JP4372593B2 - Knee protector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention comprises a knee protection panel that is extended by a drive mechanism to the front side of an occupant's knee in a vehicle collision and is capable of absorbing the kinetic energy of the knee by restraining the knee moving forward. It relates to a protective device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is one that restrains a knee by a knee protector so as to protect the knee at the time of a vehicle collision (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a knee protector having a substantially waveform is disposed so as to prevent the knee from jumping up when the vehicle collides (for example, see Patent Document 2), and further, the knee is protected by using a gas bag at the time of the vehicle collision. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-182851 JP-A-5-221276 Special Table 2002-521257

  However, the devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot protect the knee by absorbing the kinetic energy of the knee, and there is room for improvement in terms of protecting the knee. In addition, since the apparatus described in Patent Document 3 uses a gas bag, it can provide a cushioning action and protect the knee, but requires an apparatus such as an inflator for generating gas, which is costly. Will rise.

  As a countermeasure, a shock absorbing material that can plastically deform and absorb the kinetic energy of the knee is provided on the panel that can restrain the knee, and when the vehicle collides, the panel is extended to the front side of the knee. ,Conceivable.

  And in this case, in the event of a vehicle collision, considering the arrangement position of the knee according to the physique and posture of the occupant, if the shock absorber is arranged in a wide area, the support member has rigidity to support the shock absorber The need for a large area increases, the weight increases, and the drive means for moving to the front side of the knee, including the wide support member, also increases in size, which further increases the weight of the device, which is preferable. Absent.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and provides a knee protection device capable of protecting the knee by suppressing an increase in weight and volume, absorbing the kinetic energy of the knee at the time of a vehicle collision. With the goal.

The first knee protection device according to the present invention is a knee protection device that is extended to the front side of an occupant's knee by a drive mechanism in a vehicle collision, and restrains the knee moving forward to absorb the kinetic energy of the knee. A knee protection device comprising a panel,
The knee protection panel includes a panel body that is disposed over the entire rear surface side and interferes with the knee, and a shock absorber that is disposed on the front surface side of the panel body and can be plastically deformed to absorb kinetic energy. And
A drive mechanism that supports the front side of the shock absorbing material when restraining the knee, and a drive source that moves the support plate backward together with the knee protection panel to the front side of the occupant's knee in the event of a vehicle collision; Configured with
The shock absorber makes the projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than the panel body, and gradually decreases the cross-sectional area in the vertical direction from the panel body side to the support plate side,
The support plate is configured to support the shock absorber in a shape substantially the same as the shape of the front side of the shock absorber.

  In the first knee protection device of the present invention, when the drive source of the drive mechanism is activated during operation, the support plate moves to the vehicle rear side, and the knee protection is supported with the front side of the shock absorbing material supported. Since the panel is placed on the front side of the occupant's knee, even if the knee that moves forward interferes with the knee protection panel, the shock absorbing material supported by the support plate on the front side of the panel body in the knee protection panel is used. Since it is restrained by the knee protection panel in a state in which it is plastically deformed and kinetic energy is reduced, it is effectively protected.

  In particular, in the first knee protection device, the shock absorber is arranged not to cover the entire area of the panel body in the knee protection panel, but to have a projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than that of the panel body. The cross-sectional area in the vertical direction from the main body side to the support plate side is gradually reduced so that the support plate supports the shock absorber in the same shape as the shape of the front side of the shock absorber. Therefore, the support plate having rigidity for supporting the shock absorber can be miniaturized as much as possible. And the shock absorber itself has a larger area on the panel body side than the area on the support plate side, and even if the knee interferes with the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the panel body, the area to be plastically deformed as much as possible is secured. Yes. Therefore, even when the knee interference position with respect to the panel main body is changed in a state where the support plate is downsized, the kinetic energy of the knee can be effectively absorbed.

  Therefore, in the first knee protection device according to the present invention, the plastic deformation region of the shock absorber can be secured widely, and the support plate having rigidity for supporting the shock absorber can be made compact. It is possible to suppress the increase, absorb the kinetic energy of the knee at the time of the vehicle collision, and effectively protect the knee.

The second knee protection device according to the present invention is a knee protection device that is extended to the front side of an occupant's knee by a drive mechanism in a vehicle collision and can restrain the knee moving forward to absorb the kinetic energy of the knee. A knee protection device comprising a panel,
The knee protection panel includes a panel body that is disposed over the entire rear surface side and interferes with the knee, and a shock absorber that is disposed on the front surface side of the panel body and can be plastically deformed to absorb kinetic energy. And
A drive mechanism that supports the front side of the shock absorbing material when restraining the knee, and a drive source that moves the support plate backward together with the knee protection panel to the front side of the occupant's knee in the event of a vehicle collision; Configured with
The shock absorber is configured so that the projected area in the front-rear direction is smaller than the panel body, and the support plate is configured to support the shock absorber in a shape substantially the same as the shape of the front side of the shock absorber. ,
The flexible connecting material allows rotational movement to the front side near the upper edge of the panel body when the knee is restrained, and restricts rotational movement to the rear side near the upper edge of the panel body when the knee is restrained. The upper edge of the outer peripheral edge of the panel main body and the vicinity of the upper edge of the support plate at the time of knee restraint are connected to each other.

  Even in the second knee protection device according to the present invention, when the drive source of the drive mechanism is activated during operation, the support plate moves to the vehicle rear side and supports the front side of the shock absorber. Since the protective panel is arranged on the front side of the occupant's knee, even if the knee that moves forward interferes with the knee protective panel, the shock absorber is supported by the support plate on the front side of the panel body in the knee protective panel. Since it is plastically deformed and restrained by the knee protection panel in a state where the kinetic energy is reduced, it is effectively protected.

