JP2010111323A - Knee airbag device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly constrain knees of an occupant also when lower limbs of the occupant are close to a glove door when an airbag door includes a lower side door deployed to at least a vehicle lower side. <P>SOLUTION: This airbag door 54 includes an upper side door 54 and the lower side door 54B, and is deployed in the vehicle vertical direction when deployed. In the center at a rear face side of the lower side door 54B, a groove 100 is formed along the vehicle width direction. Thus, when the lower side door 54B is deployed to the vehicle lower side and hits on shanks of the occupant, the lower side door 54B passes through the groove 100 while bending. As a result, the knee airbag 86 can be prevented from being inflated and deployed with a delay. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle knee airbag device for protecting a knee of an occupant seated in a passenger seat.

  In recent years, from the viewpoint of improving occupant protection performance at the time of a collision, the knee airbag device for a vehicle that restrains the occupant's kneecap (hereinafter simply referred to as “knee”) by inflating and deploying the knee airbag at the time of the collision is applied to the vehicle. Installation is promoted.

  Patent Document 1 below discloses an example of this type of vehicle knee airbag device. Briefly, in the prior art disclosed in this Patent Document 1, an airbag module such as a knee airbag and an inflator in a folded state is built in a grab door of a grab box provided on the passenger seat side of the instrument panel. .

Patent Document 2 below discloses a vehicle knee airbag device in which a grab door of a grab box is extended to the vehicle upper side, and an airbag module is attached to the back side of the extended portion.
JP 2002-356137 A JP 2007-161090 A JP-A-11-321539

  However, according to the above prior art, since the airbag door is configured to be expanded vertically, when the lower limb of the occupant is close to the grab door, the lower door of the airbag door hits the shin and the lower door opens completely. There may not be. In this case, it is considered that it takes time for the knee airbag to unfold toward the upper side of the grab door and the knee airbag becomes fully deployed, and the desired knee restraint performance cannot be obtained.

  In consideration of the above facts, the present invention has a configuration in which the airbag door includes at least a lower door that is deployed to the vehicle lower side, and the occupant's lower limb is also close to the grab door. It is an object to obtain a knee airbag device for a vehicle that can quickly restrain a knee.

  The knee airbag device for a vehicle according to the invention of claim 1 is stored in a folded state in an airbag case and is inflated and deployed to the knee side of an occupant seated in a passenger seat by supplying gas. A lower door that is provided at a position facing an airbag and a knee airbag in an interior panel member of the vehicle, and that is opened from the tier portion and deployed at least to the vehicle lower side when a bag inflation pressure of a predetermined value or more acts. An air bag door configured to include a lower door and a load acting on the lower door by receiving a load in a direction opposite to the deployment direction when the lower door is deployed to the vehicle lower side. A bending portion that bends in the direction.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle knee airbag device according to the first aspect, the lower door is disposed on the interior side of the vehicle interior to constitute a design surface and a rear surface side of the outer skin. An outer skin layer formed of a harder material, and a door side base material layer disposed on the back side of the outer skin layer and formed of a harder material than the outer skin. The bent portion is one or two or more grooves provided in at least one of the door side base material layer and the skin side base material.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle knee airbag device according to the first or second aspect, the tier portion includes a pair of left and right vertical tier portions extending along the vehicle vertical direction, and a vehicle width. A horizontal tier portion extending along the direction and connecting the pair of left and right vertical tier portions at a substantially intermediate position, and between the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the pair of left and right vertical tier portions. Further, a pair of upper and lower hinges is provided, and the bent portion is set along the lateral tear portion between the lateral tear portion and the lower hinge.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle knee airbag device according to the first or second aspect, the tier portion includes a pair of left and right vertical tier portions extending in the vehicle vertical direction, and a vehicle width. A horizontal tier portion extending along the direction and connecting the pair of left and right vertical tier portions at a substantially intermediate position, and between the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the pair of left and right vertical tier portions. A pair of upper and lower hinges is provided, and the bent portion is set at a position that obliquely connects a portion below the lateral tier portion in the longitudinal tier portion and the lateral tier portion. It is characterized by that.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle knee airbag device according to the first or second aspect, the tier portion includes a pair of left and right vertical tier portions extending in the vehicle vertical direction, and a vehicle width. A horizontal tier portion extending along the direction and connecting the pair of left and right vertical tier portions at a substantially upper end position, and a hinge is provided between the lower end portions of the pair of left and right vertical tier portions. Furthermore, the bent portion is set along the lateral tier portion between the lateral tier portion and the hinge.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle knee airbag device according to the first or second aspect, the tier portion includes a pair of left and right vertical tier portions extending in the vehicle vertical direction, and a vehicle width. A horizontal tier portion extending along the direction and connecting the pair of left and right vertical tier portions at a substantially upper end position, and a hinge is provided between the lower end portions of the pair of left and right vertical tier portions. Further, the bent portion is characterized in that it is set at a position that connects the longitudinal tier portion and the lateral tier portion obliquely.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle knee airbag device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the knee airbag is built in a grab door disposed on the passenger seat side of the instrument panel. It is characterized by being.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the knee airbag is stored in a folded state in the airbag case. When gas is supplied to the knee airbag, the knee airbag is inflated and presses an airbag door provided at a position facing the knee airbag in the interior panel material of the vehicle. At this time, when the bag inflation pressure acting on the airbag door becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the bag is cleaved from the tear portion, and at least the lower door is deployed to the vehicle lower side. As a result, the knee airbag is inflated and deployed toward the knee side of the seated occupant.

  Here, in the configuration in which the airbag door includes at least the lower door that is deployed to the vehicle lower side, when the lower limb of the occupant is close to the grab door, The end of the door in the deployment direction may hit the occupant's shin.

