JP4030467B2 - Vehicle occupant protection device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection device, and more particularly to a vehicle occupant protection device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a vehicle occupant protection device that is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and restrains the lower limbs of an occupant at the time of a collision, the reverse speed of the occupant is detected at the time of a collision, and when this reverse speed exceeds a predetermined value, the electromagnetic cylinder Output the drive signal and actuate the lower limb restraint of the lower limb restraint means (active knee bolster), so that only when the occupant's knee needs to be pressed, Is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-221276 [0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional technique, the position where the lower limb restraining portion of the lower limb restraining means is disposed is the same as that of the accessory case (glove box) in the conventional instrument panel tray or instrument panel. As a result, it is necessary to abolish or reduce the glove compartment in the instrument panel or instrument panel. For this reason, there is no place for small items in the instrument panel or the space for the accessory is reduced, and the convenience of the instrument panel in the normal use state is lowered.
[0005]
In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle occupant protection device that can improve the convenience of an instrument panel in a normal use state.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a collision determination means for performing at least one of vehicle collision detection and collision prediction,
An accessory case movably arranged in the instrument panel;
An opening for the accessory case formed in the instrument panel;
A lower limb restraining portion for preventing the leg of the target occupant from jumping up on the upper part of the accessory case in the instrument panel, and the lower limb restraining portion is moved to the target occupant side in response to an output signal of the collision determination means The accessory case is moved to a position where the accessory case opening is opened in the instrument panel by pressing due to the movement of the leg restraining part, and the opening is opened through the opened accessory case opening. Leg restraining means for moving the leg restraining part to the leg restraining position;
It is provided with.
[0007]
Therefore, the lower limb restraining means receives the output signal of the collision determination means and moves the lower limb restraining part, and the leg restraining part prevents the leg of the target occupant from jumping up. At this time, the accessory case is moved to a position in the instrument panel where the opening for the accessory case is opened by pressing due to the movement of the lower leg restraining portion, and is arranged on the upper part of the accessory case through the opened accessory case opening. The lower limb restraint portion can be moved to the lower limb restraint position . As a result, in the normal state, the position where the lower limb restraining portion is disposed can be set on the upper part of the accessory case in the instrument panel. For this reason, it is not necessary to abolish or reduce the accessory case in the instrument panel, and the convenience of the instrument panel in the normal use state can be improved. In addition, since the lower leg restraining part is arranged at the upper part of the accessory case, the accessory case is moved downward and immediately placed in the instrument panel from the accessory case opening formed in the instrument panel. The lower limb restraint portion can be moved to the target occupant side. As a result, the lower limb restraint portion can be quickly moved to the target occupant side.
[0008]
The vehicle occupant protection device according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a collision determination unit that performs at least one of vehicle collision detection and collision prediction,
An accessory case movably arranged in the instrument panel;
An opening for the accessory case formed in the instrument panel;
An operation path forming means that is provided in the instrument panel and receives the output signal of the collision determination means, and moves the accessory case to a position in the instrument panel to open the opening for the accessory case;
The accessory case having a lower limb restraining portion for preventing the leg of the subject occupant from jumping up at the upper portion of the accessory case in the instrument panel, and receiving the output signal of the collision determination means and opening the lower limb restraining portion. Leg restraining means for moving to the leg restraining position through the opening for
It is provided with.
[0009]
Therefore, the lower limb restraining means receives the output signal of the collision determination means and moves the lower limb restraining part, and the leg restraining part prevents the leg of the target occupant from jumping up. At this time, the operation path forming means provided in the instrument panel receives the output signal of the collision determination means and moves the accessory case to a position where the opening for the accessory case is opened in the instrument panel. The lower limb restraining portion of the lower limb restraining means disposed on the upper part of the accessory case in the panel moves to the lower limb restraining position through the opened opening for the accessory case upon receiving the output signal of the collision determining means. As a result, in the normal state, the position where the lower limb restraining portion is disposed can be set on the upper part of the accessory case in the instrument panel. For this reason, it is not necessary to abolish or reduce the accessory case in the instrument panel, and the convenience of the instrument panel in the normal use state can be improved. In addition, since the lower leg restraining part is arranged at the upper part of the accessory case, the accessory case is moved downward and immediately placed in the instrument panel from the accessory case opening formed in the instrument panel. The lower limb restraint portion can be moved to the target occupant side. As a result, the lower limb restraint portion can be quickly moved to the target occupant side.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A vehicle occupant protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0011]
In the figure, the arrow FR indicates the vehicle body front direction, the arrow UP indicates the vehicle body upward direction, and the arrow IN indicates the vehicle width inside direction.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle occupant protection device of the present embodiment includes an acceleration sensor 12 as a collision detection unit that detects vehicle deceleration and detects a vehicle collision. The acceleration sensor 12 is disposed on each of the left and right front side members, and is connected to a control circuit 14 serving as control means having a microcomputer.