  And also in this 2nd knee protection device, although the support plate supports the shock absorber as the shape on the front side of the shock absorber, the shock absorber is in the knee protection panel. Since the projected area in the front-rear direction, rather than the entire area of the panel body, is arranged to be smaller than the panel body, the support plate having rigidity for supporting the shock absorber can be miniaturized as much as possible.

In particular, in the second knee protection device, a flexible connecting material for connecting the upper edge of the outer peripheral edge of the panel body and the vicinity of the upper edge of the support plate at the time of knee restraint is provided, The knee is allowed to rotate forward in the vicinity of the upper edge of the panel body when restrained by the knee, and can be restricted from moving backward in the vicinity of the upper edge of the panel body when restrained by the knee. Even if it interferes with the vicinity of the lower edge of the outer peripheral edge of the main body and moves the vicinity of the lower edge to the front side, the connecting material causes a point-symmetric position of the interference region around the center of the panel main body , That is, the rotational movement to the rear side is restricted near the upper edge of the panel body . For this reason, the part near the lower edge of the panel body where the knee interferes moves forward by generating a rotational moment centered around the center of the panel body, even if no shock absorber is directly placed on the front side. The impact absorbing material in the vicinity is plastically deformed and moved forward, and as a result, the kinetic energy of the knee is accurately absorbed by the shock absorbing material.

  Therefore, even in the second knee protection device, the plastic deformation region of the shock absorber can be substantially widened, and the support plate having rigidity for supporting the shock absorber can be made compact. It is possible to suppress the increase, absorb the kinetic energy of the knee at the time of the vehicle collision, and effectively protect the knee.

In the third knee protection device according to the present invention, at the time of a vehicle collision, the knee protection device is capable of absorbing the kinetic energy of the knee by restraining the knee moving forward by the driving mechanism to the front side of the occupant's knee. A knee protection device comprising a panel,
The knee protection panel includes a panel body that is disposed over the entire rear surface side and interferes with the knee, and a shock absorber that is disposed on the front surface side of the panel body and can be plastically deformed to absorb kinetic energy. And
A drive mechanism that supports the front side of the shock absorbing material when restraining the knee, and a drive source that moves the support plate backward together with the knee protection panel to the front side of the occupant's knee in the event of a vehicle collision; Configured with
The shock absorber is configured so that the projected area in the front-rear direction is smaller than the panel body, and the support plate is configured to support the shock absorber in a shape substantially the same as the shape of the front side of the shock absorber. ,
The panel body is constructed by protruding ribs on the front side at positions where no shock absorber is provided on the front side so that the bending strength is higher than the compressive strength of the shock absorber. Features.

  Even in the third knee protection device according to the present invention, when the drive source of the drive mechanism is activated during operation, the support plate moves to the vehicle rear side, and supports the front side of the shock absorber. Since the protective panel is arranged on the front side of the occupant's knee, even if the knee that moves forward interferes with the knee protective panel, the shock absorber is supported by the support plate on the front side of the panel body in the knee protective panel. Since it is plastically deformed and restrained by the knee protection panel in a state where the kinetic energy is reduced, it is effectively protected.

  And also in this 3rd knee protection device, although the support plate supports the shock absorber as the shape on the front side of the shock absorber, the shock absorber is in the knee protection panel. Since the projected area in the front-rear direction, rather than the entire area of the panel body, is arranged to be smaller than the panel body, the support plate having rigidity for supporting the shock absorber can be miniaturized as much as possible.

And in particular, in the third knee protection device, since the bending strength of the panel body is set higher than the compressive strength of the shock absorber, when the knee moving forward with respect to the panel body interferes, Even if the panel body does not have a shock absorber directly on the front side of the interference part, if the rib protrudes , the panel body moves forward with minimal bending deformation as much as possible. The nearby shock absorber is plastically deformed, and as a result, the knee is absorbed in its kinetic energy.

  Therefore, even in the third knee protection device according to the present invention, the plastic deformation region of the shock absorbing material can be substantially widened, and the support plate having rigidity for supporting the shock absorbing material can be made compact. Further, it is possible to suppress the increase in volume, absorb the kinetic energy of the knee at the time of the vehicle collision, and effectively protect the knee.

The fourth knee protection device according to the present invention is a knee protection device that is extended to the front side of the occupant's knee by a drive mechanism at the time of a vehicle collision, and can restrain the knee moving forward to absorb the kinetic energy of the knee. A knee protection device comprising a panel,
The knee protection panel includes a panel body that is disposed over the entire rear surface side and interferes with the knee, and a shock absorber that is disposed on the front surface side of the panel body and can be plastically deformed to absorb kinetic energy. And
A drive mechanism that supports the front side of the shock absorbing material when restraining the knee, and a drive source that moves the support plate backward together with the knee protection panel to the front side of the occupant's knee in the event of a vehicle collision; Configured with
The shock absorber is configured so that the projected area in the front-rear direction is smaller than the panel body, and the support plate is configured to support the shock absorber in a shape substantially the same as the shape of the front side of the shock absorber. ,
A plurality of sets of shock absorbers and support plates that support the shock absorbers are arranged on the front side of the panel body.
Constraining the knees that enter between the support plates that are not provided on the front side of the panel body, are arranged so as to connect the separated support plates of each set , A second shock absorbing material capable of absorbing the knee kinetic energy by plastic deformation is provided.

  Even in the fourth knee protection device of the present invention, when the drive source of the drive mechanism is activated during operation, the support plate moves to the vehicle rear side, and the knee protection is supported with the front side of the shock absorbing material supported. Since the panel is placed on the front side of the occupant's knee, even if the knee that moves forward interferes with the knee protection panel, the shock absorbing material supported by the support plate on the front side of the panel body in the knee protection panel is used. Since it is restrained by the knee protection panel in a state in which it is plastically deformed and kinetic energy is reduced, it is effectively protected.

