JP2009083617A - Knee airbag device - Google Patents

Knee airbag device Download PDF

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JP2009083617A
JP2009083617A JP2007254685A JP2007254685A JP2009083617A JP 2009083617 A JP2009083617 A JP 2009083617A JP 2007254685 A JP2007254685 A JP 2007254685A JP 2007254685 A JP2007254685 A JP 2007254685A JP 2009083617 A JP2009083617 A JP 2009083617A
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airbag
knee
driver
wall portion
steering column
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JP4954003B2 (en
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Juichi Umehara
寿一 梅原
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Nihon Plast Co Ltd
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Nihon Plast Co Ltd
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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of incapable of softly restricting knees in a collision, since pressure of one large air chamber further increases when trying to restrain bottom reaching, while it is necessary to increase pressure of a bag, since there is risk of one knee touching a vehicle body panel so as to reach the bottom, when the pressure easily moves to an untouched side air chamber from a touched side air chamber, when the one knee touches first or touches further strongly, since right-left knees of an occupant do not simultaneously equally touch a knee airbag in the collision. <P>SOLUTION: The airbag 1 expands toward the front of both knees of a driver in a space between the lower limbs of the driver, and has a front wall part 11 on the vehicle side and a rear wall part 12 on the driver side, and has a central part in the vehicle lateral direction in a small thickness positioned in response to a steering column and a side part of a large thickness positioned on the right and left of the central part corresponding to a lower part of an instrument panel on both sides of the steering column. In this knee airbag device, the central part and the side part are partitioned by a plurality of partition walls 20 for partitioning the inside of the airbag in the longitudinal direction crossing with the vehicle lateral direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は車両に取り付けられ、着座した運転者や助手席搭乗者等の乗員の膝を保護することを可能にしたニーエアバッグ装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a knee airbag device that is attached to a vehicle and that can protect a knee of an occupant such as a seated driver or a passenger on a passenger seat.

エアバッグは、車両の衝突における乗員への衝撃を吸収緩和する手段として今日広く普及し、設置場所も運転席だけでなく、助手席、車体側面、乗員膝部と様々な種類が採用されている。エアバッグは車両の衝突等に即応して、瞬時に展開し、乗員を受け止めるもので、展開が速く円滑であることが重要である。
エアバッグ装置は、乗員を受け止め衝撃を緩和するエアバッグと、エアバッグを膨らませるためのガスを発生するインフレータと、起動前の状態として折り畳まれたエアバッグを収納するとともにエアバッグとインフレータとを接続状態に支持する容器部と、用途に応じて適宜樹脂や布などで構成したカバーなどからなっている。
従来例としては、着座した乗員の膝の前方側の下方に、取り付けられるとともに折り畳まれて収納されたエアバッグが、膨張時、収納部位から車両後方側へ突出しつつ上方へ展開膨張して、乗員の脛付近から膝頭付近までの前方側に配設されるとともに、膨張完了時の乗員側に配置される乗員側壁部と、車体側に配置される車体側壁部と、を相互に連結する厚さ規制用のテザーを、少なくとも上下二段に配設させて、構成される膝保護用エアバッグ装置であって、前記エアバッグが、前記上下二段のテザーにおける前記乗員側壁部との連結部位相互を、前記上下二段のテザーにおける前記車体側壁部との連結部位相互の上下方向の離隔距離より、短い離隔距離として、膨張完了時における前記脛の前方付近の上下に、配設させるとともに、膨張完了時の左右方向の幅寸法として、前記上下二段のテザーにおける下テザーの前記乗員側壁部への連結部位より上方側の部位を、前記乗員の両膝の膝頭付近を保護可能な幅広の幅寸法とし、かつ、前記下テザーの前記乗員側壁部への連結部位より下方側の部位を、下狭まりとするように構成されている膝保護用エアバッグ装置（例えば、特許文献１参照）が存在している。
特開２００３−２６７１７８号公報（特許請求の範囲の欄、発明の詳細な説明の欄、及び図１〜図１０を参照） Airbags are widely used today as a means to absorb and mitigate shocks to passengers in vehicle collisions, and are installed not only in the driver's seat, but also in the passenger seat, body side, and passenger knee. . Airbags are instantly deployed in response to vehicle collisions, etc., and catch an occupant. It is important that the airbag be deployed quickly and smoothly.
The airbag device receives an occupant and relaxes an impact, an inflator that generates gas for inflating the airbag, an airbag folded as a state before activation, and an airbag and an inflator. It consists of a container portion that is supported in a connected state, a cover that is made of resin, cloth, or the like as appropriate according to the application.
As a conventional example, an airbag that is attached and folded and stored below the front side of the knee of a seated occupant is deployed and inflated upward while projecting from the storage part to the vehicle rear side when inflated. The thickness of the occupant side wall portion disposed on the occupant side when the inflation is completed and the vehicle body side wall portion disposed on the vehicle body side are mutually connected. A knee protection airbag device configured by disposing a tether for regulation in at least two upper and lower stages, wherein the airbag is connected to the occupant side wall portion of the two upper and lower tethers. Is arranged at the top and bottom near the front of the shin when the inflation is completed as a separation distance shorter than the separation distance in the vertical direction between the connecting portions of the two-stage upper and lower tethers to the vehicle body side wall. As a width dimension in the left-right direction when completed, a wide width capable of protecting the upper part of the upper and lower two-stage tethers above the connection part of the lower tether to the occupant side wall portion and the vicinity of the kneecaps of both occupants There is a knee protection airbag device (see, for example, Patent Document 1) that is sized and configured so that a portion below the connecting portion of the lower tether to the occupant side wall portion is narrowed downward. is doing.
JP 2003-267178 A (refer to the claims section, detailed description section, and FIGS. 1 to 10)