[0013]
The instrument panel 18 of the vehicle body 10 is provided with an active knee bolster 24 as a lower limb restraining means at a position in front of the passenger seat 20, and the active knee bolster 24 is an occupant 28 seated on the passenger seat 20. The left and right lower limbs (particularly knees) 28A are disposed in front of the left and right lower limbs.
[0014]
The active knee bolster 24 also includes a lower limb restraining portion 30 that restrains a lower limb portion (especially a knee portion) 28A seated in the passenger seat 20 from an obliquely upper front side of the vehicle, and a lower limb restraining portion 30 that is a lower limb portion of the occupant 28. The actuator 32 moves to the 28A side.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 2, the lower leg restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 has a long block shape extending in the vehicle width direction. A shaft 34 is disposed along the vehicle width direction at the portion to be formed. Both end portions 34A and 34B of the shaft 34 are rotatably supported by brackets 38 and 40 fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement 36, respectively.
[0016]
A gear 42 is fixed in the vicinity of the end 34 </ b> B of the shaft 34, and the gear 42 is connected to an actuator 32 fixed to the bracket 40 via a rack 44 and a pinion 46.
[0017]
The actuator 32 of the active knee bolster 24 is a cylinder-type pyroactuator that is operated by gas from an inflator that is operated by a squib connected to the control circuit 14.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 3, the actuator 32 is mounted obliquely upward on the rear side of the vehicle body, and a rack 44 is fixed to a tip 48A of a rod 48 extending obliquely upward on the rear side of the vehicle body. .
[0019]
Accordingly, when the actuator 32 is actuated and the rod 48 moves obliquely upward on the rear side of the vehicle body, the shaft 34 and the lower leg restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 are integrated with the gear 42 via the rack 44 and the pinion 46. Rotate downward (in the direction of arrow A).
[0020]
In addition, a glove box 50 as an accessory case is disposed on the lower side of the vehicle body of the lower limb restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24. In other words, the lower limb restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 is disposed on the glove box 50 in the instrument panel 18. Further, an accessory opening 52 is formed on the general surface 18A of the instrument panel 18 facing the opening 50A of the glove box 50.
[0021]
Note that a door 54 is attached to the opening 50A of the glove box 50 so as to be openable and closable around a shaft 55. In a normal state, the door 54 passes through the opening 52 for storing accessories in the instrument panel 18 from the vehicle interior side. The door 54 can be opened and closed.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, arms 56 are respectively provided at the upper portions of both ends of the front wall 50 </ b> B of the glove box 50 in the vehicle width direction toward the upper front side of the vehicle body. The distal end portion 56A of each arm 56 is rotatably supported by left and right brackets 60 fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement 36 by pins 58 disposed along the vehicle width direction.
[0023]
Therefore, when the lower limb restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 rotates downward (in the direction of arrow A), the glove box 50 pressed by the lower limb restraining portion 30 from above is downward (in the direction of arrow B) around the pin 58. It rotates, and the leg restraining part 30 is an operation path | route formation means.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 4, when the glove box 50 rotates downward (in the direction of arrow B) about the pin 58, the accessory compartment opening 52 of the instrument panel 18 is opened, so that the lower limb restraint 30 is Through the accessory case opening 52, it can be moved to the lower limb restraining position shown in FIG.
[0025]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an airbag device 62 for the passenger seat and the driver seat is disposed on the upper portion 18B of the instrument panel 18 and the steering wheel (not shown) (see FIG. 1). 1 shows only the airbag device for the passenger seat), and an inflator 65 for inflating and deploying the airbag body 64 of these airbag devices 62 toward the upper body 28B of the passenger 28 seated on the passenger seat 20 includes: Each is connected to the control circuit 14.
[0026]
In addition, the code | symbol 66 of FIG. 1 has shown the seatbelt.
