JP4134697B2 - Airbag device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an airbag device, and more particularly to an airbag device that protects an occupant in a vehicle such as an automobile at the time of a collision.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in an air bag device, an air bag device that is inflated at the time of a vehicle collision and restrains the movement of the occupant is provided with a gap between the opposing surfaces of the occupant's knees, heels, and instep and the instrument panel. There exists a structure which expands so that it may be filled (for example, refer patent document 1).
[0003]
Conventionally, there has been known an automobile to which a steering wheel having a steering-by-wire structure in which a general pedal mechanism and / or a general steering handle is omitted is used (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-315894 (FIG. 5)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-9-301193 (FIG. 3)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the conventional steering wheel airbag device is mounted on the steering wheel having the steering by wire structure without the steering shaft in Patent Document 2, the air developed from the steering wheel toward the occupant at the time of a vehicle collision. When an occupant comes into contact with the bag bag body, it is difficult to support the steering wheel and suppress the movement of the steering wheel and the airbag bag body toward the instrument panel. As a result, the occupant cannot be initially restrained by the airbag bag when the vehicle collides, and the impact cannot be absorbed effectively.
[0006]
In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device capable of effectively absorbing an impact received by an occupant in a steering wheel having a steering-by-wire structure.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The airbag device of the present invention according to claim 1 is a steering wheel having a steering-by-wire structure,
A first airbag bag body that is deployed between the surface of the steering wheel and an occupant during a collision;
When a collision occurs, it is deployed between the rear surface of the steering wheel and the instrument panel, and the deployment load of the first airbag bag body acting on the steering wheel and the occupant abuts against the first airbag bag body. A second airbag bag body for supporting the load ;
It is characterized by having.
[0008]
Therefore, when the vehicle collides, the first airbag bag body is deployed between the steering wheel surface of the steering-by-wire structure and the occupant, and the second airbag bag body is disposed between the rear surface of the steering wheel and the instrument panel. Expands. As a result, the deployment load of the first airbag bag body acting on the steering wheel and the load when the occupant contacts the first airbag bag body are deployed between the rear surface of the steering wheel and the instrument panel. It can be supported by an air bag body. For this reason, in the steering wheel having a steering-by-wire structure, the occupant can be initially restrained by the first airbag bag body and the second airbag bag body , so that the impact received by the occupant during a vehicle collision can be effectively absorbed.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to the first aspect, the second airbag bag body is also deployed between the instrument panel and a lower leg portion of an occupant. It is characterized by being.
[0010]
Therefore, in addition to the content of claim 1, wherein it is possible to reduce also the load applied to the lower leg of the occupant by the second air bag which is expanded, to protect the lower leg of the passenger.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to any one of the first and second aspects, the second airbag bag body is deployed from the steering wheel side.
[0012]
Therefore, in addition to the content described in any one of claims 1 and 2, the second airbag bag body is provided between a predetermined position of the steering wheel and an arbitrary position of the instrument panel regardless of the position of the steering wheel. expand. As a result, since the positional deviation between the steering wheel and the second airbag bag body does not occur, the steering wheel can be reliably supported by the second airbag bag body.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the deployed second airbag bag body and the deployed first airbag bag body are in contact with each other. Features.
[0014]
Therefore, in addition to the contents of any one of claims 1 to 3, if the deployed first airbag bag body does not contact the wheel ring of the steering wheel, the deployed first airbag bag body and the deployed The said 2nd airbag bag body contact | abutted. As a result, even when the first airbag bag body does not contact the wheel ring of the steering wheel, the deployed first airbag bag body can be supported by the deployed second airbag bag body. For this reason, even when the first airbag bag body does not come into contact with the wheel ring, it is possible to effectively absorb the impact received by the occupant when the vehicle collides.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the air bag apparatus further includes a distance detecting unit that detects a distance between the steering wheel and an occupant, and the distance detecting unit detects the distance. When the distance between the steering wheel and the occupant is smaller than a predetermined value, the deployment timing of the first airbag bag body is set earlier than the deployment timing of the second airbag bag body.
[0016]
Therefore, in addition to the content of any one of claims 1 to 4, when the interval between the steering wheel and the occupant detected by the interval detection means for detecting the interval between the steering wheel and the occupant is smaller than a predetermined value, The deployment timing of the first airbag bag body is set earlier than the deployment timing of the second airbag bag body. As a result, when the distance between the steering wheel and the occupant is narrow, the first airbag bag body is opened before the second airbag bag body, thereby acting on the occupant when the second airbag bag body is deployed. The impact that occurs can be reduced by the first airbag bag body.