前記従来技術では、左右方向にテザーを縫い付けてある。テザーの左右長は短く、その側部にはテザーがなくガス通路になっている。ステアリングコラムに対応する部分にテザーが位置し、Ｖ字状に前後基布壁部を引っ張り、屈曲形状を得ている。
そして、左右側部が上下方向にも左右方向にも大きな気室を形成し、左右のガスの移動も自由である。ステアリングコラムの左右に非常に大きく分厚い気室が形成され、運転者の膝に近接して展開する。
しかしながら、車体衝突時に乗員の左膝と右膝が膝用エアバッグに同時に等しく当たるとは限らない。膝の一方が先に当たる、またはより強く当たると、当たった方の気室（一方の大きな気室）から当たらない方の気室（他方の大きな気室）に圧が容易に移動し、膝の一方が車体壁部に底づきするように当たる恐れがあるため、底づきしないようにバッグの圧力を高めにする必要がある。しかし、底づきを抑えようとすれば他方の大きな気室の圧力が一層高まってしまい、衝突時のソフトな膝拘束をさせることが難しい。
本発明は、前記問題を解決し、車体衝突時の膝に対する適切な保護が可能なニーエアバッグ装置を提供することを目的とするものである。 In the prior art, tethers are sewn in the left-right direction. The left and right length of the tether is short, and there is no tether on its side to form a gas passage. A tether is located at a portion corresponding to the steering column, and a bent shape is obtained by pulling the front and rear base fabric wall portions in a V shape.
The left and right side portions form large air chambers in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and the movement of the left and right gases is also free. Very large and thick air chambers are formed on the left and right of the steering column, and are deployed close to the driver's knees.
However, the occupant's left and right knees do not always hit the knee airbag at the same time during a vehicle collision. When one of the knees hits first or more strongly, the pressure easily moves from the air chamber that hits it (one large air chamber) to the air chamber that does not hit (the other large air chamber). Since one side may hit the bottom of the vehicle body, it is necessary to increase the pressure of the bag so as not to bottom. However, if the bottom is suppressed, the pressure of the other large air chamber is further increased, and it is difficult to perform soft knee restraint at the time of collision.
An object of the present invention is to provide a knee airbag device capable of solving the above-described problems and capable of appropriately protecting the knee at the time of a vehicle body collision.