  However, in the present invention, the lower door is provided with a bent portion, and when the lower door expands to the vehicle lower side and receives a load in the direction opposite to the unfolding direction, the lower door moves along the bent portion. It is bent in the direction of load application. For this reason, even if the lower door hits the shin, it can be smoothly rubbed through and can be quickly brought into a fully deployed state. Therefore, the knee airbag may be initially deployed in a direction that deviates from a preset direction (that is, a direction that restrains the occupant's knee), and it may take time for the knee airbag to be fully inflated and deployed. Absent.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the lower door is disposed on the vehicle interior side and forms a design surface, and a skin that is disposed on the back side of the skin and is made of a material harder than the skin. A side base material, and a door side base material layer that is disposed on the back side of the skin layer and formed of a material harder than the skin. Since it is set as the 1 or 2 or more groove | channel provided in at least one of the door side base material layer and the skin side base material, a lower door bends along a groove | channel. For this reason, it becomes possible to bend | fold a lower door arbitrarily by selection of the formation part of a groove | channel, a formation position, and the number of formation.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the tier portion includes a pair of left and right longitudinal tier portions and a lateral tier portion that connects these tier portions at a substantially intermediate position, and between the upper end portions and the lower end portions of the tier portions. Since a pair of upper and lower hinges are provided between the parts, the tear part is cleaved into a substantially H shape. For this reason, the airbag door is deployed so as to be double-opened in the vehicle vertical direction.

  Here, in the present invention, since the bent portion is set along the lateral tear portion between the lateral tear portion and the lower hinge, when the airbag door is deployed in the vehicle vertical direction, the occupant's shin It is possible to bend the lower door that may hit the entire area in the width direction. For this reason, the lower door can be easily bent from the bent portion no matter which part of the lower door in the deployment direction front end abuts against the occupant's shin.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the tier portion includes a pair of left and right longitudinal tier portions and a lateral tier portion connecting these at substantially intermediate positions. Since a pair of upper and lower hinges are provided between the parts, the airbag door is cleaved into a substantially H shape. For this reason, the airbag door is deployed so as to be double-opened in the vehicle vertical direction.

  Here, in the present invention, since the bent portion is set at a position that obliquely connects the portion below the lateral tier portion and the lateral tier portion in the longitudinal tier portion, the airbag door is deployed in the vehicle vertical direction. In this case, it is possible to partially fold the corner portion on the front end side in the deployment direction of the lower door that is most likely to hit the occupant's shin. Therefore, only the corner on the distal end side in the deployment direction of the lower door that is most likely to interfere with the occupant's shin is bent at the pin point. Thereby, the formation range of a bending part becomes the minimum necessary, and the accuracy control of a bending part becomes easy.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the tier portion includes a pair of left and right longitudinal tier portions and a lateral tier portion connecting these at substantially upper end positions, and a hinge is provided between the lower end portions of the tier portions. Since the portion is provided, the airbag door is cleaved into a substantially U shape. For this reason, the airbag door is deployed so as to be opened on the vehicle lower side. As a result, the deployment radius when the airbag door is viewed from the side is longer and the deployment direction of the airbag door is longer than when the airbag door is split into a substantially H shape and deployed in the vehicle vertical direction. The end on the front end side easily hits the occupant's shin.

  However, in the present invention, since the bent portion is set along the lateral tier portion between the lateral tier portion and the hinge portion, the end of the airbag door in the deployment direction temporarily hits the occupant's shin. Even so, the lower door can be easily bent from the bent portion. In addition, when the airbag door is deployed to the vehicle lower side, the lower door that may hit the occupant's shin can be folded over the entire width direction. The lower door can be easily bent from the bent portion no matter which part abuts the occupant's shin.

  Further, in general, in the tier portion provided in the airbag door, a simple pattern is more accurate than a complicated pattern. For this reason, it is easier to make a single-opening type air bag door than to make a double-opening type air bag door, and the cost is reduced accordingly.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the tier portion includes a pair of left and right longitudinal tier portions and a lateral tier portion connecting these at substantially upper end positions, and a hinge is provided between the lower end portions of the tier portions. Since the portion is provided, the airbag door is cleaved into a substantially U shape. For this reason, the airbag door is deployed so as to be opened on the vehicle lower side. As a result, the deployment radius when the airbag door is viewed from the side is longer and the deployment direction of the airbag door is longer than when the airbag door is split into a substantially H shape and deployed in the vehicle vertical direction. The end on the front end side easily hits the occupant's shin.

  However, in the present invention, since the bent portion is set at a position that connects the longitudinal tier portion and the lateral tier portion obliquely, when the airbag door is deployed on the lower side of the vehicle, it is most likely to hit the occupant's shin. The corner on the leading end side in the deployment direction of the high lower door can be partially bent. Therefore, only the corner on the distal end side in the deployment direction of the lower door that is most likely to interfere with the occupant's shin is bent at the pin point. Thereby, the formation range of a bending part becomes the minimum necessary, and the accuracy control of a bending part becomes easy.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the knee airbag is inflated and deployed from the grab door. For this reason, it is not necessary to secure a dedicated space in the instrument panel for storing the folded knee airbag.

  As described above, the vehicle knee airbag device according to the first aspect of the present invention has a configuration in which the airbag door includes at least the lower door that is deployed to the vehicle lower side. Even when the lower limb is close to the grab door, it has an excellent effect of being able to quickly restrain the occupant's knee.

  The knee airbag device for a vehicle according to the second aspect of the present invention has an excellent effect that the bending method of the lower door can be easily optimized according to the vehicle type.

  When the airbag door is deployed in the vehicle vertical direction, the vehicle knee airbag device according to the present invention described in claim 3 has a door bending effect at the time of shin interference over the entire width of the lower door in the vehicle width direction. It has an excellent effect that it can be secured.

