 32 which the receiving member 31 mentions later. Is provided with a fitting recess 24 and a mounting piece portion 26 as an elastic deformation locking portion. The fixing portion 23 is fixed to the periphery of the mounting hole 17a in the upper-side mounting portion 17 by a flange portion 23a disposed on the periphery of the mounting hole 17a on the vehicle front side, and passes through the mounting hole 17a from the flange portion 23a. It has a substantially hemispherical shape that bulges toward the vehicle rear side. The fitting recess 24 is fitted to the body portion 32 of the receiving member 31 so that the front side of the vehicle is opened and the portion on the inner peripheral side of the mounting hole 17a in the fixing portion 23 is recessed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Possible configuration.

  The attachment piece portion 26 is formed in a rod shape having a substantially rectangular cross section, in the vicinity of the center of the surface 24a on the vehicle rear side in the fitting recess 24, along the insertion direction of the insertion member 22 to the receiving member 31 side, It is formed so as to protrude toward the front side of the vehicle. The attachment piece 26 is an elastic deformation locking portion and can be bent in the vertical direction. The attachment piece portion 26 includes an attachment head portion 27 disposed at a distal end in the insertion direction, and an attachment neck portion 28 that is narrower than the attachment head portion 27 and can be elastically deformed. . As shown in FIG. 9, the attachment head 27 is configured to bulge left and right from the attachment neck portion 27, and the width dimension t <b> 1 in the left-right direction is set to the width dimension t <b> 2 in the left-right direction at the attachment neck portion 28. It is set larger. The mounting head 27 is set so that the width dimension t1 in the left-right direction cannot be inserted into a small hole 40 in a protruding opening 39, which will be described later, of the receiving member 21 and can be inserted into a large hole 41. The attachment neck portion 28 is set so that the width dimension t2 in the left-right direction can be inserted into the small hole 40, and can be bent in the vertical direction.

  The bracket 2 in which the receiving member 31 is provided is provided with a mounting hole 2a that is opened in a substantially circular shape for disposing the receiving member 31. And the receiving member 31 is provided with the main-body part 32 as a rigid latching | locking part arrange | positioned so that it may protrude toward the vehicle rear side from the bracket 2, as shown to FIGS. .

  The main body 32 is fixed to the periphery of the mounting hole 2a in the bracket 2 by fixing flange portions 42 and 42 which are disposed near the front end and are disposed so as to sandwich the front and rear peripheral edges of the mounting hole 2a. It is made into the substantially cylindrical shape which made the axial direction along the front-back direction so that it might protrude toward the vehicle rear side from the fixed flange part 42A of the side. The main body 32 is configured to be fitted into the fitting recess 24 of the insertion member 22. Further, when the main body portion 32 is engaged with the insertion member 22 on the receiving member 31, the rear surface of the fixing flange portion 42A on the rear side is in contact with the front surface of the flange portion 23a of the fixing portion 23 of the insertion member 22. It is set so that the movement of the insertion member 22 toward the front side can be restricted.

  In addition, the main body portion 32 is disposed through the insertion member 22 in the insertion direction (front-rear direction), and is a locking hole that can lock the attachment head portion 27 in the attachment piece portion 26. 33 is formed. The locking hole 33 is connected to the insertion side opening 34 through which the attachment head 27 can be inserted at the time of insertion, and the guide side 35 is interposed in the insertion side opening 34 so that the attachment head 27 can protrude. And an opening 39.

  The opening 34 for insertion is arrange | positioned in the position which becomes a little lower side from the center in the rear surface 32a side of the main-body part 32, and sets the opening width dimension w1 of the left-right direction to the dimension which can insert the attachment head 27. (See FIG. 10). The protruding opening 39 is opened in a substantially T shape when viewed from the front side of the vehicle on the front surface 32 b side of the main body 32.