  Further, in the fourth knee protection device, the support plate supports the shock absorbing material in a shape substantially the same as the shape of the front side of the shock absorbing material, but the shock absorbing material is in the knee protection panel. Since the projected area in the front-rear direction is smaller than the panel main body, rather than the entire area of the panel main body, and is further divided into multiple parts on the front side of the panel main body, The support plate having rigidity for supporting the shock absorbing material can be miniaturized.

In particular, a second shock absorbing material is disposed so as to connect each pair of support plates of the shock absorbing material and the support plate that supports the shock absorbing material, and is provided on the front side of the panel body. Even if a knee that moves forward interferes with a portion where the support plate is not disposed, the knee is plastically deformed by the second shock absorber through the panel body, so that the kinetic energy is absorbed. Therefore, it is protected properly.

  Therefore, in the fourth knee protection device according to the present invention, even if each support plate is made compact, the kinetic energy of the knee entering between the support plates by the second shock absorber disposed between the support plates. Because it can absorb shock, the support plate with rigidity to support the shock absorber can be made compact, suppressing the increase in weight and volume, absorbing the kinetic energy of the knee at the time of vehicle collision, and effecting the knee Can be protected.

  Note that the second shock absorber of the fourth knee protection device is merely disposed so as to connect the separated support plates, and the knee protection device accompanying the downsizing of the support plates. Does not hinder the effect of preventing the increase in weight and volume.

The fifth knee protection device according to the present invention is a knee protection device that is extended to the front side of the occupant's knee by a drive mechanism at the time of a vehicle collision and can restrain the knee moving forward to absorb the kinetic energy of the knee. A knee protection device comprising a panel,
The knee protection panel includes a panel body that is disposed over the entire rear surface side and interferes with the knee, and a shock absorber that is disposed on the front surface side of the panel body and can be plastically deformed to absorb kinetic energy. And
A drive mechanism that supports the front side of the shock absorbing material when restraining the knee, and a drive source that moves the support plate backward together with the knee protection panel to the front side of the occupant's knee in the event of a vehicle collision; Configured with
The shock absorber is configured so that the projected area in the front-rear direction is smaller than the panel body, and the support plate is configured to support the shock absorber in a shape substantially the same as the shape of the front side of the shock absorber. ,
A second shock absorber that can be plastically deformed and absorbs kinetic energy is disposed on the front side of the panel body, and the front side of the second shock absorber can be supported. The support member is configured to be arranged so as to be drawn out from the drive mechanism when the support plate is moved backward in the drive mechanism.

  Even in the fifth knee protection device, when the drive source of the drive mechanism is activated during operation, the support plate moves to the vehicle rear side, and the knee protection panel is supported while supporting the front side of the shock absorber. Because it is placed on the front side of the occupant's knee, even if the knee that moves forward interferes with the knee protection panel, the shock absorbing material supported by the support plate on the front side of the panel body in the knee protection panel is plastically deformed And is restrained effectively by being restrained by the knee protection panel in a state where the kinetic energy is reduced.

  Further, even in the fifth knee protection device, the support plate supports the shock absorbing material as the shape of the front side of the shock absorbing material, but the shock absorbing material is Since the projected area in the front-rear direction, rather than the entire area of the panel body, is arranged to be smaller than the panel body, the support plate having rigidity for supporting the shock absorber can be miniaturized as much as possible.

  In particular, the front side of the panel body is provided with a second shock absorber that is plastically deformed and can absorb kinetic energy away from the shock absorber, and the front side of the second shock absorber. The support member capable of supporting the slidable member is configured so as to be extended and disposed from the drive mechanism when the support plate in the drive mechanism moves backward. Therefore, even if the knee that moves forward interferes with the arrangement region of the second shock absorber away from the region of the support plate that supports the shock absorber, the second shock absorber is extended. It is supported by the material, plastically deforms, and accurately absorbs the kinetic energy of the knee.

  Therefore, in the fifth knee protection device according to the present invention, even if the support plate is made compact, the kinetic energy of the knee entering the area away from the support plate is reduced by the second shock absorber away from the support plate. Since it is possible to absorb, the support plate with rigidity supporting the shock absorber can be made compact, suppressing the increase in weight and volume, absorbing the kinetic energy of the knee at the time of vehicle collision, and effective the knee Can be protected.

  In addition, the support material that supports the second shock absorbing material and the second shock absorbing material may be arranged so as to be separated from the support plate and as a small occupied area without being arranged so as to be continuous with the support plate, Since the panel main body has a certain degree of rigidity, it can absorb the kinetic energy of the knee without any trouble, and the support material does not hinder the effect of preventing the increase in weight and volume of the knee protection device accompanying the downsizing of the support plate.

  Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the knee protection device S <b> 1 of the first embodiment can restrain the knee K of the driver M as an occupant. It is arranged below the steering column 6 on the vehicle front side of the driver M.

  The vertical / front / rear / left / right relationship in this specification is based on the state in which the knee protection device S1 is mounted on the vehicle, and is consistent with the vertical / front / rear / left / right relationship of the vehicle when mounted. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the steering column 6 includes a main shaft 7 coupled to the steering wheel 5, a column tube 8 that covers the periphery of the main shaft 7, and a column cover 9 that covers the periphery thereof. Has been. The column cover 9 is disposed so as to protrude obliquely upward and rearward from an instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as instrument panel) 12 as an interior material.

  The knee protection device S <b> 1 includes a knee protection panel 21 and a drive mechanism 30 that moves the knee protection panel 21.

  The drive mechanism 30 includes an actuator 31 as a drive source capable of moving a drive rod 32 protruding rearward to the rear side. The actuator 31 includes a hydraulic cylinder, an electromagnetic solenoid, an electric motor, and the like, and the operation is controlled by the control device 17. The actuator 31 is held on the body side member 1 side such as the instrument panel reinforcement 2 having rigidity of the vehicle with brackets 3 and 4 interposed therebetween.