上記課題を解決するための本発明の第１発明は、請求項１に記載された通りのニーエアバッグ装置であり、次のようなものである。
運転席のステアリングコラムの下方に設置され、ステアリングコラムと運転者の下肢との間の空間を運転者の両膝の前方に向かって展開するエアバッグと、そのエアバッグに接続されエアバッグを膨張させる膨張ガスを発生するインフレータとを備え、そのエアバッグは、車両前方に面する前方壁部と運転者に面する後方壁部とを備え、膨張展開した際に、ステアリングコラムに対応して位置する小厚で車両左右方向における中央部と、ステアリングコラムの両側のインストルメントパネルのロア部に対応する前記中央部の左右に位置して、大厚の側部を備え、前記中央部と側部とは、前記車両左右方向に交差する縦方向にエアバッグ内部を区画する複数の隔壁によって区画される構成である。 A first invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a knee airbag device as described in claim 1, and is as follows.
An airbag installed below the steering column in the driver's seat and deploying the space between the steering column and the driver's lower limbs toward the front of the driver's knees, and the airbag connected to the airbag is inflated And an inflator for generating inflation gas, and the airbag includes a front wall portion facing the front of the vehicle and a rear wall portion facing the driver, and is positioned corresponding to the steering column when inflated and deployed. A central portion in the lateral direction of the vehicle with a small thickness, and located on the left and right of the central portion corresponding to the lower portion of the instrument panel on both sides of the steering column, and having a thick side portion, the central portion and the side portion Is a configuration defined by a plurality of partition walls that divide the interior of the airbag in a longitudinal direction that intersects the vehicle lateral direction.

上記課題を解決するための本発明の第２発明は、請求項２に記載された通りのニーエアバッグ装置であり、次のようなものである。
請求項１に記載の発明に加えて、複数の隔壁は、前方壁部と後方壁部とを、相隣する二の隔壁の結合間隔が、前方壁部における結合間隔より、後方壁部における結合間隔の方が大きい構成である。 A second invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a knee airbag device as described in claim 2, and is as follows.
In addition to the first aspect of the invention, the plurality of partition walls may be connected to the front wall portion and the rear wall portion in the rear wall portion so that the connection interval between the two adjacent partition walls is greater than the connection interval in the front wall portion. The interval is larger.

上記課題を解決するための本発明の第３発明は、請求項３に記載された通りのニーエアバッグ装置であり、次のようなものである。
請求項１に記載の発明に加えて、複数の隔壁は、略ジグザグに折り返されて前方壁部と後方壁部とを連結し、相隣する二の隔壁が、中央部側の隔壁長より側部側の隔壁長の方が大きい構成である。 A third invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a knee airbag device as described in claim 3, which is as follows.
In addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of partition walls are folded back substantially zigzag to connect the front wall portion and the rear wall portion, and the two adjacent partition walls are located on the side of the partition wall length on the center side. The partition wall length on the part side is larger.

本発明に係るニーエアバッグ装置は、上記説明のような構成であるので、以下に記載する効果を奏する。
（１）請求項１に記載の発明によると、左右のガス移動を抑制でき、衝突時にソフトな膝拘束が可能であり、ステアリングコラムを回避して展開することができ、膝に対する適切な保護を提供することができる。
（２）請求項２に記載の発明によると、ニーエアバッグ装置がステアリングコラムを回避し、よりインストルメントパネルのロア部に向って屈曲し、位置が安定できる。
（３）請求項３に記載の発明によると、ニーエアバッグ装置がステアリングコラムを回避し、よりインストルメントパネルのロア部に向って屈曲し、位置が安定できる構造を簡易に構成することができる。 Since the knee airbag device according to the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects are achieved.
(1) According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the movement of the gas to the left and right, to perform soft knee restraint at the time of collision, and to deploy while avoiding the steering column, and to provide appropriate protection for the knee. Can be provided.
(2) According to the invention described in claim 2, the knee airbag device avoids the steering column, bends more toward the lower portion of the instrument panel, and can stabilize the position.
(3) According to the invention described in claim 3, it is possible to easily construct a structure in which the knee airbag device avoids the steering column, bends more toward the lower portion of the instrument panel, and can stabilize the position. .

運転席のステアリングコラムの下方に設置され、ステアリングコラムと運転者の下肢との間の空間を運転者の両膝の前方に向かって展開するエアバッグと、そのエアバッグに接続されエアバッグを膨張させる膨張ガスを発生するインフレータとを備え、そのエアバッグは、車両前方に面する前方壁部と運転者に面する後方壁部とを備え、ステアリングコラムに対応して位置する小厚で車両左右方向における中央部と、ステアリングコラムの両側のインストルメントパネルのロア部に対応する前記中央部の左右に位置して、大厚の側部を備え、前記中央部と側部とは、前記車両左右方向に交差する縦方向にエアバッグ内部を区画する略ジグザグに折り返されて前方壁部と後方壁部とを連結し、相隣する二の隔壁が、中央部側の隔壁長より側部側の隔壁長の方が大きい複数の隔壁によって区画されるニーエアバッグ装置である。   An airbag installed under the steering column of the driver's seat and deploying the space between the steering column and the driver's lower limbs toward the front of the driver's knees, and the airbag connected to the airbag is inflated And an inflator that generates inflation gas, and the airbag includes a front wall portion facing the front of the vehicle and a rear wall portion facing the driver, and is small and positioned on the left and right sides of the vehicle corresponding to the steering column. A central portion in the direction, and located on the left and right of the central portion corresponding to the lower portion of the instrument panel on both sides of the steering column, with thick side portions, the central portion and the side portions The front wall and the rear wall are connected to each other by folding back in a substantially zigzag manner that divides the inside of the airbag in the longitudinal direction that intersects the direction. It is a knee air bag device which is partitioned by a partition wall length a plurality of partition walls it is larger.