  The knee airbag device for a vehicle according to the present invention as set forth in claim 4 has an excellent effect that when the airbag door is deployed in the vehicle vertical direction, a bent portion provided on the lower door can be made with high accuracy. .

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the airbag door is deployed to the vehicle lower side, the vehicle knee airbag device according to the present invention has a door bending effect at the time of shin interference over the entire region of the lower door in the vehicle width direction. In addition to being able to guarantee, it has an excellent effect of being able to achieve both bendability of the airbag door and cost reduction.

  The knee airbag device for a vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 6 has an excellent effect that when the airbag door is deployed to the vehicle lower side, a bent portion provided on the lower door can be made with high accuracy. .

  The knee airbag device for a vehicle according to the present invention as set forth in claim 7 has an excellent effect that the degree of freedom in designing the grab door and the instrument panel as usual can be secured.

[First Embodiment]

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a vehicle knee airbag device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, an arrow FR appropriately shown indicates the vehicle front side, an arrow UP indicates the vehicle upper side, and an arrow IN indicates the vehicle width direction inner side.

  FIG. 7 shows an external front view of an instrument panel on which the glove door built-in type knee airbag device according to this embodiment is mounted. FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of an essential part of the knee airbag device with a built-in grab door when not activated (an enlarged sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIGS. 7 and 3). FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the grab door. FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the positional relationship between the grab door and the seated occupant as seen from the side of the vehicle. Initially, the structure of the whole apparatus is demonstrated using these figures.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the passenger panel side of the instrument panel 10 substantially faces the occupant's knee (more precisely, the upper part of the instrument panel lower 12 constituting the lower part of the instrument panel 10). A grab box 14 is provided for storing small items. As shown in FIG. 6, the grab box 14 includes a resin-made grab box body 16 formed in a box shape, and a grab door 20 that opens and closes an opening 18 of the grab box body 16. The grab box body 16 is arranged so that the opening 18 faces the vehicle rear side (vehicle compartment side).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the above-described grab door 20 that closes the opening 18 of the grab box main body 16 includes a built-in grab door type knee airbag device 40. The grab door 20 is disposed on the vehicle interior side and is disposed on the vehicle front side of the grab door outer 24 as a rectangular panel-shaped interior panel member that forms a design surface. The grab door outer 24 covers the grab door outer 24. A generally rectangular frame-like grab door inner 26 to be fitted. The grab door outer 24 and the grab door inner 26 are both made of resin.

  The grab door outer 24 is configured as a two-layer structure of a base material 28 as a skin side base material formed in a substantially rectangular panel shape and a skin 30 covering the surface of the base material 28 on the vehicle interior side. Although both the base material 28 and the skin 30 are made of resin, the base material 28 is made of a resin material harder than the skin 30. In addition, the base material 28 and the skin 30 correspond to the skin layer in the present invention.

  A pair of left and right stoppers 32 are erected on both sides of the lower edge side of the base material 28. Each stopper 32 extends from the general portion 28 </ b> A of the base material 28 in a direction perpendicular to the plane (the vehicle front side), and the tip end portion is on the wall surface of the grab box body 16 when the grab door 20 is fully opened. It acts to hold the grab door 20 in the fully open position by interference. In addition, a hinge 34 formed in an approximately L shape in a side view is provided inside the stopper 32. One end of the hinge 34 is fixed to the grab box main body 16 with a screw or the like. When the grab door 20 is opened and closed, the grab door 20 rotates about the rotation center Q of FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the outer surface of the general portion 28 </ b> A of the base material 28 in the grab door outer 24 (the surface on the grab door inner 26 side and the surface on the side opposite to the passenger) ) Is provided with a substantially H-shaped tier portion 36 that breaks (breaks) when a bag inflating pressure of a predetermined value or more acts through an airbag door retainer 42 described later. The tier portion 36 includes a horizontal center tier portion 36A extending along the vehicle width direction at the vehicle vertical direction intermediate portion of the general portion 28A, and a pair of left and right sides extending in the vehicle vertical direction from both ends of the horizontal direction central tier portion 36A. A vertical tier portion 36B, and a horizontal upper and lower tier portion 36C extending from the upper and lower ends of the vertical tier portions 36B in a direction approaching each other and substantially parallel to the horizontal central tier portion 36A. It is configured.

  On the other hand, the grab door inner 26 is formed integrally with a rectangular frame-shaped bottom wall portion 26A facing the general portion 28A of the base material 28 of the grab door outer 24 and both sides of the bottom wall portion 26A in the vehicle width direction. A pair of left and right side wall portions 26B, and a pair of left and right side wall portions 26B and a pair of left and right projecting portions 26C that project outward from the end on the grab door outer 24 side in the vehicle width direction. Has been. On the lower edge side of the overhang portion 26C, a notch 38 is formed at a position facing the stopper 32 of the grab door outer 24. A stopper 32 is inserted into the notch 38.

  The grab door outer 24 and the grab door inner 26 configured as described above are joined to each other via longitudinal and lateral ribs 39 (see FIG. 6) formed in at least one of the two. Specifically, vibration welding is performed at the tip of the rib 39, but fastening by a fastener may be used, vibration welding and fastening may be used together, and the grab door outer 24 and grab Any configuration capable of integrating the door inner 26 may be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an airbag door retainer 42 formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape is disposed between the above-described grab door outer 24 and the grab door inner 26. The airbag door retainer 42 is made of a resin material harder than the skin 30 of the grab door outer 24 (for example, a thermoplastic resin “TSOP: Toyota Super Olefin Polymer having improved recyclability compared to conventional composite PP (polypropylene)”. ]). The airbag door retainer 42 includes a base portion 44 as a door-side base material formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and a rectangular frame-shaped vertical wall portion 46 erected from the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base portion 44. . A plurality of locking holes 48 each formed as a rectangular opening are formed at predetermined intervals in the vertical wall upper part 46A and the vertical wall lower part 46B located on the vehicle vertical direction side of the vertical wall part 46. In addition, between the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base portion 44 and the vertical wall upper portion 46A and the vertical wall lower portion 46B, reinforcing ribs 50 arranged so as to straddle both and formed in a right triangle shape in a side view are respectively provided. There are several standing.