  In the knee protection device S <b> 1 of the first embodiment, two actuators 31 of the drive mechanism 30 are used and arranged on the left and right sides of the column cover 9, respectively.

  And the drive rod 32 of each actuator 31 has connected the support plate 33 made from the substantially square steel plate with the rigidity arrange | positioned by the up-down direction at the rear end. Each support plate 33 is disposed in each of the left and right regions 22a and 22b of the column cover 9 in the panel body 22 of the knee protection panel 21 when viewed from the vehicle rear side, and is an abbreviation of the regions 22a and 22b. It is arranged at the center front side of the vehicle.

  The knee protection panel 21 includes a panel main body 22 and a shock absorber 25 disposed on the front side of the panel main body 22. The panel body 22 is made of a synthetic resin such as a substantially rectangular plate-like polypropylene / ABS resin, and is disposed in the opening 13 of the instrument panel 12 as an interior material. Note that the opening 13 has a substantially rectangular shape and is disposed in a region extending left and right on the lower side of the column cover 9 so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

  Locking legs 23 that can be inserted into locking holes 15 formed in the peripheral edge 14 of the opening 13 of the instrument panel 12 and can be locked to the peripheral edge 14 respectively on the front side at the four corners of the outer peripheral edge of the panel body 22. However, it protrudes on the front side. When these locking legs 23 are locked to the peripheral edge portion 14, the knee protection panel 21 has a surface on the vehicle rear side as the vehicle rear side of the instrument panel 12 in a state before the knee protection device S <b> 1 is activated. The front side of the occupant M is improved in design so as to be flush with the side surface.

  The shock absorber 25 is fixed to the front side of the left and right regions 22a and 22b of the panel body 22, and is made of a thermoplastic elastomer such as olefin or a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, or a metal such as a sheet metal, A plurality of ribs are provided as appropriate, or a foam layer is provided so that plastic deformation is possible so as to reduce the thickness in the front-rear direction, and kinetic energy is absorbed during the plastic deformation.

  Each of the shock absorbers 25 has a projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than the left and right regions 22a and 22b of the panel body 22, and a vertical sectional area from the panel body 22 side to the support plate 33 side. Is gradually decreasing. The front surface 25 a of each shock absorber 25 has a substantially rectangular shape that is substantially the same as the shape of each support plate 33. That is, in the case of the first embodiment, each shock absorber 25 is formed in a substantially square frustum shape so as to narrow the cross-sectional area from the rear surface side to the front surface side.

  Engaging members 27 and 28 that engage with each other are disposed on the front surface 25 a of each shock absorber 25 and the rear surface 33 a of the support plate 33. In the case of the first embodiment, the engaging members 27 and 28 are hook-and-loop fasteners that are engaged with each other, and are separated from each other in a state before the knee protection device S1 is activated. The knee protection panel 21 is held so that the support plate 33 is engaged with each other by the rearward movement of the support plate 33 accompanying the rearward movement of 32 and is not shifted up and down or left and right with respect to the support plate 33. It should be noted that the knee protection panel 21 detaches each locking leg 23 from the locking hole 15 as the drive rod 32 further moves rearward, and holds the knee K of the occupant M with the support plate 33 held. It will be arranged on the front side.

  The control device 17 is electrically connected to a plurality of sensors 18 arranged in a bumper or the like. The sensor 18 can detect an object approaching the vehicle from the front, and can be exemplified by a type using infrared rays or ultrasonic waves, or a type using a CCD camera. The control device 17 inputs signals from the sensors 18 in consideration of the vehicle speed and the like, and operates each actuator 31 of the drive mechanism 30 at the time of collision detection that can predict a collision with an approaching object. Become.

  That is, in this knee protection device S1, if the control device 17 detects a collision detection by a signal from the sensor 18, each actuator 31 of the drive mechanism 30 is actuated by the control device 17, and each drive rod 32 moves backward. Accordingly, the support plate 33 connected to the rear end of each drive rod 32 moves to the vehicle rear side. 4A and 4B, the engagement members 27 and 28 are engaged with each other, and the support plate 33 supports the front surface 25a side of the shock absorber 25, and the knee protection panel 21 is moved. It is arranged on the front side of the knee K of the occupant M.

  As a result, the knee K that moves forward in the event of a vehicle collision interferes with the knee protection panel 21 and plastically deforms the shock absorber 25 supported on the support plate 33 on the front side of the panel body 22 in the knee protection panel 21. Since it is restrained by the knee protection panel 21 in a state where the kinetic energy is reduced, it is effectively protected.

  Furthermore, in the knee protection device S <b> 1 of the first embodiment, the shock absorber 25 is disposed not to cover the entire area of the panel body 22 in the knee protection panel 21 but to make the projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than the panel body 22. However, the cross-sectional area in the vertical direction from the panel main body 22 side to the support plate 33 side is gradually reduced so that the support plate 33 has substantially the same shape as the shape on the front surface 25a side of the shock absorber 25. Since the shock absorber 25 is supported, the support plate 33 having rigidity for supporting the shock absorber 25 can be miniaturized as much as possible.

  The shock absorber 25 itself has a larger area on the panel body 22 side than the area on the support plate 33 side, as shown in FIG. 5, near the outer periphery of the panel body 22, for example, on the lower edge 22d side. In addition, even if the knee K interferes, plastic deformation is likely to occur in a wide area on the lower edge 25b side of the shock absorber 25. Therefore, even if the support plate 33 is downsized and the interference position of the knee K with respect to the panel body 22 changes to the outer peripheral edge side of the panel body 22 away from the shock absorber 25, the shock absorber 25 It becomes possible to absorb the kinetic energy of the knee K as much as possible by plastically deforming the deformation region in a wide state. As a result, the knee K moving forward is absorbed and restrained by the knee protection panel 21 and is effectively protected.