以下、本発明の一実施例を添付図面で詳細に説明する。
図１は、本発明のニーエアバッグ装置で（ａ）展開状態を示す概略正面図、（ｂ）展開状態を示すＢ−Ｂ線断面図、（ｃ）展開状態を示すＡ−Ａ線断面図、図２は、本発明のニーエアバッグ装置の衝突時のエアバッグ展開状態を示す概略側面図、図３は、本発明のニーエアバッグ装置のエアバッグ展開開始時の乗員膝部とニーエアバッグの位置関係を車体上部から見た概略正断面図、図４は、本発明のニーエアバッグ装置のエアバッグ展開完了時の状態を示す概略正断面図、図５は、本発明の第一実施例における変形例を示す概略正断面図、図６は、本発明のニーエアバッグ装置をハウジングに収納する際の（ａ）折り畳み途中の状態を示す概略縦断面図、（ｂ）ニーエアバッグを折り畳み、ラッピングを施してハウジングに入れる状態にしたものを示す概略斜視図、図７は、本発明のニーエアバッグ装置の第二実施例で（ａ）エアバッグが膨張展開し始めた状態を示す概略断面図、（ｂ）エアバッグが膨張展開した状態を示す概略断面図、図８は、本発明のニーエアバッグ装置の第三実施例の展開状態を示す概略正面図、図９は、本発明のニーエアバッグ装置の第三実施例におけるエアバッグ展開完了時の状態を示す概略正断面図である。 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1A is a schematic front view showing a deployed state of the knee airbag device of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along line BB showing the deployed state, and FIG. 1C is a sectional view taken along line AA showing the deployed state. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an airbag deployment state at the time of a collision of the knee airbag device of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an occupant knee and knee airbag at the start of airbag deployment of the knee airbag device of the present invention. 4 is a schematic front sectional view of the positional relationship of the bag as viewed from the top of the vehicle body. FIG. 4 is a schematic front sectional view showing a state when the airbag deployment of the knee airbag device of the present invention is completed. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic front sectional view showing a modification of the embodiment, FIG. 6A is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state in the middle of folding when the knee airbag device of the present invention is housed in a housing, and FIG. 6B is a knee airbag. Fold and wrap and put it in the housing FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a thing, FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing a state in which the airbag has started to be inflated and deployed in the second embodiment of the knee airbag device of the present invention, and (b) the airbag is inflated and deployed. FIG. 8 is a schematic front view showing a developed state of the third embodiment of the knee airbag device of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a diagram of the third embodiment of the knee airbag device of the present invention. It is a general | schematic front sectional view which shows the state at the time of completion of airbag deployment.