  Further, in the central portion (portion surrounded by the vertical wall portion 46) of the base portion 44 of the airbag door retainer 42, a pair of left and right vertical grooves 52A and these vertical grooves 52A are arranged at a substantially central position in the vehicle width direction. A substantially H-shaped groove 52 is formed in a front view including the connecting lateral grooves 52B. By forming the groove 52, the base portion 44 of the airbag door retainer 42 is formed with an airbag door 54 including a pair of upper and lower upper doors 54A and 54B. The corner portion 54C on the side of the lateral groove 52B of each airbag door 54A, 54B is formed in an arc shape. Further, a slack portion 56 (see FIG. 6) formed in a substantially V shape in a side view is formed on the rotation center side of each airbag door 54. The slack portion 56 disposed between the upper end portions of the pair of left and right vertical grooves 52A of the airbag door retainer 42 functions as an upper door hinge portion (rotation center) 57 when the upper door 54A is deployed to the vehicle upper side, The slack portion 56 disposed between the lower end portions of the pair of left and right vertical grooves 52A functions as a lower door hinge portion (rotation center) 59 when the lower door 54B is deployed to the vehicle lower side. Accordingly, when the upper door 54A and the lower door 54B are deployed in the vehicle vertical direction, the upper door 54A and the lower door are expanded by the slack portion 56 being the upper door hinge portion 57 and the lower door hinge portion 59 being extended. 54B is smoothly developed to the vehicle upper side and the vehicle lower side, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of upper and lower ribs 60 extending toward the airbag door retainer 42 are integrally formed on the upper edge side and the lower edge side of the central opening 58 in the bottom wall portion 26A of the grab door inner 26 described above. Is formed. In the assembled state of the grab door 20, these ribs 60 are erected in parallel to the outside of the vertical wall upper part 46A and the vertical wall lower part 46B of the vertical wall part 46 of the airbag door retainer 42, and each tip part is air-filled. It is welded (vibration welded) to the base 44 of the bag door retainer 42. Accordingly, the base portion 44 of the airbag door retainer 42 is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the general portion 28 </ b> A of the base material 28 of the grab door outer 24 and the rib 60 of the grab door inner 26.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an airbag module 62 is attached to the central opening 58 of the grab door inner 26. The airbag module 62 includes a metal module case 64. The module case 64 has a box shape with a shallow bottom. An inflator fixing portion 66 that is bulged toward the vehicle rear side by being punched in an isosceles trapezoidal shape from the vehicle front side is provided at the center lower portion of the bottom wall portion 64A of the module case 64. The longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the inflator fixing portion 66 is a mountain shape. A pair of left and right bolt insertion holes 68 are formed in the inclined portion 66 </ b> A on the vehicle upper side in the inflator fixing portion 66. A pair of stud bolts 72 (see FIG. 6) protruding radially outward from the axially intermediate portion of the inflator 70 are inserted into these bolt insertion holes 68, and the nuts 74 are screwed together from the back side. The inflator 70 is fastened and fixed to the inclined portion 66 </ b> A of the inflator fixing portion 66.

  In addition, L-shaped attachment pieces 78 each having a screw insertion hole 76 formed at the center are attached to a total of four locations on the left and right side wall portions 64B of the module case 64, respectively. Correspondingly, screw insertion holes 80 are formed coaxially with the screw insertion holes 76 on both sides of the central opening 58 of the grab door inner 26. Then, the bolt insertion hole 76 of each mounting piece 78 is made to correspond to the screw insertion hole 80 on the side of the grab door inner 26 and fastened and fixed with a fastener such as a screw, so that the module case 64 is opened at the central opening of the grab door inner 26. 58 is fixed from the front side of the vehicle.

  In addition, long locking fittings 82 are attached to the upper wall portion 64C and the lower wall portion 64D of the module case 64, respectively. On one side of the locking fitting 82 (airbag door retainer 42 side), locking pieces 84 formed in an L shape in a side view are integrally formed at a predetermined interval. A plurality of locking pieces 84 are provided corresponding to the above-described locking holes 48 formed in the vertical wall upper part 46A and the vertical wall lower part 46B of the airbag door retainer 42. The airbag door retainer 42 is attached to the module case 64 by inserting and locking the locking pieces 84 into the locking holes 48.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an inflator 70 (as a gas generating unit) and a knee airbag 86 that is inflated by gas ejected from the inflator 70 are assembled in the module case 64. The inflator 70 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter that is housed in the module case 64. A gas ejection portion 88 is coaxially formed at one end of the inflator 70 in the axial direction. Further, the outer diameter of the gas ejection portion 88 is shorter than the outer diameter of the inflator 70, and a plurality of gas ejection holes (not shown) are formed in the peripheral wall portion of the gas ejection portion 88.

  On the other hand, the knee airbag 86 is housed in the module case 64 in a folded state. More specifically, the upper and lower portions of the knee airbag 86 in a flat-deployed state are folded in a bellows shape and brought close to the center, thereby being folded to a size that can be stored in the module case 64. Then, the inflator 70 is inserted into the center portion (height direction intermediate portion) of the knee airbag 86, and the stud bolt 72 protruding from the inflator 70 penetrates the knee airbag 86, and the module case 64 as described above. The inflator fixing portion 66 is fixed. Therefore, the knee airbag 86 is assembled in a state of being sandwiched between the inflator 70 and the inflator fixing portion 66. In addition, a region in the vicinity of the rear portion of the knee airbag 86 where the inflator 70 is disposed is a gas inflow portion 87 (see FIG. 4).