  Therefore, in the knee protection device S1 of the first embodiment, the support plate 33 having rigidity for supporting the shock absorber 25 can be made compact by securing a wide plastic deformation region of the shock absorber 25, so that the weight and volume can be reduced. The knee K can be effectively protected by absorbing the kinetic energy of the knee K at the time of the vehicle collision.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the knee protection device S <b> 2 of the second embodiment includes a knee protection panel 41 and a drive mechanism 30. The drive mechanism 30 of the knee protection device S2 is the same as the drive mechanism 30 of the first embodiment. Based on the collision detection signal of the sensor 18, the control device 17 operates the actuator 31 to drive the drive rod. 32 and the support plate 33 provided at the rear end of the drive rod 32 are moved backward. The actuator 31 is disposed on the front side of the regions 42a and 42b on the left and right sides of the column cover 9 in the panel body 42, respectively.

  The knee protection panel 41 includes a panel body 42 and a shock absorber 45 disposed on the front side of the panel body 42. The panel body 42 is similar to the panel body 22 of the first embodiment. A substantially rectangular plate-shaped synthetic resin is provided in the opening 13 of the instrument panel 12 as an interior material, and is provided with locking legs 43 that can be inserted and locked in the locking holes 15 at the four corners. Yes.

  The shock absorbing material 45 is fixed to the front side near the approximate center in the left and right regions 42a and 42b of the panel main body 42 as a substantially square plate shape. As with the shock absorber 25 of the first embodiment, each shock absorber 45 is made of an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, or a metal such as a sheet metal. It is provided or provided with a foam layer so that it can be plastically deformed so as to reduce the thickness in the front-rear direction, and is configured to absorb kinetic energy during the plastic deformation.

  Each of the shock absorbers 45 has a projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than the left and right regions 42a and 42b of the panel main body 42, and the front surface 45a of each shock absorber 45 is supported by each support plate. The shape is substantially the same as the shape of 33.

  Further, a plurality of engaging members 47 that can lock the outer peripheral edge of the support plate 33 that moves rearward are protruded from the panel body 42 at the peripheral edge of each shock absorbing material 45. In the state before the operation of the knee protection device S2, the front surface 45a of the shock absorber 45 and the rear surface 33a of the support plate 33 are separated from each other. However, when the device S2 is operated, the drive rod 32 moves backward. If the front surface 45a of the shock absorbing material 45 comes into contact with the rear surface 33a of the support plate 33 due to the rearward movement of the support plate 33, each engaging member 47 engages with the outer peripheral edge of the support plate 33. On the other hand, the knee protection panel 45 is held so as not to be displaced vertically and horizontally.

  Further, in the knee protection device S2 of the second embodiment, the forward movement of the peripheral edge of the panel body 42 at the time of knee restraint is permitted, and the rearward side of the peripheral edge of the panel body 42 at the time of knee restraint is allowed. A connecting member 49 that connects the outer peripheral edge of the panel main body 42 and the vicinity of the support plate 33 at the time of knee restraint is disposed so that the rotational movement can be restricted. In the case of the embodiment, the connecting member 49 is made of a metal wire that has flexibility but is prevented from stretching, and connects the vicinity of the upper edge 42 c of the panel body 42 and the vicinity of the upper edge 33 b of the support plate 33. It is arranged to allow the forward movement on the upper edge 42c side of the panel body 42 when restraining the knee, and to restrict the backward movement on the upper edge 42c side of the panel body 42 when restraining the knee. It is arranged to do.

  The connecting member 49 of the embodiment is disposed so as to connect the engaging member 47 on the upper edge 33b side of the support plate 33 and the upper edge 42c side of the panel body 42. If the support plate 33 is previously connected to the front surface 45a of the shock absorber 45, the upper edge 33b of the support plate 33 and the upper edge 42c of the panel body 42 are connected. As such, they may be arranged.

  Also in the knee protection device S2 of the second embodiment, if the control device 17 detects a collision detection based on a signal from the sensor 18, the control device 17 activates each actuator 31 of the drive mechanism 30, and each drive rod. With the rearward movement of 32, the support plate 33 connected to the rear end of each drive rod 32 moves to the vehicle rear side. 8A and 8B, each engagement member 47 engages the outer peripheral edge of the support plate 33, and the support plate 33 supports the front surface 45a side of the shock absorber 45. The protective panel 41 is disposed on the front side of the knee K of the occupant M.

  As a result, the knee K that moves forward in the event of a vehicle collision interferes with the knee protection panel 41 and plastically deforms the shock absorber 45 supported on the support plate 33 on the front side of the panel body 42 in the knee protection panel 41. Since it is restrained by the knee protection panel 41 in a state where the kinetic energy is reduced, it is effectively protected.

  In the knee protection device S2 of the second embodiment as well, although the support plate 33 supports the shock absorber 45 in a shape substantially the same as the shape on the front surface 45a side of the shock absorber 45, the shock absorber. 45 is disposed not to cover the entire area of the panel main body 42 of the knee protection panel 41 but to make the projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than that of the panel main body 42, so as to support the shock absorber 45 as much as possible. The support plate 33 having rigidity can be reduced in size.