先ず、図面に基づいて本発明のニーエアバッグ装置の第一実施例について詳細に説明する。
図１に示すように、エアバッグ１は、膝用エアバッグであり、インストルメント側壁部１１と乗員側壁部１２と、補強パッチ１３、１４、防炎パッチ１５、隔壁パネル２０からなり、ナイロン６６の３１５デニール系で織った一般的な織布である。前記壁部１１、１２及び補強パッチ１３並びに隔壁パネル２０は、シリコーンラバー等をコーティングしないノンコート布帛からなり、他のパネルは、シリコーンラバーを３０ｇ／ｍ２程度コートしたものを使用している。
インストルメント側壁部１１には通孔３０が所定間隔で４箇所開けられている。そして外周を本縫い、二重環縫い等して縫製してバッグ形状とし、内部を隔壁パネル２０で図１（ｂ）のようにジグザグに連結する。なお、ステッチ２１、２２、２３はいずれも図１（ａ）の縦方向に沿って設けられている。
この縦に隔壁パネル２０を設けることによって、ニーエアバッグ１を複数部分に略分割することが可能であり、それぞれの部分の膨張時の厚さを変更することなどが可能である。（例えば、本実施例のように中央部を小厚、中央部の左右側部を大厚にして衝突時の膝部９の位置規制に有効な形状にすることも可能であるし、中央部を左右側部より大厚にすることも可能である。）
さらに、例えば、車体衝突角度が斜めの場合、膝の一方が先に当たる、またはより強く当たるというように、車体衝突時に乗員の左膝と右膝が膝用エアバッグに同時に等しく当たらなかった場合でも、ニーエアバッグ１の隔壁パネル２０を縦方向に形成させることにより、質量体であるエアバッグに噴出されるガスが衝突の衝撃により一方に移動してしまったり、一方の膝部９が先に当たった部分のガスが膝部９に押されて移動してしまうというようなことを縦に設けられた隔壁パネル２０によって防ぎ、ニーエアバッグ１が適切に膨張展開することが可能である。
スタッドボルト付きの棒状インフレータ、または棒状インフレータ３４を収容したスタッドボルト９９付きの筒状容器を、エアバッグ１内に基布１６の開口から内部に入れ、基布１６を中折線１７で２つ折りにし、各スタッドボルト９９を２つの孔３０に通し、ジャバラ折り、またはロール折りを適宜組み合せて折り畳み、ラップ布１８を掛けて折り崩れないように保持する。これをハウジング４０の奥側の通孔４１にスタッドボルト９９を通すようにして組み合せ、フランジ付きナット９８で締結する。エアバッグ装置の車体への取り付けは、ハウジング４０に溶接等して設けられたブラケット４２により適宜ビス等を使用して行う｛図６（ａ）、（ｂ）参照｝。 First, a first embodiment of the knee airbag device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag 1 is a knee airbag, and includes an instrument side wall portion 11, an occupant side wall portion 12, reinforcing patches 13 and 14, a flameproof patch 15, and a partition panel 20. This is a general woven fabric woven with 315 denier. The walls 11 and 12, the reinforcing patch 13, and the partition panel 20 are made of a non-coated fabric that is not coated with silicone rubber or the like, and the other panels are coated with about 30 g / m 2 of silicone rubber.
The instrument side wall portion 11 has four through holes 30 at predetermined intervals. Then, the outer periphery is sewn by double-stitching or the like to form a bag shape, and the interior is connected to the zigzag by the partition panel 20 as shown in FIG. The stitches 21, 22 and 23 are all provided along the vertical direction of FIG.
By providing the partition panel 20 vertically, the knee airbag 1 can be substantially divided into a plurality of parts, and the thickness of each part when inflated can be changed. (For example, as in this embodiment, it is possible to make the central part small and thick on the left and right sides of the central part to make the shape effective for position regulation of the knee 9 at the time of collision. Can be made thicker than the left and right sides.)
Furthermore, even if the left and right knees of the occupant do not hit the knee airbag at the same time at the time of the vehicle collision, for example, when the vehicle collision angle is oblique, one of the knees hits first or more strongly By forming the partition panel 20 of the knee airbag 1 in the vertical direction, the gas ejected to the airbag, which is a mass body, moves to one side due to the impact of the collision, or the one knee portion 9 comes first. It is possible to prevent the gas in the hit portion from being pushed and moved by the knee 9 by the partition panel 20 provided vertically, and the knee airbag 1 can be appropriately inflated and deployed.
A rod-like inflator with stud bolts or a cylindrical container with stud bolts 99 containing the rod-like inflator 34 is put into the airbag 1 from the opening of the base fabric 16, and the base fabric 16 is folded in two along the folding line 17. Each stud bolt 99 is passed through the two holes 30 and folded by appropriately combining bellows folding or roll folding, and the wrap cloth 18 is hung and held so as not to collapse. These are combined by passing the stud bolt 99 through the through hole 41 on the back side of the housing 40 and fastened with a nut 98 with a flange. The airbag device is attached to the vehicle body by using screws or the like as appropriate by a bracket 42 that is welded to the housing 40 {see FIGS. 6A and 6B}.