[0027]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0028]
In this embodiment, when the deceleration of the vehicle body detected by the acceleration sensor 12 exceeds a predetermined value and the control circuit 14 determines that the vehicle body 10 has collided, the control circuit 14 activates the airbag device 62, The actuator 32 of the active knee bolster 24 is operated. As a result, the rod 48 of the actuator 32 moves obliquely upward on the rear side of the vehicle body, and the shaft 34 and the lower limb restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 are integrally lowered with the gear 42 via the rack 44 and the pinion 46. Rotate in the direction of arrow A. Further, when the lower limb restricting portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 is rotated downward, the glove box 50 pressed from above by the lower limb restricting portion 30 is rotated downward (in the direction of arrow B) around the pin 58, and the instrument. Since the accessory compartment opening 52 of the panel 18 is opened, the lower limb restraint portion 30 moves to the lower limb restraint position shown in FIG. 4 through the accessory compartment opening 52. For this reason, since the lower limb part 28A of the occupant 28 can be reliably restrained from the diagonally upper front side of the vehicle body by the lower limb restricting part 30 of the active knee bolster 24, it is possible to reliably prevent the occupant leg from jumping up.
[0029]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the normal state, the position where the lower limb restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 is disposed can be disposed on the upper portion of the glove box 50 in the instrument panel 18. For this reason, it is not necessary to abolish or reduce the glove box 50 in the instrument panel 18, and small items can be stored in the glove box 50. Therefore, the convenience of the instrument panel 18 in a normal use state can be improved.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, since the lower limb restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 is disposed on the upper portion of the glove box 50, the glove box 50 is rotated downward (in the direction of arrow B), so that the instrument panel 18 is immediately turned. From the formed accessory case opening 52, the lower limb restraint portion 30 disposed in the instrument panel 18 can move to the occupant side. As a result, the lower limb restraint portion 30 can be quickly moved to the occupant side.
[0031]
Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle occupant protection device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0032]
In addition, about the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, arms 70 are respectively extended toward the front of the vehicle body at the upper ends of both side walls 50 </ b> C of the glove box 50. The pins 72 arranged along the direction are rotatably supported by the left and right brackets 60 fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement 36. Further, the tip portion 76A of the rod 76 of the actuation path forming actuator 74 as the actuation path forming means is rotatably connected to the tip end portion 70B of the arm 70 by a pin 78 disposed along the vehicle width direction. .
[0034]
The operation path forming actuator 74 is fixed to a bracket (not shown) provided on the vehicle body side along the vertical direction of the vehicle body, and the rod 76 moves from the lower side to the upper side of the vehicle body. Yes. The operation path forming actuator 74 is connected to the control circuit 14.
[0035]
Accordingly, when the actuation path forming actuator 74 is actuated, the rod 76 moves from the lower side of the vehicle body to the upper side, so that the glove box 50 rotates downward (in the direction of arrow B) around the pin 72.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 7, when the glove box 50 rotates downward (in the direction of arrow B) about the pin 72, the accessory opening 52 of the instrument panel 18 is opened.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 5, guide rails 80 are respectively provided along the vehicle body front-rear direction at both upper ends in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall portion 50 </ b> D of the glove box 50, and guide holes 80 </ b> A of these guide rails 80. In the active knee bolster 24, both end portions 82A of the shaft 82 disposed along the vehicle width direction are movably supported on the front end lower portion 30B of the lower limb restraining portion 30 of the lower leg.
[0038]
A tip end portion 84 </ b> A of the rod 84 of the actuator 32 is connected to the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 82. The actuator 32 is fixed to an actuator mounting portion 86 formed on the front wall 50B of the glove box 50. When the actuator 32 is operated, the lower limb restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 is moved by the guide rail 80 by the movement of the rod 84. Is moved substantially rearwardly (in the direction of arrow C).
[0039]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0040]
In this embodiment, when the deceleration of the vehicle body detected by the acceleration sensor 12 exceeds a predetermined value and the control circuit 14 determines that the vehicle body 10 has collided, the control circuit 14 activates the airbag device 62, The operation path forming actuator 74 is operated. As a result, the glove box 50 rotates downward (in the direction of arrow B) about the pin 72, and the accessory opening 52 of the instrument panel 18 is opened. Further, the lower leg restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 also rotates together with the glove box 50 and moves to a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
[0041]
Thereafter, the control circuit 14 operates the actuator 32 of the active knee bolster 24. As a result, the lower leg restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 moves along the guide rail 80 obliquely downward (in the direction of arrow C) on the rear side of the vehicle body. At this time, since the accessory compartment opening 52 of the instrument panel 18 is opened, the lower limb restraint portion 30 passes through the accessory compartment opening 52 and moves to the lower limb restraint position shown by a solid line in FIG.
[0042]
For this reason, since the lower limb part 28A of the occupant 28 can be reliably restrained from the diagonally upper front side of the vehicle body by the lower limb restricting part 30 of the active knee bolster 24, it is possible to reliably prevent the occupant leg from jumping up.