  Further, in the knee protection device S2 of the second embodiment, a connecting member 49 is provided that connects the upper edge 42c of the outer peripheral edge of the panel body 42 and the vicinity of the upper edge 33b of the support plate 33 when restraining the knee. In addition, since the rotational movement to the front side in the vicinity of the upper edge 42c of the panel body 42 at the time of knee restraint is allowed and the rotational movement to the rear side in the vicinity of the upper edge 42c can be restricted, as shown in FIG. Even if the knee K interferes with the vicinity of the lower edge 42d at the outer peripheral edge of the panel body 42 and tries to move the vicinity of the lower edge 42d to the front side, the connection material 49 causes the center of the panel body 42 to be centered. In the point-symmetric position of the interference area, that is, in the vicinity of the upper edge 42c of the panel body 42, the rotational movement to the rear side is restricted. Therefore, the portion near the lower edge 42d of the panel main body 42 where the knee K interferes has a rotational moment centered around the center of the panel main body 42 even if the shock absorber 45 is not directly arranged on the front side. Therefore, the movement of the knee K is restricted, and the vicinity of the lower edge 45b of the shock absorbing member 45 in the vicinity thereof is greatly plastically deformed to move forward. As a result, the kinetic energy of the knee K is accurately impacted. It will be absorbed by the absorbent material 45.

  Accordingly, even in the knee protection device S2 of the second embodiment, the plastic deformation region of the shock absorber 45 can be substantially secured, and the support plate 33 having rigidity for supporting the shock absorber 45 can be made compact. By suppressing the increase in weight and volume, the kinetic energy of the knee K at the time of the vehicle collision can be absorbed, and the knee K can be effectively protected.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the knee protection device S <b> 3 of the third embodiment includes a knee protection panel 51 and a drive mechanism 30. The drive mechanism 30 of the knee protection device S3 is the same as the drive mechanism 30 of the first and second embodiments, and the control device 17 operates the actuator 31 based on the collision detection signal of the sensor 18, The drive rod 32 and the support plate 33 provided at the rear end of the drive rod 32 are moved backward. The actuator 31 is disposed on the front side of the left and right regions 52a and 52b of the column cover 9 in the panel body 52, respectively.

  The knee protection panel 51 includes a panel main body 52 and a shock absorbing material 55 disposed on the front side of the panel main body 52. The shock absorbing material 55 has a substantially square plate shape, and is provided on the left and right sides of the panel main body 52. The regions 52a and 52b are respectively fixed to the front side near the approximate center. Each shock absorber 55 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer such as olefin, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, or a metal such as sheet metal, as in the case of the shock absorber 25 of the first embodiment. It is provided or provided with a foam layer so that it can be plastically deformed so as to reduce the thickness in the front-rear direction, and is configured to absorb kinetic energy during the plastic deformation.

  Each of the shock absorbers 55 has a projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than the left and right regions 52a and 52b of the panel body 52, and the front surface 55a of each shock absorber 55 is supported by each support plate. The shape is substantially the same as the shape of 33.

  Furthermore, engaging members 27 and 28 that are engaged with each other are disposed on the front surface 55a of each shock absorber 55 and the rear surface 33a of the support plate 33, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, when the device S3 is operated, the engagement members 27 and 28 are engaged with each other by the rearward movement of the support plate 33 accompanying the rearward movement of the drive rod 32, so that the support plate 33 is not shifted vertically and horizontally. Thus, the knee protection panel 51 is held.

  And the panel main body 52 is arrange | positioned by the opening 13 of the instrument panel 12 as an interior material as the substantially rectangular plate-shaped synthetic resin similarly to the panel main body 22 of 1st Embodiment, And the locking hole 15 is carried out. A locking leg 53 that can be inserted and locked is provided at the four corners. Further, the panel main body 52 is configured by ribs 54 projecting forward in a lattice shape so that the bending strength is higher than the compressive strength of the shock absorber 55.

  In the knee protection device S3 of the third embodiment, if the control device 17 detects a collision detection based on a signal from the sensor 18, each actuator 31 of the drive mechanism 30 is operated by the control device 17, and each drive rod is operated. With the rearward movement of 32, the support plate 33 connected to the rear end of each drive rod 32 moves to the vehicle rear side. Then, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, in the state where the engaging members 27 and 28 are engaged with each other and the support plate 33 supports the front surface 55a side of the shock absorber 55, the knee protection panel 51 is It is arranged on the front side of the knee K of the occupant M.

  As a result, the knee K that moves forward in the event of a vehicle collision interferes with the knee protection panel 51 and plastically deforms the shock absorbing material 55 that is supported by the support plate 33 on the front side of the panel body 52 in the knee protection panel 51. Since it is restrained by the knee protection panel 51 in a state where the kinetic energy is reduced, it is effectively protected.

  In the knee protection device S3 of the third embodiment as well, although the support plate 33 supports the shock absorbing material 55 in a shape substantially the same as the shape of the front surface 55a side of the shock absorbing material 55, it absorbs shock. In order to support the shock absorbing material 55 as much as possible, the material 55 is disposed not to cover the entire area of the panel body 52 in the knee protection panel 51 but to make the projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than that of the panel body 52. The support plate 33 having the rigidity of can be reduced in size.

In particular, in this knee protection device S3, the rib 54 sets the bending strength of the panel body 52 higher than the compressive strength of the shock absorber 55, so that the knee K moves forward with respect to the panel body 52. If the panel main body 52 projects the rib 54 even if the shock absorber 55 is not directly disposed on the front surface side of the interference portion 52c, the panel body 52 is subjected to partial bending deformation as much as possible. It restrains and moves forward, and plastically deforms the shock absorber 55 near the interference site 52c. As a result, the knee K absorbs its kinetic energy.

  Therefore, even in the knee protection device S3 of the third embodiment, the plastic deformation region of the shock absorber 55 can be substantially ensured, and the support plate 33 having rigidity for supporting the shock absorber 55 can be made compact. It is possible to effectively protect the knee K by suppressing an increase in weight and volume and absorbing the kinetic energy of the knee K at the time of a vehicle collision.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the knee protection device S4 of the fourth embodiment includes a knee protection panel 61 and a drive mechanism 30. The drive mechanism 30 of the knee protection device S4 is the same as that of each embodiment. Similar to the drive mechanism 30, the control device 17 operates the actuator 31 based on the collision detection signal of the sensor 18 to move the drive rod 32 and the support plate 33 provided at the rear end of the drive rod 32 backward. Will be allowed to. The actuator 31 is disposed on the front side of the left and right regions 52a and 52b of the column cover 9 in the panel body 62, respectively.