[0017]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the airbag apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the steering wheel has a steering-by-wire structure supported via an arm extending from a predetermined position of the vehicle. It is characterized by being.
[0018]
Therefore, in addition to the content described in any one of claims 1 to 5, in a steering wheel having a steering-by-wire structure supported via an arm extending from a predetermined position of the vehicle, it is possible to effectively absorb an impact received by an occupant. .
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of an airbag apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0020]
In the figure, the arrow UP indicates the vehicle body upward direction, the arrow FR in the figure indicates the vehicle body front direction, and the arrow IN in the figure indicates the vehicle width inside direction.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 2, the steering wheel 10 of the present embodiment is circular, that is, the wheel ring 12 has a ring shape, and the airbag device 16 is disposed in the central portion 14. Further, the steering wheel 10 is disposed at the tip of an arm 22 extending from the floor tunnel portion 20 on the vehicle front side of the console box 18.
[0022]
That is, the steering wheel 10 is a steering wheel having a so-called steering-by-wire structure that does not have a conventional steering shaft, and the vehicle can be steered by an electric signal through a wire harness wired in the arm 22. Yes. The arm 22 has a flexible structure, and the steering wheel 10 can move up and down, right and left, and back and forth.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag device 16 disposed in the central portion 14 of the steering wheel 10 stores a first airbag bag body 30 and a second airbag bag body 32 in a folded state. Has been. The airbag device 16 includes an inflator 36, and when a load of a predetermined value or more is applied during a vehicle collision or the like, an acceleration sensor disposed at the front of the vehicle body detects this and controls the control ECU. The inflator 36 is actuated. When the inflator 36 is actuated, gas for inflation and deployment is ejected into the first airbag bag body 30 and the second airbag bag body 32. The airbag bag bodies 30 and 32 may be integrated, but may be separately provided separately. The inflator 36 may be a plurality of inflators corresponding to each airbag bag body.
[0024]
The first airbag body 30 is deployed between the front surface (surface on the occupant 38) 10A of the steering wheel 10 and the occupant 38. Further, the second airbag bag body 32 is developed between the back surface (surface on the instrument panel 40 side) 10 </ b> B of the steering wheel 10 and the instrument panel 40.
[0025]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, when a load of a predetermined value or more is applied during a vehicle collision or the like, the acceleration sensor arranged at the front part of the vehicle body senses this, and the inflator 36 is actuated, and the gas for inflation and deployment becomes the first airbag. It is ejected into the bag body 30 and the second airbag bag body 32.
[0027]
The first airbag bag body 30 that has begun to be filled with gas is inflated and deployed between the surface 10A of the steering wheel 10 and the occupant 38, and the second airbag bag body 32 that has begun to be filled with the gas is the steering wheel. 10 expands and deploys between the back surface 10B of the instrument 10 and the instrument panel 40. The outer peripheral portion 30 </ b> A on the steering wheel side of the inflated and deployed first airbag bag body 30 is supported by the wheel ring 12.
[0028]
As a result, the deployment load of the first airbag bag body 30 acting on the steering wheel 10 and the load when the occupant 38 comes into contact with the first airbag bag body 30 are measured with the back surface 10B of the steering wheel 10 and the instrument panel 40. Can be supported by the second airbag bag body 32 deployed between the two. For this reason, in the steering wheel 10 having the steering-by-wire structure, the first airbag bag body 30 can initially restrain the occupant, so that the impact received by the occupant during a vehicle collision can be effectively absorbed.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, since the second airbag bag body 32 is disposed on the steering wheel 10, even if the position of the steering wheel 10 changes, the second airbag bag body 32 is connected to the back surface 10B of the steering wheel 10. It is possible to reliably inflate and deploy between the instrument panel 40 and the instrument panel 40. For example, even when the position of the steering wheel 10 moves to the passenger seat side, the second airbag bag body 32 can be reliably inflated and deployed between the back surface 10B of the steering wheel 10 and the instrument panel 40. .
[0030]
As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the second airbag bag body 32 is greatly inflated and deployed downward along the instrument panel 40 so that the second airbag bag body 32 has a lower leg portion of the occupant 38, That is, the knee airbag bag body that protects the knee 38A, the heel 38B, and the instep 38C may be used. In addition, the deployment area that also serves as the knee airbag body of the second airbag body 32 may be any area that can be deployed at least in an area that protects the knee 38A.