  In addition, the central opening 58 of the grab door inner 26 is closed by a resin back cover 92 formed in a rectangular flat plate shape after the airbag module 62 is assembled. A plurality of legs 94 are integrally formed from the four sides of the back cover 92 toward the grab door inner 26 side. A claw is formed at the tip of each leg 94. Correspondingly, a plurality of rectangular insertion holes 96 are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the central opening 58 in the bottom wall portion 26 </ b> A of the grab door inner 26. The back cover 92 is attached to the front surface of the grab door inner 26 by inserting the leg portion 94 into the insertion hole 96 and elastically engaging it.

  Next, the airbag door structure according to the main part of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows an enlarged schematic front view of the grab door 20. FIG. 1 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view (enlarged sectional view taken along line 1-1 in FIG. 3) of the main part of the present embodiment.

  As shown in these drawings, grooves 100 and 101 as bent portions are formed on the back surface side (opposite side) of the lower door 54B of the airbag door 54 described above. Specifically, a groove 100 extending along the vehicle width direction is formed on the back surface side (counter occupant side) of the lower door 54B formed on the airbag door retainer 42. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 100 is V-shaped, and the formation position is an intermediate position in the vertical direction of the lower door 54B (that is, an intermediate position between the lateral center tier portion 36A and the lower door hinge portion 59 in a front view). ). Further, the groove 100 is formed over the entire length of the lower door 54B in the width direction.

  In addition, a groove 101 is formed on the back side (counter occupant side) surface of the base 28 of the grab door outer 24 that is overlapped with the occupant side surface of the base portion 44 of the airbag door retainer 42. The groove 101 is formed at a position overlapping the groove 100 when viewed from the front, and the cross-sectional shape, formation position, and formation range are set similarly to the groove 100.

  Supplementally, in the present embodiment, not only the groove 100 is formed in the lower door 54B of the airbag door retainer 42, but also the groove 101 is formed on the base 28 side of the grab door outer 24 that covers this from the passenger side. However, it is the groove 100 formed on the side of the lower door 54 </ b> B that is thicker than the base material 28 that plays an essential role as the bent portion. Whether or not to set a groove as a bent portion in the base material 28 of the grab door outer 24 depends on the material (hardness) of the base material 28. If the base material 28 has a hardness that does not cause bending unless a bent portion is formed in advance, the groove 101 is inserted as in this embodiment, and the base material 28 is bent without forming a groove in the base material. If it is a material of the grade, there is no need to insert a groove. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the groove | channel 100 mentioned above is not restricted to V shape, A semicircle shape may be sufficient and another shape may be sufficient. In this embodiment, the groove 100 is formed only in the lower door 54B, but the groove 100 may be formed in the upper door 54A.

(Operation and effect of this embodiment)

  Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

  When a vehicle equipped with the above-configured glove door built-in knee airbag device 40 collides with the front, the state is detected by a collision detection means (not shown), and a detection signal is output to the airbag ECU. When the airbag ECU determines that the airbag is activated, various airbag devices on the driver's seat side are activated, and the knee airbag device 40 with a built-in grab door on the passenger seat side is also activated. That is, a predetermined current is applied to the squib of the inflator 70 of the airbag module 62 built in the grab door 20 to operate the inflator 70. Thereby, gas is generated from the inflator 70, and the gas is supplied into the knee airbag 86 stored in the grab door 20 in a folded state, and is inflated.

  When the folded knee airbag 86 is inflated and the bag inflation pressure acting on the tier portion 36 via the airbag door retainer 42 reaches a predetermined value, the tier portion 36 breaks (breaks), and the airbag door 54 The upper door 54A and the lower door 54B are deployed in the vehicle vertical direction. Thereby, the knee airbag 86 is inflated and deployed in the gap between the occupant's knee and the grab door 20 (instrument panel 10). As a result, the occupant's knees are restrained and protected by the knee airbag 86.

  Here, as in the present embodiment, in the configuration in which the airbag door 54 is deployed in the vehicle vertical direction, the lower limb of the occupant (more specifically, the knee of the seated occupant (indicated by the symbol “Y” in FIG. 4). ) Is close to the grab door 20, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the lower door 54B is deployed, the end of the lower door 54B in the unfolding direction (arrow A direction) May hit the occupant's shin (X-ray arrow in FIG. 4).

  However, in the present embodiment, a groove 100 (extending along the vehicle width direction in the center of the back surface side of the lower door 54B of the airbag door 54 (and the back surface side of the base material 28 of the grab door outer 24). And the groove 101) are formed over the entire width of the lower door 54B, and as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the end of the lower door 54B in the deployment direction is opposite to the deployment direction from the shin X. When receiving a load (reaction force) F in the direction (arrow B direction), the lower door 54B is bent in the load acting direction starting from the grooves 100 and 101. For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 2C to 2E, the lower door 54B can be smoothly scraped through even if it hits the shin X, and can be quickly brought into a fully deployed state.

  The above operation will be supplementarily described with reference to FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (F). Assuming that the state shown in FIG. 2 (A) is when the end of the lower door 54B in the unfolding direction is in contact with the occupant's shin X, at this point, the lower door 54B The reaction force F at the time of contact has not yet acted on the end portion on the front end side in the developing direction, and the lower door 54B is linear in a side view.