  The projecting opening 39 includes a narrow small hole 40 and a wide large hole 41 arranged in communication with the small hole 40. The small hole 40 is set such that the opening width dimension w2 in the left-right direction is such that the attachment head portion 28 cannot be inserted and the attachment neck portion 28 can be inserted (see FIG. 11). The small hole 40 is positioned so as to be substantially the same as the insertion opening 34 when viewed from the front-rear direction (insertion direction) so that the center in the left-right direction coincides with the center in the left-right direction in the insertion opening 34. (See FIG. 10). That is, the small hole 40 is opened to the insertion side of the attachment piece portion 26 in the insertion side opening 34, and the attachment neck portion 28 extending from the insertion side opening 34 is inserted therethrough to be attached to the peripheral portion 32c. The insertion member 22 is engaged with the receiving member 31 by engaging the head portion 26. The large hole 41 is disposed in communication with the small hole 40 on the upper side of the small hole 40. And the large hole 41 has an opening area larger than the small hole 40, and the opening width dimension w3 of the left-right direction is set to the dimension which can insert the attachment head 27 (refer FIG. 11). In the case of the embodiment, the large hole 41 is set to have substantially the same shape as the insertion opening 34.

  In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the guide portion 35 includes a communication passage portion 36 disposed so as to communicate the insertion opening 34 and the large hole 41 of the projection opening 39, and the communication passage portion 36. And an inclined surface 37 constituting a vertical wall portion. The communication passage portion 36 is set to a dimension that allows the attachment head portion 27 to be inserted, and is disposed so as to be inclined upward from the insertion opening 34 toward the large hole 41. In addition, a housing recess 38 is formed on the lower side of the communication path portion 36 so as to communicate with the communication path portion 36. The storage recess 38 is disposed so as to allow the insertion opening 34 and the small hole 40 to communicate with each other. The opening width dimension in the left-right direction is such that the attachment head 27 is locked to the periphery of the small hole 40. At this time, the dimensions are set so that the attachment neck portion 28 can be accommodated.

  That is, in the embodiment, when the attachment piece portion 26 is inserted into the insertion opening 34 of the locking hole 33, as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. It is inserted into the communication passage portion 36 along the inclined surface 37 that is inclined, and the entire attachment piece portion 26 is inserted into the communication passage portion 36 so as to bend upward. When the vicinity of the tip of the attachment neck portion 28 reaches the large hole 41 of the projection opening 39, the attachment piece portion 26 is restored downward as shown in FIG. 27 is locked to the periphery of the small hole 40, and the insertion member 22 is locked to the receiving member 31. At this time, the attachment neck portion 38 is housed in the housing recess 35.

  Next, the assembly of the knee protection airbag device S of the embodiment will be described. First, the airbag 52 is configured such that the bolt 47c protrudes from each insertion hole 52a and the end of the main body 46 protrudes from the insertion hole 52b. The inflator 45 is housed inside, the airbag 52 is folded, and the airbag 52 is wrapped with a breakable wrapping material (not shown) for preventing collapse. At this time, the bolt 47c of the inflator 45 protruding from the insertion holes 52a and 52b and the end of the main body 46 are protruded from the wrapping material.

  Next, each bolt 47c of the inflator 45 is projected from the insertion hole 12a, and the end of the inflator main body 46 is projected from the insertion hole 9d, so that the inflator 45 is put into the case 7 together with the folded airbag 52. Store.

  Thereafter, the airbag cover 54 is assembled to the case 7. The assembly of the airbag cover 54 to the case 7 is performed as follows. The wall portions 57, 58, 59, and 59 of the airbag cover 54 are externally attached to the case peripheral wall portion 9, and the locking hooks 10 U are locked to the peripheral edges of the locking holes 57 a on the upper surface side of the upper connecting wall portion 57. Let Also, each locking projection 10D is inserted into each locking hole 58a of the lower connecting wall portion 58, and the saddle material is interposed between the outer surface of the lower connecting wall portion 58 and the inner peripheral surface of each locking projection 10D. 11 is inserted, the bolts 47c are inserted into the saddle member 11, and the nuts 48 are screwed into the bolts 47c, whereby the airbag cover 54 can be assembled to the case 7 and the airbag The assembly SA can be formed. In addition, the insertion member 22 of the clip 21 is fixed to the upper side mounting portion 17 of the case 7 in advance. Further, the receiving member 31 of the clip 21 is also fixed to the bracket 2 on the body 1 side in advance.