  The knee protection panel 61 includes a panel main body 62 and a shock absorbing material 65 disposed on the front side of the panel main body 62. The shock absorbing material 65 has a substantially square plate shape, and is provided on the left and right sides of the panel main body 62. These regions 62a and 62b are respectively fixed to the front side near the center. As with the shock absorber 25 of the first embodiment, each shock absorber 65 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer such as olefin, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, or a metal such as sheet metal, and a plurality of ribs are appropriately provided. It is provided or provided with a foam layer so that it can be plastically deformed so as to reduce the thickness in the front-rear direction, and is configured to absorb kinetic energy during the plastic deformation.

  Each of the shock absorbers 65 has a projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than the left and right regions 62a and 62b of the panel main body 62, and the front surface 65a of each shock absorber 65 is supported by each support plate. The shape is substantially the same as the shape of 33.

  Furthermore, engaging members 27 and 28 that are engaged with each other are disposed on the front surface 65a of each shock absorber 65 and the rear surface 33a of the support plate 33, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, when the device S4 is operated, the engagement members 27 and 28 are engaged with each other by the rearward movement of the support plate 33 accompanying the rearward movement of the drive rod 32, so that the support plate 33 is not shifted vertically and horizontally. As described above, the knee protection panel 61 is held.

  Similarly to the panel body 22 of the first embodiment, the panel body 62 is made of a substantially rectangular plate-shaped synthetic resin, and is disposed in the opening 13 of the instrument panel 12 as an interior material. Locking legs 63 that can be inserted and locked are provided at the four corners. Further, the panel main body 62 has a certain degree of bending strength, but is formed so as to be partially deformable when partially pressed.

  In the knee protection device S4 according to the fourth embodiment, the energy absorbing mechanism 60 includes the shock absorbing material 65 and the support plate 33 that supports the shock absorbing material 65 on the left and right sides of the front surface side of the panel main body 62. The second shock absorbing material 67 that connects the support plates 33 and 33 to each other is disposed between the support plates 33 of the mutual energy absorbing mechanism 60. The second shock absorber 67 is formed of a metal rod that is plastically deformed so as to stretch or bend, and restrains the knee K entering through the panel body 62 to plastically deform the kinetic energy of the knee K. Absorbable.

  In the knee protection device S4 of the fourth embodiment, if the control device 17 detects a collision detection based on a signal from the sensor 18, the control device 17 activates each actuator 31 of the drive mechanism 30, and each drive rod. With the rearward movement of 32, the support plate 33 connected to the rear end of each drive rod 32 moves to the vehicle rear side. Then, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 14, with the engagement members 27 and 28 engaged with each other and the support plate 33 supporting the front surface 65 a side of the shock absorber 65, the knee protection panel 61 is moved. It is arranged on the front side of the knee K of the occupant M.

  As a result, the knee K that moves forward in the event of a vehicle collision interferes with the knee protection panel 61 and plastically deforms the shock absorbing material 65 that is supported by the support plate 33 on the front side of the panel body 62 in the knee protection panel 61. Since it is restrained by the knee protection panel 61 in a state where the kinetic energy is reduced, it is effectively protected.

  In the knee protection device S4 of the fourth embodiment as well, although the support plate 33 supports the shock absorbing material 65 as having substantially the same shape as the shape of the shock absorbing material 65 on the front surface 65a side, the shock absorbing material 65 is disposed not to cover the entire area of the panel main body 62 in the knee protection panel 61 but to have a projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than that of the panel main body 62, so that the shock absorber 65 is supported as much as possible. The support plate 33 having rigidity can be reduced in size.

  In particular, in the fourth embodiment, the first and second support plates 33 of the two energy absorbing mechanisms 60 each including the shock absorber 65 and the support plate 33 that supports the shock absorber 65 are connected to each other. As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the shock absorber 67 is disposed, and the knee K moving forward interferes with the portion 62c where the support plate is not disposed on the front side of the panel body 62. Even so, the knee K can be protected precisely by absorbing the kinetic energy by plastically deforming the second shock absorber 67 with the panel body 62 interposed.

  Therefore, even in the knee protection device S4 of the fourth embodiment, even if each support plate 33 is made compact, the second shock absorbing material 67 disposed between the support plates 33 and 33 causes the support plates 33 and 33 to be interposed between the support plates 33 and 33. Since the kinetic energy of the invading knee K can be absorbed, the support plate 33 having rigidity for supporting the shock absorber 65 can be made compact, and an increase in weight and volume can be suppressed, and the knee K at the time of a vehicle collision can be reduced. Absorbing kinetic energy, the knee K can be effectively protected.

  It should be noted that the second shock absorber 67 in the knee protection device S4 of the fourth embodiment is merely disposed so as to connect the separated support plates 33 and 33 to each other. It does not hinder the effect of preventing the increase in weight and volume of the knee protection device S4 associated with downsizing.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the knee protection device S <b> 5 of the fifth embodiment includes a knee protection panel 71 and a drive mechanism 80 that moves the knee protection panel 71.

  The knee protection panel 71 includes a panel main body 72 and an impact absorbing material 75 disposed on the front side of the panel main body 72. Like the panel body 22 of the first embodiment, the panel body 72 is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or ABS resin having a substantially rectangular plate shape, and is disposed in the opening 13 of the instrument panel 12 as an interior material. , And a locking leg 73 that can be inserted and locked in the locking hole 15 is provided at four corners.