  Assuming that the groove 100 is not formed on the lower door 54B side, the lower door 54B ′ (without the groove 100) is not bent as shown in FIG. It exists as a kind of wall. For this reason, a part of the knee airbag 86 (in the range of the slanted line S1) that tries to inflate downward of the lower door 54B ′ takes a reaction force on the lower door 54B ′ that exists as a wall and acts on the wall. Start to expand along. As a result, the knee airbag 86 inflates and expands to the area of the slanted line S2 as shown by the two-dot chain line, and then returns to the original inflated shape as the lower door 54B ′ is bent through. . Therefore, it takes time until the knee airbag is fully inflated and deployed.

  On the other hand, in the case of the airbag door structure according to the present embodiment, the lower door 54B is bent, so that the knee airbag 86 is shifted from a preset direction (that is, a direction in which the occupant's knee Y is restrained). It does not take time for the knee airbag 86 to be fully expanded and deployed after initial deployment. In other words, the lower door 54B, which has a high possibility of coming into contact with the occupant's shin, is configured to be bendable, so that the deployability of the lower door 54B is improved.

  As a result, according to the present embodiment, in the configuration in which the airbag door 54 includes the upper door 54A and the lower door 54B and expands in the vehicle vertical direction, the occupant's lower limb (occupant's knee Y) is close to the grab door 20. Even when the passenger is in the vehicle, the passenger's knee Y can be quickly restrained.

  In the present embodiment, the groove 100 (and groove 101) extends along the vehicle width direction on the back surface side of the lower door 54B of the airbag door 54 (and the back surface side of the base material 28 of the grab door outer 24). Therefore, the lower door 54B can be arbitrarily bent by selecting the formation site, the formation position, and the number of formation of the groove 100 (and the groove 101). As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily optimize how the lower door 54B bends in accordance with the vehicle type.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the configuration in which the tier portion 36 is split in a substantially H shape and the airbag door 54 is deployed in a double-opening manner in the vehicle vertical direction, it is between the lateral center tier portion 36A and the lower door hinge portion 59. Since the groove 100 (and the groove 101) is formed along (substantially parallel to) the lateral center tier portion 36A, the lower door 54B that may hit the occupant's shin X is extended over the entire region in the width direction. Can be bent. For this reason, the lower door 54B is easily bent from the groove 100 no matter which part of the lower door 54B is in contact with the occupant's shin X at the front end side in the deployment direction. As a result, according to this embodiment, the door bending effect at the time of shin interference can be ensured over the entire region of the lower door 54B in the vehicle width direction. In other words, even if the shin hits the right side or the shin hits the left side as seen from the occupant at the front end of the lower door 54B in the deploying direction, the contact reaction force from the shin is applied to the lower door 54B. As soon as it is input to the end portion on the front end side in the development direction, bending occurs from the input direction side of the groove 100, and the bending propagates along the groove 100 from that point, and the entire groove 100 is bent instantaneously.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the knee airbag 86 is built in the grab door 20 disposed on the passenger seat side of the instrument panel 10, so that the knee airbag 86 is inflated and deployed from the grab door 20. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a dedicated space for storing the folded knee airbag 86 in the instrument panel 10. As a result, according to the present embodiment, the conventional design freedom of the grab door 20 and thus the instrument panel 10 can be ensured.

[Second Embodiment]

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the vehicle knee airbag device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In addition, about the same component as 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the same number is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this second embodiment, the grooves 110 and 111 as the bent portions are on the passenger side (skin 30 side) surface of the lower door 54B, on the passenger side of the base material 28 of the grab door outer 24. It is characterized in that it is provided on the surface of the (skin 30 side). The configuration of the grooves 110 and 111 is the same as that of the grooves 100 and 101 of the first embodiment described above.

(Action / Effect)

  9A to 9E show the deployment behavior of the airbag door 54 according to FIGS. 2A to 2E used in the first embodiment. The bending itself of the lower door 54B due to the provision of the grooves 110 and 111 is reproduced in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same effect as the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

  However, in this embodiment, unlike the grooves 100 and 101 of the first embodiment, the inclined surfaces 110A, 110B, 111A, and 111B (see FIG. 8) of the V-shaped grooves 110 and 111 are on the input direction side of the load F. Therefore, when the lower door 54B and the grab door outer 24 are bent at the grooves 110 and 111, the inclined surfaces 110A and 110B and the inclined surfaces 111A and 111B come into contact with each other to exhibit a resistance to bending. There is no. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is easier to bend than the grooves 100 and 101 of the first embodiment.

  Supplementally, in the case of the first embodiment, if the above effect is generated, it occurs in the process of FIG. 2 (B) to FIG. 2 (C). On the other hand, in the case of this embodiment, the above-mentioned drag does not occur in the process of FIGS. 9B to 9C.

[Third Embodiment]

  Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the vehicle knee airbag device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the same component as 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the same number is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the third embodiment is characterized in that the groove 120 as the bent portion is provided obliquely at the left and right corners (corner portions) of the lower door 54B. Note that in the third and subsequent embodiments, the bent portion is set only on the lower door 54B side of the airbag door retainer 42, which has the thicker plate thickness, and the base material of the grab door outer 24, which has the thinner plate thickness. Description of the 28 side is omitted. As described above, whether or not the bent portion is set on the base material 28 may be appropriately selected depending on the material of the base material 28. The setting of the bent portion is essential for the air having a plate thickness larger than that of the base material 28. This is the lower door 54B of the bag door retainer 42.

  Moreover, although the groove | channel 120 is similarly provided also in the right and left corner | angular part of 54 A of upper doors, this is not essential. Further, in this embodiment, the groove 120 is formed on the surface on the side opposite to the occupant of the lower door 54B, but it may be provided on the surface on the occupant side of the lower door 54B as in the second embodiment.