  Then, the bracket 13 is brought into contact with the fixing piece 65a of the box main body 65, the bolt 14 is fixed, and the grab box 64 is fixed to the airbag assembly SA. Thereafter, the airbag assembly SA with the grab box 64 fixed is attached and fixed to the body 1 side of the vehicle on which the instrument panel 6 has been previously arranged. First, the insertion member 22 disposed in each upper side mounting portion 17 of the airbag assembly SA is pushed toward the receiving member 31 disposed in the bracket 2 on the body 1 side, and the insertion member 22 is inserted. The upper side of the case 7 and the body 1 side are coupled with each other by being latched to the receiving member 31. At the same time, the grab box 64 is locked to the instrument panel 5 using a clip (not shown). Thereafter, each lower side attaching portion 18 of the airbag assembly SA is fixed to the bracket 3 on the body 1 side using the bolts 19. The fastening operation of the bolt 19 is performed using a gap in which the under cover 4 is disposed. Thereafter, if the under cover 4 is attached, the airbag device S can be mounted on the vehicle.

  If an operation signal is input to the main body 46 of the inflator 45 via the lead wire 50 after the airbag device S is mounted on the vehicle, the inflation gas is discharged from the gas discharge port 46a of the inflator 45, and the inflation gas is Then, the gas flows into the airbag 52 through the gas outlet 47b of the diffuser 47. The airbag 52 is inflated to break a wrapping material (not shown) and presses the airbag cover 54 to break the planned break portion 61. Thereafter, the door 62 is opened up and down, and the airbag 52 is deployed and inflated as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIGS.

  In the knee protection airbag device S of the embodiment, the upper side mounting portions 17 and 17 disposed on the upper side of the case 7 are disposed on the body 1 side of the vehicle using the clip 21. It is the structure attached and fixed to bracket 2 * 2. And this clip 21 is provided with the insertion member 22 arrange | positioned at the case 7 side, and the receiving member 31 arrange | positioned at the body 1 side, The insertion member 22 is received member 31 side. The case 7 can be coupled to the body 1 side. That is, in the knee protection airbag device S of the embodiment, when the airbag assembly SA is mounted on the vehicle, the positions of the receiving member 31 and the insertion member 22 are aligned so that the airbag assembly SA. Is pushed toward the vehicle front side, the portion of the upper mounting portion 17 can be fixedly attached to the bracket 2 on the body 1 side, and the case 7 can be coupled to the body 1 side. . Therefore, the air bag cover 54 does not need to be provided with an opening for bolting, and the design of the air bag cover 54 viewed from the inside of the vehicle can be improved.

  In the knee protection airbag device S of the embodiment, the clip 21 is configured to be able to be locked to the receiving member 31 by inserting the inserting member 22 into the receiving member 31 side. Therefore, the case 7 can be coupled to the body 1 side more easily than the screwing operation to the nut when the bolt is used. Therefore, as compared with the case where the bolts are screwed into the nuts at all the attachment portions as in the conventional case, the number of steps for assembling the airbag assembly SA on the body 1 side can be reduced. Of course, the clip 21 used in the airbag device S of the embodiment is an elastic deformation locking portion that is locked to the main body portion 32 as a rigid locking portion in the locked state of the insertion member 22 and the receiving member 31. Since the attachment state of the insertion member 22 and the receiving member 31 cannot be released unless the attachment piece portion 26 is elastically deformed and pulled out from the receiving member 31, the upper portion of the case 7 is attached. The parts 17 and 17 can be firmly fixed to the brackets 2 and 2 on the body 1 side.

  Therefore, in the knee protection airbag device S of the embodiment, the design property seen from the vehicle inner side is good, and the assembly workability of the airbag assembly SA on the body 1 side is also good.

  In the knee protection airbag device S of the embodiment, the lower side attachment portions 18 and 18 in the case 7 are fixed to the bracket 3 disposed on the vehicle body 1 side using bolts 19 respectively. It is a structure to be. In the case of the embodiment, the screwing operation of the bolt 19 is performed from the gap where the under cover 4 is disposed, and is covered with the under cover 4 when mounted on the vehicle. There is no loss. Needless to say, the airbag cover 54 and the surrounding instrument panel 5 may be provided with an opening for fastening the lower mounting portion 18 to the bolt 19 and a cap for closing the opening. Even in such a configuration, the knee protection airbag device S is disposed in front of the knee K of the seated occupant MP, and thus is disposed on the lower side of the airbag cover 54 and the instrument panel 5. The cap is difficult for the seated occupant MP to see and does not significantly impair the design.