[0043]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in a normal state, the position where the lower limb restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 is disposed can be disposed on the glove box 50 in the instrument panel 18. For this reason, it is not necessary to abolish or reduce the glove box 50 in the instrument panel 18, and small items can be stored in the glove box 50. Therefore, the convenience of the instrument panel 18 in a normal use state can be improved.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, since the lower limb restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 is disposed on the upper portion of the glove box 50, the glove box 50 is rotated downward (in the direction of arrow B), so that the instrument panel 18 is immediately turned. From the formed accessory case opening 52, the lower limb restraint portion 30 disposed in the instrument panel 18 can move to the occupant side. As a result, the lower limb restraint portion 30 can be quickly moved to the occupant side.
[0045]
Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the acceleration sensor 12 is used as the collision determination means, but instead of this, by using a collision determination means such as a camera or a radar indicated by reference numeral 90 in FIG. A configuration may be adopted in which a collision is detected, that is, a collision is predicted and the active knee bolster 24 is operated.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention, a collision determination means for performing at least one of vehicle collision detection and collision prediction, and an accessory case movably disposed in an instrument panel. An opening for the accessory case formed in the instrument panel, and a lower leg restraining portion for preventing the leg of the target occupant from jumping up at the upper part of the accessory case in the instrument panel, and outputting an output signal of the collision determination means The lower limb restraint part is moved to the target occupant side and the accessory case is moved to the position where the opening for the accessory case is opened in the instrument panel by pressing the lower limb restraint part. since the leg restraining portion through the opening with a leg restraining means for moving the leg restraining position, the, have to be able to improve the convenience of the instrument panel in the normal use state It has an excellent effect. Moreover, it has the outstanding effect that a lower leg restraint part can be rapidly moved to the object passenger | crew side.
[0048]
According to a second aspect of the present invention , there is provided a vehicle occupant protection device according to the present invention , comprising: a collision determination means for performing at least one of vehicle collision detection and collision prediction; and an accessory case movably disposed in an instrument panel. An opening for the accessory case formed in the instrument panel, and a position for opening the accessory case in the instrument panel by receiving the output signal of the collision determination means provided in the instrument panel. And a lower leg restraining part that prevents the leg of the target occupant from jumping up on the upper part of the accessory case in the instrument panel, and opens the lower leg restraining part in response to the output signal of the collision judging means. Leg restraining means that moves to the leg restraining position through the accessory compartment opening, thus improving the convenience of the instrument panel in a normal use state. The invention has an advantage over. Moreover, it has the outstanding effect that a lower leg restraint part can be rapidly moved to the object passenger | crew side.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional side view showing a front part of a passenger compartment to which a vehicle occupant protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main part of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the obliquely rearward side of the vehicle.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged side sectional view showing a main part of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view showing a main part of the vehicle occupant protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of a vehicle occupant protection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention as seen from the obliquely rearward side of the vehicle.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged side sectional view showing a main part of a vehicle occupant protection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view showing a main part of a vehicle occupant protection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
12 Acceleration sensor (collision judging means)
14 Control circuit (collision judging means)
18 Instrument panel 20 Passenger seat 24 Active knee bolster (lower leg restraining means)
30 Active knee bolster leg restraint (working path forming means)
32 Active knee bolster actuator 50 Glove box (accessory compartment in the instrument panel)
52 Opening 74 for Small Items Actuation Path Formation Actuator (Activation Path Formation Means)

Claims (2)

Collision determination means for performing at least one of vehicle collision detection and collision prediction;
An accessory case movably arranged in the instrument panel;
An opening for the accessory case formed in the instrument panel;
A lower limb restraining portion for preventing the leg of the target occupant from jumping up on the upper part of the accessory case in the instrument panel, and the lower limb restraining portion is moved to the target occupant side in response to an output signal of the collision determination means The accessory case is moved to a position where the accessory case opening is opened in the instrument panel by pressing due to the movement of the leg restraining part, and the opening is opened through the opened accessory case opening. Leg restraining means for moving the leg restraining part to the leg restraining position;
An occupant protection device for a vehicle, comprising: Collision determination means for performing at least one of vehicle collision detection and collision prediction;
An accessory case movably arranged in the instrument panel;
An opening for the accessory case formed in the instrument panel;
An operation path forming means that is provided in the instrument panel and receives the output signal of the collision determination means, and moves the accessory case to a position in the instrument panel to open the opening for the accessory case;
The accessory case having a lower limb restraining portion for preventing the leg of the target occupant from jumping up at the upper part of the accessory case in the instrument panel, and receiving the output signal of the collision determination means and opening the lower limb restraining portion. Leg restraining means for moving to the leg restraining position through the opening for
An occupant protection device for a vehicle, comprising:

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