図２は、エアバッグ１の展開状態を模式的に示しているもので、実験用ダミー６がシート５に着座した状態で膝部９がニーエアバッグ１に対向している。
本発明の特徴は、衝突時の膝部９の前進を規制することにより腰部６１の前方への移動がなくなり、胸部６２が腰部６１を中心に前傾する。その後に、肩ベルトのテンションリミットが効き、前傾する胸部６２の動きが止められる。そのため、乗員の膝部９の保護と共に、ハンドル７センターに設けられたエアバッグモジュール８のエアバッグ８８が頭部６３に対してベストポジションを取ることになるため、最良の乗員保護をもたらすことである。
このような膨張展開をするニーエアバッグを得るためにニーエアバッグ１の隔壁パネル２０は、ステッチ２１、２２、２３の間隔が次第に広がるようにジグザグに設けられている｛図１（ｂ）参照｝。
このことにより、ニーエアバッグ１は、横の広がりとしては図３、図４に示すように、ステッチ２１、２２、２３の位置を変えることにより、真ん中はあまり膝部９側には膨張せず、左右端部側は大きく膨張して膝部９の前進を規制することができるようになっている。また、縦の広がりとしては、ステッチ２１、２２、２３の配置によってインストルメントパネル面に吸い付くように膨張展開していくため、インストルメントパネルに沿って上側に展開していき、エアバッグ展開時にニーエアバッグ１が前方に展開して乗員膝部９にぶつかってしまうことを防ぎ、適確に上方に膨張展開することができる。 FIG. 2 schematically shows the deployed state of the airbag 1, with the knee 9 facing the knee airbag 1 with the experimental dummy 6 seated on the seat 5.
The feature of the present invention is that by restricting the advancement of the knee 9 at the time of a collision, the waist 61 is prevented from moving forward, and the chest 62 tilts forward around the waist 61. After that, the tension limit of the shoulder belt is effective, and the movement of the chest 62 tilting forward is stopped. Therefore, the airbag 88 of the airbag module 8 provided at the center of the handle 7 takes the best position with respect to the head 63 as well as protecting the occupant's knee 9, thereby providing the best occupant protection. is there.
In order to obtain a knee airbag that inflates and expands like this, the partition panel 20 of the knee airbag 1 is provided in a zigzag so that the intervals between the stitches 21, 22, and 23 are gradually widened {see FIG. 1 (b). }.
As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the knee airbag 1 does not expand to the knee 9 side in the middle by changing the positions of the stitches 21, 22, and 23 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The left and right end sides are greatly expanded so that the advance of the knee 9 can be restricted. In addition, as the vertical spread, in order to inflate and deploy so as to stick to the instrument panel surface by the arrangement of the stitches 21, 22, 23, it is deployed upward along the instrument panel, when the airbag is deployed It is possible to prevent the knee airbag 1 from being deployed forward and colliding with the occupant knee 9, and can be inflated and deployed accurately upward.

また、図５に示すように、ニーエアバッグ１のインストルメントパネル側壁部１１の中央縦ステッチ２１を一つにすることも可能である。   Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, it is also possible to make the center vertical stitch 21 of the instrument panel side wall part 11 of the knee airbag 1 into one.

次に本発明のニーエアバッグ装置の他の実施例について図面に基づいて説明する。
図７に示すものは、ニーエアバッグ１の乗員側壁部１２の一部を長くして弛ませた第二実施例である｛図７（ａ）参照｝。このことによって、ニーエアバッグ１膨張展開時に、インストルメントパネル側壁部１１側の短い基布によって乗員側壁部１２が引っ張られ、ニーエアバッグ１がより上方に展開し易いようにしたもので、さらに弛ませた部分が大きく前に拡がろうとするため、より膝部９の前進規制、衝撃保護に効果的である。
図８に示すものは、本発明の第三実施例であり、ニーエアバッグ１内の隔壁パネル２０へのステッチの形状を変えたものであり、より膝部９に対するエアバッグ部が大きく膨張できるように設けているものである。図９は、前記第三実施例の展開膨張をしたニーエアバッグ１を示した縦断面図であり、点線部が短いステッチ部分、実線部は略台形状のステッチを表わしたものである。
なお、詳細な説明は、前記第一実施例と同様なため、詳細な説明は省略する。 Next, another embodiment of the knee airbag device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment in which a part of the passenger side wall 12 of the knee airbag 1 is lengthened and slackened {see FIG. 7A}. As a result, when the knee airbag 1 is inflated and deployed, the passenger side wall portion 12 is pulled by the short base fabric on the instrument panel side wall portion 11 side so that the knee airbag 1 can be more easily deployed upward. Since the slackened portion tends to expand greatly forward, it is more effective for forward regulation of the knee 9 and impact protection.
FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the shape of stitches to the partition panel 20 in the knee airbag 1 is changed, and the airbag portion with respect to the knee portion 9 can be inflated more greatly. It is provided as follows. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the knee airbag 1 which has been expanded and inflated according to the third embodiment, wherein the dotted line portion represents a short stitch portion and the solid line portion represents a substantially trapezoidal stitch.
Since the detailed description is the same as that of the first embodiment, the detailed description is omitted.