  In the knee protection airbag device S of the embodiment, the clip 21 includes the insertion member 22 including the attachment piece portion 26 as the elastic deformation locking portion, and the main body portion 32 as the rigid locking portion. The receiving member 31 is used. Therefore, if the insertion member 22 is inserted into the receiving member 31 side, the attachment piece portion 26 inserted into the insertion opening 34 of the locking hole 33 communicates the insertion opening 34 and the protrusion opening 39. By the inclined surface 37 (guide portion 35) of the communication passage portion 36 arranged in this manner, the communication passage portion 36 is guided toward the protruding opening 39 while being bent upward. When the part of the attachment neck portion 28 reaches the large hole 41 in the projection opening 39, the attachment piece portion 26 is restored downward so that the attachment neck portion 28 is inserted into the small hole 40. The attachment head 27 is locked to the periphery of the hole 40.

  When the attachment piece 26 is removed, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the locked state can be released by using a locking release jig J such as a screwdriver. Specifically, the jig J is inserted upward through the gap from which the under cover 4 is removed, and the tip of the jig J is brought into contact with the mounting head 27, as shown in FIGS. Then, the entire attachment piece 26 is bent, and the attachment head 27 locked to the periphery of the small hole 40 is pushed up to the large hole 41 side. Next, as shown in FIG. 17A, the attachment head 27 moved to the large hole 41 side is pushed back into the communication path portion 36 using the jig J (the insertion member 22 side). ), The locked state between the attachment head 27 and the projection opening 39 can be released. Thereafter, if the insertion member 22 is pulled so as to move rearward, the insertion member 22 can be removed from the receiving member 31 as shown in FIG. 17B, and the coupling between the case 7 and the bracket 2 is released. can do.

  That is, if the clip 21 of the embodiment is used, when the insertion member 22 is inserted, the attachment piece portion 26 inserted into the insertion opening 34 of the locking hole 33 is guided by the guide portion 35 and bent, When the projection opening 39 is reached, the attachment neck 28 is automatically restored so as to be inserted into the small hole 40, and the attachment head 28 is locked to the periphery of the small hole 40. By simply inserting the member 22 into the receiving member 31, the attachment head 27 can be reliably locked to the periphery of the protrusion opening 39 of the locking hole 33. In addition, if the clip 21 of the embodiment is used, the airbag assembly SA can be removed from the body 1 side without damaging the clip 21 during maintenance or the like, thereby improving workability during maintenance or the like. Can be made.

  Moreover, you may use the thing of the structure shown to FIGS. The clip 69 includes an insertion member 70 disposed on the upper mounting portion 17 side of the case 7 and a receiving member 77 disposed on the bracket 2A side on the body 1 side. The insertion member 70 is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, and is arranged so as to be fixed to the upper mounting portion 17 and to protrude from the fixing portion 71 toward the front side (the receiving member 77 side). And a locking piece portion 72 as a rigid locking portion provided. As with the fixing portion 23 of the insertion member 22 described above, the fixing portion 71 is formed on the periphery of the mounting hole 17a of the upper side mounting portion 17 by a flange portion 71a disposed on the periphery of the mounting hole 17a on the vehicle front side. It is fixed and has a substantially hemispherical shape that bulges from the flange portion 71a through the mounting hole 17a toward the vehicle rear side. The locking piece 72 is a rod having a substantially rectangular cross section, and includes a neck portion 74 on the fixing portion 71 side and a protruding portion 73 disposed on the distal end side of the neck portion 74. As shown in FIG. 20, the protruding portion 73 is configured to bulge left and right from the neck portion 74. Further, when the insertion member 70 is locked to the receiving member 77, the front surface of the flange portion 71a abuts on a peripheral portion of an insertion hole 2b (described later) in the bracket 2A, thereby restricting the forward movement. It is configured to be.