[0031]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a distance sensor 42 including an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and the like as a distance detecting means for detecting the distance between the steering wheel 10 and the occupant 38 is disposed on the surface 10A of the steering wheel 10. In addition, the inflator 36 is divided into an inflator for the first airbag bag body 30 and an inflator for the second airbag bag body 32, and the distance between the steering wheel 10 and the occupant 38 detected by the distance sensor 42 is greater than a predetermined value. When it is small, the deployment timing of the first airbag bag body 30 may be earlier than the deployment timing of the second airbag bag body 32. In this configuration, when the distance between the steering wheel 10 and the occupant 38 is small, the first airbag bag body 30 is opened before the second airbag bag body 32, whereby the second airbag. The impact acting on the occupant 38 when the bag body 32 is deployed can be reduced by the first airbag bag body 30.
[0032]
Next, 2nd Embodiment of the airbag apparatus of this invention is described according to FIG.
[0033]
In addition, about the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, only the first airbag bag body 30 is accommodated in the airbag device 16 disposed on the steering wheel 10, and the rear surface 10 </ b> B of the steering wheel 10 and the instrument are accommodated. The second airbag bag body 32 that is inflated and deployed between the panel 40 and the panel 40 is stored in a folded state in an airbag device 50 disposed on the upper portion 40A of the instrument panel 40 facing the back surface 10B of the steering wheel 10. Yes.
[0035]
The airbag device 50 has a built-in inflator 52. When a load of a predetermined value or more is applied during a vehicle collision or the like, the inflator 52 is activated and deployed and inflated inside the second airbag bag body 32. The gas for use is spouted out.
[0036]
Further, the second airbag bag body 32 is greatly expanded and deployed downward along the instrument panel 40 to form a knee airbag bag body that protects the knee 38A, the heel 38B, and the instep 38C of the occupant 38. .
[0037]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0038]
In the present embodiment, when a load of a predetermined value or more is applied at the time of a vehicle collision or the like, the acceleration sensor arranged at the airbag device 16 or 50 or the front part of the vehicle body detects this, and the inflators 36 and 50 are actuated to deploy. The inflation gas is jetted into the first airbag bag body 30 and the second airbag bag body 32.
[0039]
The first airbag bag body 30 that has begun to be filled with gas is inflated and deployed between the surface 10A of the steering wheel 10 and the occupant 38, and the second airbag bag body 32 that has begun to be filled with the gas is the steering wheel. 10 expands and deploys between the back surface 10B of the instrument 10 and the instrument panel 40.
[0040]
As a result, the deployment load of the first airbag bag body 30 acting on the steering wheel 10 and the load when the occupant 38 comes into contact with the first airbag bag body 30 are measured with the back surface 10B of the steering wheel 10 and the instrument panel 40. Can be supported by the second airbag bag body 32 deployed between the two. For this reason, in the steering wheel 10 having the steering-by-wire structure, the first airbag bag body 30 can initially restrain the occupant, so that the impact received by the occupant during a vehicle collision can be effectively absorbed.
[0041]
Further, the knee 38A, the heel 38B, and the instep 38C of the occupant 38 can be protected by the second airbag bag body 32.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 3, a distance sensor 42 composed of an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor or the like is disposed on the surface 10A of the steering wheel 10 as a distance detecting means for detecting the distance between the steering wheel 10 and the occupant 38. When the distance between the steering wheel 10 and the occupant 38 detected by the distance sensor 42 is smaller than a predetermined value, the deployment timing of the first airbag bag body 30 is set earlier than the deployment timing of the second airbag bag body 32. Also good. In this configuration, when the distance between the steering wheel 10 and the occupant 38 is small, the first airbag bag body 30 is opened before the second airbag bag body 32, whereby the second airbag. The impact acting on the occupant 38 when the bag body 32 is deployed can be reduced by the first airbag bag body 30.
[0043]
Further, the arrangement position of the airbag device 50 in which the second airbag bag body 32 is accommodated is not limited to the upper portion 40A facing the back surface 10B of the steering wheel 10 in the instrument panel 40, but as shown in FIG. You may arrange | position the airbag apparatus 50 in other parts, such as the lower part 40B of the instrument panel 40. FIG.
[0044]
Next, a third embodiment of the airbag apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0045]
In addition, about the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 6, the steering wheel 10 of this embodiment is not circular. That is, the wheel ring 12 is not in a ring shape, and only the left and right grips 12A and 12B are configured.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral portion 30A on the steering wheel side of the deployed first airbag bag body 30 has left and right gripping portions 12A and 12B of the wheel ring 12 in the left-right direction of the steering wheel 10. It has come to be supported by. Further, the outer peripheral portion 30 </ b> A on the steering wheel side of the developed first airbag bag body 30 abuts on the second airbag bag body 32 in the vertical direction of the steering wheel 10 and is directly supported by the second airbag bag body 32. It has come to be.