なお、エアバッグの基布を大きくワイドにすることによって、助手席でも使用することが可能にすることも考えられる。   It is also conceivable that the airbag can be used in a passenger seat by making the base fabric of the airbag wide and wide.

各種自動車のニーエアバッグ装置として利用することができるものである。   It can be used as a knee airbag device for various automobiles.

本発明のニーエアバッグ装置で（ａ）展開状態を示す概略正面図、（ｂ）展開状態を示すＢ−Ｂ線断面図、（ｃ）展開状態を示すＡ−Ａ線断面図である。In the knee airbag device of the present invention, (a) a schematic front view showing a deployed state, (b) a sectional view taken along the line BB showing the deployed state, and (c) a sectional view taken along the line AA showing the deployed state. 本発明のニーエアバッグ装置の衝突時のエアバッグ展開状態を示す概略側面図である。It is a schematic side view which shows the airbag deployment state at the time of the collision of the knee airbag apparatus of this invention. 本発明のニーエアバッグ装置のエアバッグ展開開始時の乗員膝部とニーエアバッグの位置関係を車体上部から見た概略正断面図である。It is the general | schematic front sectional view which looked at the positional relationship of the passenger | crew knee part and knee airbag at the time of the airbag deployment start of the knee airbag apparatus of this invention from the vehicle body upper part. 本発明のニーエアバッグ装置のエアバッグ展開完了時の状態を示す概略正断面図である。It is a general | schematic front sectional view which shows the state at the time of completion | finish of airbag deployment of the knee airbag apparatus of this invention. 本発明の第一実施例における変形例を示す概略正断面図である。It is a general | schematic front sectional view which shows the modification in the 1st Example of this invention. 本発明のニーエアバッグ装置をハウジングに収納する際の（ａ）折り畳み途中の状態を示す概略縦断面図、（ｂ）ニーエアバッグを折り畳み、ラッピングを施してハウジングに入れる状態にしたものを示す概略斜視図である。(A) When the knee airbag device of the present invention is housed in a housing, (a) a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a state in the middle of folding, (b) a state in which the knee airbag is folded and lapped into a housing. It is a schematic perspective view. 本発明のニーエアバッグ装置の第二実施例で（ａ）エアバッグが膨張展開し始めた状態を示す概略断面図、（ｂ）エアバッグが膨張展開した状態を示す概略断面図である。In the second embodiment of the knee airbag device of the present invention, (a) a schematic sectional view showing a state in which the airbag has started to be inflated and deployed, and (b) a schematic sectional view showing a state in which the airbag is inflated and deployed. 本発明のニーエアバッグ装置の第三実施例の展開状態を示す概略正面図である。It is a schematic front view which shows the expanded state of the 3rd Example of the knee airbag apparatus of this invention. 本発明のニーエアバッグ装置の第三実施例におけるエアバッグ展開完了時の状態を示す概略正断面図である。FIG. 5 is a schematic front sectional view showing a state when airbag deployment is completed in a third embodiment of the knee airbag device of the present invention.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１・・・・ニーエアバッグ ５・・・・シート
６・・・・ダミー人形 ７・・・・ハンドル
８・・・・エアバッグモジュール ９・・・・膝部
１０・・・・インストルメントパネル １１・・・・インストルメントパネル側壁部
１２・・・・乗員側壁部 １３・・・・補強パッチ
１４・・・・補強パッチ １５・・・・防炎パッチ
１６・・・・基布 １７・・・・中折線
１８・・・・ラップ布 ２０・・・・隔壁パネル
２１・・・・ステッチ ２２・・・・ステッチ
２３・・・・ステッチ ３０・・・・通孔
３４・・・・インフレータ ４０・・・・ハウジング
４１・・・・通孔 ４２・・・・ブラケット
６１・・・・腰部 ６２・・・・胸部
６３・・・・頭部 ８８・・・・エアバッグ
９８・・・・フランジ付ナット ９９・・・・スタッドボルト 1 ... Knee airbag 5 ... Seat 6 ... Dummy doll 7 ... Handle 8 ... Airbag module 9 ... Knee 10 ... Instrument panel DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Instrument panel side wall part 12 ... Passenger side wall part 13 ... Reinforcement patch 14 ... Reinforcement patch 15 ... Flameproof patch 16 ... Base cloth 17 ... ··· Folding line 18 ··· Wrap cloth 20 ··· Partition wall 21 ··· Stitch 22 ··· Stitch 23 · · · Stitch 30 · · · Through hole 34 · · · Inflator 40・ ・ ・ ・ Housing 41 ・ ・ ・ ・ Through hole 42 ・ ・ ・ ・ Bracket 61 ・ ・ ・ ・ Lumbar 62 ・ ・ ・ ・ Chest 63 ・ ・ ・ ・ Head 88 ・ ・ ・ ・ Airbag 98 ・ ・ ・ ・ Flange With nut 99 ... Stud bolt