  The receiving member 77 has a hook-shaped spring shape disposed along the vertical direction, and is configured by closing the upper end side and opening the lower end side. The receiving member 77 is fixed to the bracket 2A using a bolt 80 and a nut 81 at a position on the vehicle front side of the bracket 2A with the closed portion on the upper end side as an attachment portion 78. The bracket 2A is formed with an insertion hole 2b through which the locking piece 72 of the insertion member 70 can be inserted. And the receiving member 77 uses the part which becomes the lower part side of the attaching part 78 as the latching | locking part 79 which latches the protrusion part 73 of the insertion member 70. FIG. The locking portion 79 is shaped like a bar along the vertical direction, and is arranged in parallel at two locations along the left-right direction. Each locking portion 79 is configured to be biased so that the lower end 79a side approaches each other, and is configured to be able to bend so that the lower end 79a side is separated from each other. That is, in the clip 69 of the embodiment, the locking portion 79 is an elastic deformation locking portion. The locking portions 79 and 79 are set so that the separation distance in the vicinity of the lower end 79a is smaller than the width dimension of the protruding portion 73 in the left-right direction.

  In this clip 69, the insertion member 70 fixed to the upper side mounting portion 17 is moved to the receiving member 77 side fixed to the bracket 2A so that the locking piece portion 72 is inserted into the insertion hole 2c of the bracket 2A. If it moves, it will bend so that the lower end 79a side of each latching | locking part 79 * 79 may mutually be spaced apart, so that it may be pushed and extended to the protrusion part 73. FIG. And if the attachment neck part 72 reaches | attains the site | part of the latching | locking part 79, each latching | locking part 79 * 79 will be restored, and the protrusion part 73 will be latched by the latching | locking part 79 * 79 periphery, and it will be inserted. The member 70 is locked to the receiving member 77, and the case 7 is coupled to the bracket 2A on the body 1 side.

  That is, even when the clip 69 is used, the insertion member 70 can be locked to the receiving member 77 if the insertion member 70 is inserted into the receiving member 77 side. Also in this clip 69, the locking portions 79 and 79 and the protrusion 73 are not bent unless the locking portions 79 and 79 are bent apart from each other in the biasing direction and the lower end 79 a side is not spread. Therefore, the upper mounting portions 17 and 17 of the case 7 can be firmly fixed to the brackets 2A and 2A on the body 1 side.

  In the clip 69 configured as described above, when the locking piece 72 is removed, the jig is inserted upward through the gap from which the under cover 4 is removed, and the tip of the jig is positioned on the inner peripheral surface side of one locking portion 79. The attachment head 74 can be removed from between the engagement portions 79 and 79 by being bent so as to be in contact with the other engagement portion 79 and separated from the other engagement portion 79. The locked state with the parts 79 and 79 can be released. Thereafter, if the insertion member 70 is moved rearward, the insertion member 70 can be removed from the receiving member 77, and the coupling between the case 7 and the bracket 2A can be released.

  In the embodiment, the clips 21 and 69 having the structure in which the insertion members 22 and 70 are disposed on the case 7 side and the receiving members 31 and 77 are disposed on the bracket 2 (2A) side (body 1 side) are exemplified. However, a clip having a configuration in which a receiving member is disposed on the case side and an insertion member is disposed on the body side may be used as the clip.

  In the embodiment, the knee protecting airbag device S disposed below the grab box 64 and protecting the knee K of the occupant MD is taken as an example. However, the knee protecting airbag device of the present invention is described. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to a knee protection airbag device disposed below the steering column in order to protect the occupant's knees seated in the driver's seat.