(Action / Effect)

  According to the above configuration, in the case of the airbag door 54 that expands vertically in a substantially H shape, the lower door 54B is likely to come into contact with the occupant's shin. In particular, the left and right corners of the end of the lower door 54B in the deployment direction are most likely to come into contact with the shin of the occupant. Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, only the corner | angular part of the deployment direction front end side of the lower door 54B with the highest possibility of interfering with a passenger | crew's shin will bend at a pinpoint. As a result, the formation range of the groove 120 is minimized, and the accuracy management of the groove 120 is facilitated. As a result, according to this embodiment, when the airbag door 54 is deployed in the vehicle vertical direction, the groove 120 provided in the (upper door 54A) and the lower door 54B can be made with high accuracy.

[Fourth Embodiment]

  Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment of the vehicle knee airbag device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. In addition, about the same component as 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the same number is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 11 is characterized in that the present invention is applied to an airbag door 130 that is deployed in a single opening toward the vehicle lower side. Specifically, the tier portion 132 includes a lateral tier portion 132A formed along the vehicle width direction on the upper edge side of the grab door 20, and left and right sides extending from both ends of the lateral tier portion 132A to the vehicle lower side. And a pair of longitudinal tier portions 132B. That is, the tier portion 132 of the present embodiment is formed in a U-shape (a U-shape upside down with the vehicle lower side being an open side) when viewed from the front. Accordingly, the lower door hinge portion 59 is formed between the lower end portions of the pair of left and right vertical tier portions 132B. Further, the airbag door 130 having the above-described configuration has a central portion on the surface opposite to the occupant along the lateral tear portion 132A (parallel to the lateral tear portion 132A) between the lateral tear portion 132A and the lower door hinge portion 59. A groove 134 as a bent portion is formed.

(Action / Effect)

  According to the above configuration, when the inflator 70 is activated, the airbag door 130 is deployed in a single-open manner toward the vehicle lower side with the lower door hinge portion 59 as the rotation center. The deployment radius when the airbag door 130 is viewed from the side (corresponding to the length of the longitudinal tear portion 132B) is larger than that of the airbag door 54 of the first embodiment, which is deployed in a substantially H shape. become longer. For this reason, the end of the airbag door 130 on the front end side in the deployment direction can more easily hit the occupant's shin.

  However, in the present embodiment, since the groove 134 is set along the lateral tier portion 132A between the lateral tier portion 132A and the lower door hinge portion 59, the end of the airbag door 130 on the front end side in the deployment direction is temporarily assumed. Even if it hits the occupant's shin, the airbag door 130 is easily bent from the groove 134.

  In general, as for the tier portion 132 provided on the airbag door 130, a simple pattern is more accurate than a complicated pattern. For this reason, it is easier to make the single-opening type air bag door 130 than to make the double-opening type air bag door, and the cost is reduced accordingly.

  From the above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve both bendability of the airbag door 130 and cost reduction. Also in this embodiment, since the groove 134 is formed over the entire width of the airbag door 130, the groove 134 extends over the entire area in the vehicle width direction of the airbag door 130 as in the case of the first embodiment described above. Thus, it is possible to secure the effect of bending the door when the shin interferes.

  In the present embodiment, the groove 134 that crosses the airbag door 130 is formed on the back surface side of the airbag door 130. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the leading end side of the airbag door 130 described in the third embodiment is used. You may make it form the groove | channel as a bending part diagonally in the right-and-left corner | angular part of this edge part.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the airbag door 130 that opens to the vehicle lower side is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. The present invention may be applied to 140. The airbag door 140 shown in FIG. 12 includes a tier portion 142 by a lateral tier portion 142A and a pair of left and right oblique tier portions 142B that bifurcated from both ends of the lateral tier portion 142A. Is configured. As a result, the airbag door 140 is composed of four doors: an upper door 140A, a lower door 140B, a left door 140C, and a right door 140D. And the groove | channel 144 extended along a vehicle width direction is formed in the center part of the back surface side of the lower door 140B.

  Also with the above configuration, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

[Fifth Embodiment]

  Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of a vehicle knee airbag device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the same component as 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the same number is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the fifth embodiment, a lateral tier 150 is formed at the center of the base 44 of the airbag door retainer 42. That is, in this configuration, the upper door 54 </ b> A and the lower door 54 </ b> B are not divided and are connected via the lateral tier portion 150. The groove 100 as a bent portion provided on the back side of the lower door 54B is formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  However, in the fifth embodiment, the base material 152 of the grab door outer 24 is made of a material that is slightly softer than the base material 28 of the first embodiment described above, and is therefore set in the first embodiment. The groove 101 and the lateral tier portion 36A are not set.

  (Action / Effect)

  According to the above configuration, when the bag inflation pressure acting on the base portion 44 of the airbag door retainer 42 exceeds a predetermined value, the lateral tier 150 is broken. Accordingly, the upper door 54A and the lower door 54B are separated, the grab door outer 24 is cleaved, and the upper door 54A and the lower door 54B are deployed in the vehicle vertical direction. Subsequent actions and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

  [Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment]

  (1) In the above-described embodiment, the knee airbag device 40 with a built-in grab door operates at the time of a frontal collision. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a collision prediction unit such as a pre-crash sensor is mounted on the vehicle. When a collision is predicted by the collision prediction means, a knee airbag device with a built-in grab door may be activated.

  (2) To supplement the term “built-in” in the case of the knee airbag device 40 with built-in grab door according to the above-described embodiment, all the main components of the knee airbag device are arranged inside the grab door 20. It is not necessary to be included, and at least the knee airbag is included in the “built-in” if it is disposed inside the grab door. Therefore, as described above, after connecting the inflator and the knee airbag with a communication means such as a hose, the inflator is provided on the grab box body 16 side, the instrument panel 10 side, the body such as instrument panel reinforcement, etc. Or may be provided in equipment such as an air conditioner unit.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, the glove door built-in type knee airbag device 40 is incorporated in the grab door 20 of the grab box 14 provided on the passenger seat side of the instrument panel 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. You may set to the other site | part of 10 passenger seat side.