[0048]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0049]
In the present embodiment, in addition to the operational effects described in the first embodiment, the wheel ring 12 of the steering wheel 10 is not ring-shaped, and has only the left and right grip portions 12A and 12B. The upper and lower portions in the outer peripheral portion 30 </ b> A on the steering wheel side of the deployed first airbag bag body 30 do not contact the wheel ring 12. However, the upper and lower portions of the outer peripheral portion 30 </ b> A on the steering wheel side of the first airbag bag body 30 are in contact with the second airbag bag body 32.
[0050]
As a result, even when a part of the first airbag bag body 30 does not come into contact with the wheel ring 12 of the steering wheel 10, the second airbag bag body 32 that deploys the inflated and deployed first airbag bag body 30. I can support it. For this reason, even in the steering wheel 10 having a steering-by-wire structure in which the wheel ring 12 is not circular and the first airbag bag body 30 does not come into contact with part or all of the wheel ring 12, the impact received by the occupant during a vehicle collision is effective. Can be absorbed.
[0051]
Next, 4th Embodiment of the airbag apparatus of this invention is described according to FIG.7 and FIG.8.
[0052]
In addition, about the same member as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the arm 22 that supports the steering wheel 10 protrudes from the center in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel 40.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 7, an extending portion 22A bent forward of the vehicle is formed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the arm 22, and the front end portion 22B of the extending portion 22A is arranged along the vehicle vertical direction. It is rotatably supported around a pin 54 provided. For this reason, the steering wheel 10 fixed to the arm 22 is rotatable about the pin 54 forward (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 7) and backward (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7).
[0055]
A rear end portion 56A of the stopper 56 is engaged with the extending portion 22A of the arm 22 from the inner side in the vehicle width direction, thereby preventing the arm 22 from rotating. Further, the front end portion 56B of the stopper 56 is rotatable about the pin 58 inward in the vehicle width (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 7) and outward in the vehicle width (in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 7). Further, when the stopper 56 rotates inward of the vehicle width and moves from the normal position indicated by the solid line to the unlocking position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, the extension portion 22A of the arm 22 and the rear end portion 56A of the stopper 56 are The engagement is released.
[0056]
An extended portion 56C is formed from the front end portion 56B of the stopper 56 toward the inside of the vehicle width, and a rod 60 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction via a pin 58 is formed at a substantially central portion of the extended portion 56C. The rear end portion 60A is connected. On the other hand, a weight 62 is fixed to the front end portion 60 </ b> B of the rod 60, and a biasing means 64 such as a coil spring is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the rod 60. The urging means 64 is sandwiched between the extended portion 56C of the stopper 56 and the panel 66 through which the intermediate portion 60C of the rod 60 is inserted, and the extended portion 56C of the stopper 56 is positioned behind the vehicle (the arrow in FIG. 7). E direction).
[0057]
Therefore, in the normal state, the extending portion 56C of the stopper 56 is urged in the direction of arrow D by the urging force of the urging means 64 and is in the position of the solid line in FIG. Is engaged with the extended portion 22A.
[0058]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0059]
In this embodiment, in addition to the operational effects described in the first embodiment, in the normal state, the stopper 56 is urged in the direction of arrow D by the urging force of the urging means 64 and is in the position of the solid line in FIG. As a result, the rear end portion 56A of the stopper 56 is engaged with the extending portion 22A of the arm 22, and the steering wheel 10 is prevented from rotating in the direction of arrow A or arrow B. For this reason, the steering wheel 10 does not sway in the arrow A direction or the arrow B direction during operation, and operability can be improved.
[0060]
Further, when a load of a predetermined value or more is applied at the time of a vehicle collision or the like, the first airbag bag body 30 and the second airbag bag body 32 are inflated and deployed, and the weight 62 is biased by the biasing means 64 due to inertia. Effectively, the vehicle moves forward (in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 7). As a result, the stopper 56 rotates about the pin 58 inward in the vehicle width (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 7) via the rod 60 and moves to the unlocking position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. For this reason, the engagement between the extended portion 22A of the arm 22 and the rear end portion 56A of the stopper 56 is released, and the steering wheel 10 can rotate in the direction of arrow A or arrow B.
[0061]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the occupant comes into contact with the first airbag bag body 30, the steering wheel 10 that supports the first airbag bag body 30 easily moves in the direction of arrow A, thereby absorbing shock. Sometimes, the rigidity of the steering wheel 10 can prevent an unintended load from acting on the occupant.