Claims (3)

運転席のステアリングコラムの下方に設置され、ステアリングコラムと運転者の下肢との間の空間を運転者の両膝の前方に向かって展開するエアバッグと、そのエアバッグに接続されエアバッグを膨張させる膨張ガスを発生するインフレータとを備え、そのエアバッグは、車両前方に面する前方壁部と運転者に面する後方壁部とを備え、膨張展開した際に、ステアリングコラムに対応して位置する小厚で車両左右方向における中央部と、ステアリングコラムの両側のインストルメントパネルのロア部に対応する前記中央部の左右に位置して、大厚の側部を備え、前記中央部と側部とは、前記車両左右方向に交差する縦方向にエアバッグ内部を区画する複数の隔壁によって区画されることを特徴とするニーエアバッグ装置。 An airbag installed under the steering column of the driver's seat and deploying the space between the steering column and the driver's lower limbs toward the front of the driver's knees, and the airbag connected to the airbag is inflated And an inflator for generating inflation gas, and the airbag includes a front wall portion facing the front of the vehicle and a rear wall portion facing the driver, and is positioned corresponding to the steering column when inflated and deployed. A central portion in the lateral direction of the vehicle with a small thickness, and located on the left and right of the central portion corresponding to the lower portion of the instrument panel on both sides of the steering column, and having a thick side portion, the central portion and the side portion Is defined by a plurality of partitions that divide the interior of the airbag in a longitudinal direction that intersects the vehicle lateral direction. 複数の隔壁は、前方壁部と後方壁部とを、相隣する二の隔壁の結合間隔が、前方壁部における結合間隔より、後方壁部における結合間隔の方が大きいことを特徴とする請求項１に記載のニーエアバッグ装置。 The plurality of partition walls are characterized in that the coupling interval between the two partition walls adjacent to each other between the front wall portion and the rear wall portion is larger in the coupling interval in the rear wall portion than the coupling interval in the front wall portion. Item 2. The knee airbag device according to Item 1. 複数の隔壁は、略ジグザグに折り返されて前方壁部と後方壁部とを連結し、相隣する二の隔壁が、中央部側の隔壁長より側部側の隔壁長の方が大きいことを特徴とする請求項１に記載のニーエアバッグ装置。 The plurality of partition walls are folded back in a substantially zigzag manner to connect the front wall portion and the rear wall portion, and the two adjacent partition walls are larger in the side wall length than the central partition wall length. The knee airbag device according to claim 1, wherein
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WO2011070969A1 (en) * 2009-12-10 2011-06-16 タカタ株式会社 Air bag device for lateral collision, vehicle seat, gas rectifier for inflator, and method of mounting gas rectifier on inflator
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US20190061667A1 (en) * 2015-10-28 2019-02-28 Takata Corporation Occupant leg restraint device
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JP2018149841A (en) * 2017-03-10 2018-09-27 Ｊｏｙｓｏｎ Ｓａｆｅｔｙ Ｓｙｓｔｅｍｓ Ｊａｐａｎ株式会社 Knee airbag and knee airbag device
US20220306035A1 (en) * 2019-06-26 2022-09-29 Autoliv Development Ab Knee airbag, knee airbag module and steering assembly
US11814001B2 (en) * 2019-06-26 2023-11-14 Autoliv Development Ab Knee airbag, knee airbag module and steering assembly

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