  (4) In the first embodiment and the like described above, only one groove 100 extending along the vehicle width direction is formed on the back surface side of the lower door 54B, but this is not a limitation, and a predetermined interval is provided. A plurality may be provided. When two or more grooves are provided, the lower door can be multi-folded.

It is a principal part expansion longitudinal cross-sectional view (1-1 sectional drawing of FIG. 3) which expands and shows the principal part of the knee airbag apparatus with a built-in grab door which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A)-(E) are the operation | movement explanatory drawings which drawn a mode that the airbag door expand | deployed continuously, (F) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the effect | action of this embodiment. It is a schematic enlarged front view of a grab door. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the positional relationship of a grab door and a seated passenger | crew seeing from the vehicle side. It is a disassembled perspective view of a grab door. It is a principal part expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view (enlarged cross-sectional view in alignment with line 6-6 of FIG. 7) of the glove door built-in type knee airbag apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is an external appearance front view of the instrument panel in which the glove door built-in type knee airbag device concerning this embodiment is carried. It is a principal part expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 which expands and shows the principal part of the knee airbag apparatus with a built-in grab door which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. (A)-(E) are the operation | movement explanatory drawings which drawn a mode that the airbag door expand | deployed continuously. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the knee airbag apparatus with a built-in grab door which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a general | schematic expanded front view of the grab door which concerns on the 1st modification of 4th Embodiment. It is a general | schematic enlarged front view of the grab door which concerns on the 2nd modification of 4th Embodiment. It is a principal part expanded sectional view which expands and shows the principal part of the knee airbag apparatus with a built-in grab door which concerns on 5th Embodiment (it expanded further FIG. 6).

Explanation of symbols

10 Instrument panel 20 Grab door 24 Grab door outer (interior panel material, skin layer)
28 base material (skin-side base material)
30 Skin 36 Tier 40 Grab door built-in knee airbag device (vehicle airbag device)
44 Base (Door side base material layer)
54 Airbag door 54B Lower door 57 Upper door hinge (hinge)
59 Lower door hinge (hinge)
64 Module case (airbag case)
70 Inflator 86 Knee airbag 100 Groove (folded part)
101 groove (folded part)
110 Groove (Bent part)
111 groove (folded part)
120 groove (folded part)
130 Airbag door 132 Tier portion 134 Groove (folded portion)
140 Airbag door 140B Lower door 142 Tier portion 144 Groove (folded portion)
152 Base material (skin-side base material)

Claims (7)

A knee airbag that is stored in a folded state in an airbag case and is inflated and deployed to the knee side of an occupant seated in the passenger seat by supplying gas;
The vehicle interior panel material is provided at a position facing the knee airbag, and includes a lower door that is opened from the tear portion and deployed at least to the vehicle lower side when a bag inflation pressure of a predetermined value or more acts. An air bag door,
A bending portion that is provided on the lower door, and causes the lower door to bend in the load acting direction by receiving a load in a direction opposite to the deployment direction when the lower door is deployed on the vehicle lower side;
A vehicle knee airbag device. The lower door has a skin layer disposed on the vehicle interior side and having a skin that forms a design surface, and a skin-side base material that is disposed on the back side of the skin and is formed of a material harder than the skin. The door side base material layer that is disposed on the back side of the skin layer and is formed of a material harder than the skin,
The bent portion is one or more grooves provided in at least one of the door side base material layer and the skin side base material.
The vehicle knee airbag device according to claim 1. The tier portion includes a pair of left and right vertical tier portions that extend along the vehicle vertical direction, and a horizontal tier portion that extends along the vehicle width direction and connects the pair of left and right vertical tier portions at a substantially intermediate position. And including,
A pair of upper and lower hinges are provided between the upper and lower ends of the pair of left and right vertical tier portions,
Further, the bent portion is set along the lateral tier portion between the lateral tier portion and the lower hinge.
The vehicle knee airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle knee airbag device is provided. The tier portion includes a pair of left and right vertical tier portions that extend along the vehicle vertical direction, and a horizontal tier portion that extends along the vehicle width direction and connects the pair of left and right vertical tier portions at a substantially intermediate position. And including,
A pair of upper and lower hinges are provided between the upper and lower ends of the pair of left and right vertical tier portions,
Furthermore, the bent portion is set at a position that obliquely connects the portion below the lateral tier portion and the lateral tier portion in the longitudinal tier portion.
The vehicle knee airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle knee airbag device is provided. The tier portion includes a pair of left and right vertical tier portions that extend along the vehicle vertical direction, and a horizontal tier portion that extends along the vehicle width direction and connects the pair of left and right vertical tier portions at a substantially upper end position. And including,
A hinge is provided between the lower end portions of the pair of left and right vertical tier portions,
Further, the bent portion is set along the lateral tier portion between the lateral tier portion and the hinge.
The vehicle knee airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle knee airbag device is provided. The tier portion includes a pair of left and right vertical tier portions that extend along the vehicle vertical direction, and a horizontal tier portion that extends along the vehicle width direction and connects the pair of left and right vertical tier portions at a substantially upper end position. And including,
A hinge is provided between the lower end portions of the pair of left and right vertical tier portions,
Furthermore, the bent portion is set at a position that connects the longitudinal tier portion and the lateral tier portion obliquely,
The vehicle knee airbag device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle knee airbag device is provided. The knee airbag is built in a grab door disposed on the passenger seat side of the instrument panel,
The knee airbag device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the vehicle knee airbag device is provided.

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