[0062]
As shown in FIG. 9, the lock pin 70 is inserted into the recess 68 formed from the inside of the vehicle width in the extending portion 22 </ b> A of the arm 22, and the steering wheel 10 swings in the direction of arrow A or arrow B during operation. When a load of a predetermined value or more is applied in the event of a vehicle collision or the like, an actuator 74 such as a solenoid is actuated by a control signal from the control device 72, so that the lock pin 70 is moved inwardly of the vehicle width. It is good also as a structure which the steering wheel 10 moves to the arrow A direction or the arrow B direction easily by moving to (arrow G direction of FIG. 8).
[0063]
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.
[0064]
For example, the distance detection means can be obtained from the front / rear adjustment position of the seat and the front / rear adjustment position of the steering, but can also be obtained by combining them. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the arm 22 that supports the steering wheel 10 may be configured to protrude from other parts such as the front side door 80.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an airbag apparatus according to the present invention, a steering wheel having a steering-by-wire structure, a first airbag bag body that is deployed between the surface of the steering wheel and an occupant at the time of a collision, and a rear surface of the steering wheel at the time of a collision. A second airbag bag that is deployed between the instrument panel and supports the deployment load of the first airbag bag acting on the steering wheel and the load when the occupant comes into contact with the first airbag bag; Therefore, the steering wheel having a steering-by-wire structure has an excellent effect of effectively absorbing the impact received by the occupant.
[0066]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to the first aspect, the second airbag bag body is a knee airbag bag body that is also deployed between the instrument panel and the lower leg portion of the occupant. Therefore, in addition to the effect of claim 1, wherein, with an excellent effect that the occupant of the lower leg portion can be protected.
[0067]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to the first or second aspect, the second airbag bag body is deployed from the steering wheel side. In addition to the effects described above, the steering wheel can be reliably supported by the second airbag bag body.
[0068]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the airbag device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the deployed second airbag bag body and the deployed first airbag bag body are in contact with each other. In addition to the effect described in any one of 1 to 3, even when the first airbag bag body does not come into contact with the wheel ring, it has an excellent effect of being able to effectively absorb the impact received by the occupant during a vehicle collision .
[0069]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the airbag apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the steering wheel has a distance detecting means for detecting a distance between the steering wheel and an occupant and is detected by the distance detecting means. The effect according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in order to make the deployment timing of the first airbag bag body earlier than the deployment timing of the second airbag bag body when the distance between the passenger and the occupant is smaller than a predetermined value. In addition, when the distance between the steering wheel and the occupant is narrow, the first airbag bag body has an excellent effect that the impact acting on the occupant when the second airbag bag body is deployed can be reduced.
[0070]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the airbag apparatus according to any of the first to fifth aspects, the steering wheel has a steering-by-wire structure supported via an arm extending from a predetermined position of the vehicle. Therefore, the steering wheel having the steering-by-wire structure has an excellent effect of effectively absorbing the impact received by the occupant.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view showing an airbag apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the passenger compartment to which the airbag apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied, as viewed from the obliquely rearward side of the vehicle.
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional side view showing an airbag apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional side view showing an airbag apparatus according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional side view showing an airbag apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a passenger compartment to which an airbag apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied, as seen from the obliquely rearward side of the vehicle.
FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing an airbag apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a passenger compartment to which an airbag device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied, as viewed from the obliquely rearward side of the vehicle.
FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing an airbag apparatus according to a modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a passenger compartment to which an airbag device according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied, as viewed from the obliquely rearward side of the vehicle.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Steering wheel 12 Wheel ring 16 Airbag apparatus 22 Arm 30 1st airbag bag body 32 2nd airbag bag body 36 Inflator 38 Crew 40 Instrument panel 42 Distance sensor (space | interval detection means)
50 Airbag device 52 Inflator

Claims (6)

A steering wheel with a steering-by-wire structure,
A first airbag bag body that is deployed between the surface of the steering wheel and an occupant during a collision;
When a collision occurs, it is deployed between the rear surface of the steering wheel and the instrument panel, and the deployment load of the first airbag bag body acting on the steering wheel and the occupant abuts against the first airbag bag body. A second airbag bag body for supporting the load ;
An air bag apparatus comprising: The airbag apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second airbag bag body is a knee airbag bag body that is also deployed between the instrument panel and a lower leg portion of an occupant.   The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the second airbag bag body is deployed from the steering wheel side.   The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the deployed second airbag bag body and the deployed first airbag bag body abut.   And an interval detecting means for detecting an interval between the steering wheel and an occupant, and when the interval between the steering wheel and the occupant detected by the interval detecting means is smaller than a predetermined value, the first airbag bag body The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the deployment timing is made earlier than the deployment timing of the second airbag bag body.   The airbag apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the steering wheel has a steering-by-wire structure supported via an arm extending from a predetermined position of the vehicle.

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