It is the front view which looked at the airbag apparatus for knee protection which is one Embodiment of this invention from the vehicle rear side. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle front-back direction of the vehicle mounted state in the airbag apparatus for knee protection of embodiment. It is a schematic front view of the airbag apparatus for knee protection of embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the IV-IV site | part of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the VV site | part of FIG. It is a schematic exploded perspective view which shows the airbag cover and case in the airbag apparatus for knee protection of embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the combined state with the body side in the airbag apparatus for knee protection of embodiment, and is a figure which shows the VII-VII site | part of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the attachment state to the body side of the upper side attaching part in the airbag apparatus for knee protection of embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the IX-IX site | part of FIG. It is a front view of the receiving member in the clip used for the airbag apparatus for knee protection of an embodiment. It is a rear view of the receiving member in the clip used for the airbag apparatus for knee protection of embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the XII-XII site | part of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the XIII-XIII site | part of FIG. In the clip of an embodiment, it is an outline sectional view showing the locking process to the receiving member side of an insertion member. In the clip of an embodiment, it is a schematic sectional view showing the locking process to the receiving member side of an insertion member, and is a figure showing the process after Drawing 14. In the clip of an embodiment, it is an outline sectional view showing the process of removing an insertion member from a receiving member side. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the process of removing an insertion member from a receiving member side in the clip of embodiment, and is a figure which shows the process after FIG. It is a front view which shows the clip which is the other form of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the IXX-IXX site | part of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the XX-XX site | part of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Body
2.3 ... Bracket,
4 ... Undercover,
5 ... Instrument panel,
7 ... Case,
17 ... Upper side mounting part,
18 ... Lower side mounting part,
19 ... Bolt,
21 ... Clip,
22: Insertion member,
26: Attachment piece (elastic deformation locking portion),
27 ... Mounting head,
28… Attaching neck,
31 ... receiving member,
32 ... body part (rigid locking part),
33 ... locking hole,
34 ... opening for insertion,
35 ... Guide part,
39 ... Opening for protrusion,
40 ... small hole,
41 ... Large hole,
45 ... Inflator,
52 ... Airbag,
54 ... Airbag cover,
62 ... door part,
69 ... clip,
70: Insertion member,
72 ... locking piece part (rigid locking part),
73 ... protruding part,
74 ... neck,
77 ... receiving member,
79 ... locking part (elastic deformation locking part),
K (KL / KR) ... Knee,
MP ... Crew,
S: Air bag device for knee protection.

Claims (2)

Placed in front of the knees of the seated occupant,
A case having a bottomed box shape that houses a folded airbag and an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag, and includes an opening that can project the airbag; and
An airbag cover configured to cover the opening of the case and have a door portion that can be opened when the airbag is deployed and inflated;
Configured with
Assembling the airbag, the inflator, and the airbag cover to the case to form an airbag assembly,
A knee protection airbag device configured to be mounted on a vehicle by mounting and fixing the airbag assembly on the vehicle body side using a plurality of mounting portions disposed in the case,
The upper side mounting portion disposed on the upper side of the case is configured to be fixed to the vehicle body side using a clip.
The lower side mounting portion disposed on the lower side of the case is configured to be fixed to the body side of the vehicle using a bolt,
The clip is
An insertion member disposed on one of the body side or the case side and a receiving member disposed on the other side are configured, and
If the insertion member is inserted into the receiving member side, the insertion member or the elastic deformation locking portion formed on one of the insertion member or the receiving member is bent and restored. It is configured to be able to be coupled to the case and the body side by being engaged with a rigid engagement portion formed on the other of the receiving members and having rigidity, and
In the locked state, the elastic deformation locking portion is elastically deformed to release the locking with the rigid locking portion, and the insertion member is pulled out from the receiving member, and the case and the body side An air bag apparatus for protecting a knee, characterized in that the coupling can be released. The insertion member includes a rod-like attachment piece portion as the elastic deformation locking portion that extends along the insertion direction toward the receiving member and is elastically deformable.
The attachment piece is configured to include an attachment head disposed at the tip in the insertion direction, and an attachment neck that is elastically deformable with a width narrower than the attachment head.
A rigid locking portion disposed on the receiving member,
An insertion side opening into which the attachment head at the time of insertion can be inserted; and
A projection-side opening that is continuous with the insertion-side opening through a guide portion, and is capable of projecting the attachment head; and
Having a locking hole that can lock the mounting head in the mounting piece,
The protruding side opening is
A small hole that opens to the insertion direction side of the attachment piece portion in the insertion side opening, allows the attachment neck portion extending from the insertion side opening to be inserted, and locks the attachment head to the periphery. ,
A large hole communicated with the small hole, having a larger opening area than the small hole, and capable of being inserted through the attachment head;
Configured with
The guide portion is configured to guide the attachment head inserted from the insertion side opening to the large hole while allowing the attachment neck portion to bend so that the attachment head can protrude from the protrusion side opening.
The attachment piece portion in which the attachment head is locked to the periphery of the small hole is bent so as to move the attachment head to the large hole side, and the attachment head is moved from the large hole. The knee protection airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the knee protection airbag device can be pulled out to release a locked state between the receiving member and the insertion member.

Images