  The shock absorbing material 75 is fixed to the front sides of the left and right regions 72a and 72b of the column cover 9 in the panel main body 72, respectively, and, like each embodiment, a synthetic resin such as an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer or polypropylene. It is made of metal or metal such as sheet metal, and a plurality of ribs are provided as appropriate, or a foam layer is provided so that plastic deformation is possible so as to reduce the thickness in the front-rear direction. It is configured to absorb. Each of the shock absorbers 75 is formed in a square plate shape so that the projected area in the front-rear direction is smaller than the left and right regions 72a and 72b of the panel body 72, and the front surface 75a is formed on each support plate 83. It has a substantially rectangular shape that is substantially the same as the shape.

  In addition, second shock absorbers 77 and 78 are disposed around the shock absorbers 75 on the front side of the panel main body 72 so as to be separated from the shock absorbers 75, respectively. These second shock absorbers 77 and 78 are made of the same material as the shock absorber 75, and are plastically deformed so as to reduce the thickness in the front-rear direction so that kinetic energy can be absorbed.

  The drive mechanism 80 includes an actuator 81 as a drive source capable of moving a drive rod 82 protruding rearward to the rear side. The actuator 81 is configured by a hydraulic cylinder, an electromagnetic solenoid, an electric motor, and the like, as in the embodiments, and the operation is controlled by the control device 17. The actuator 81 is held on the side of the body side member 1 such as the instrument panel reinforcement 2 having the rigidity of the vehicle with the brackets 3 and 4 interposed therebetween.

  In the knee protection device S5 of the fifth embodiment, two actuators 81 of the drive mechanism 80 are used and arranged on the left and right sides of the column cover 9, respectively.

  The drive rod 82 of each actuator 81 is connected to the rear end of a support plate 83 made of a substantially rectangular steel plate having rigidity arranged in a substantially vertical direction, as in the first embodiment. . Each support plate 83 is disposed in each of the left and right regions 72a and 72b of the column cover 9 in the panel main body 72 of the knee protection panel 71 as viewed from the vehicle rear side, and is an abbreviation of these regions 72a and 72b. It is arranged at the center front side of the vehicle.

  In the fifth embodiment as well, the engaging members 27 and 28 that are engaged with each other are disposed on the rear surface 83a of each support plate 83 and the front surface 75a of the shock absorber 75, as in the first embodiment. Has been. Therefore, when the device S5 is operated, the engagement members 27 and 28 are engaged with each other by the rearward movement of the support plate 83 accompanying the rearward movement of the drive rod 82, so that the support plate 83 is moved vertically and horizontally. The knee protection panel 71 is held so as not to shift.

  Further, in the fifth embodiment, around each drive rod 82, as shown in FIGS. 18, 20, and 21, when the drive rod 82 is pushed backward, the second shock absorber is extended. Support members 85 and 86 capable of supporting the front surfaces of 77 and 78 are disposed. These support members 85 and 86 are supported by the rod 82 so that the front ends 85a and 86a can be swung around the drive rods 82, and the rear ends 85b and 86b are driven by the compression springs 89. It is energized in the direction away from.

  These support members 85 and 86 are covered so as to be pressed by a cover 88 disposed around the drive rod 82 in a state before the actuator 81 is operated, and are disposed integrally with the drive rod 82. When the drive rod 82 is extended backward, if the drive rod 82 is separated from the cover 88, the drive rod 82 is pushed by the spring 89 and swings so that the rear ends 85b and 86b are separated from the drive rod 82. The rear ends 85b and 86b of the support members 85 and 86 support the front surfaces 77a and 78a of the second shock absorbers 77 and 78 disposed around the shock absorber 75 on the front surface side of the panel main body 72. It will be.

  That is, in the knee protection device S5 of the fifth embodiment, if the control device 17 detects a collision detection by a signal from the sensor 18, each actuator 81 of the drive mechanism 80 is operated by the control device 17, and each of the actuators 81 is operated. As the drive rod 82 moves rearward, the support plate 83 connected to the rear end of each drive rod 82 moves toward the vehicle rear side. Then, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 18 and A and B in FIG. 20, the engagement members 27 and 28 are engaged with each other, and the support plate 83 supports the front surface 75 a side of the shock absorber 75. Thus, the knee protection panel 71 is disposed on the front side of the knee K of the occupant M.

  As a result, the knee K that moves forward in the event of a vehicle collision interferes with the knee protection panel 71 and plastically deforms the shock absorber 75 supported on the support plate 83 on the front side of the panel body 72 in the knee protection panel 71. Since it is restrained by the knee protection panel 71 in a state where the kinetic energy is reduced, it is effectively protected.

  In the knee protection device S5 of the fifth embodiment as well, although the support plate 83 supports the shock absorbing material 75 in a shape substantially the same as the shape on the front surface 75a side of the shock absorbing material 75, the shock absorbing material. 75 is arranged not to cover the entire area of the panel main body 72 of the knee protection panel 71 but to make the projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than that of the panel main body 72, so as to support the shock absorber 75 as much as possible. The support plate 83 having rigidity can be reduced in size.

  In particular, in the fifth embodiment, on the front surface side of the panel main body 72, second shock absorbers 77 and 78 that are plastically deformed and can absorb kinetic energy away from the shock absorber 75 are disposed. At the same time, the support members 85 and 86 capable of supporting the front surfaces 77a and 78a of the second shock absorbers 77 and 78 are fed out from the drive rod 82 of the drive mechanism 80 when the support plate 83 is moved backward in the drive mechanism 80. It is arranged so that. Therefore, even if the knee K moving forward interferes with the arrangement region of the second shock absorbers 77 and 78 away from the region of the support plate 83 that supports the shock absorber 75, the second shock absorber 77. 78 is supported by the extended support members 85 and 86, and is plastically deformed to absorb the kinetic energy of the knee K accurately.

  Therefore, in the knee protection device S5 of the fifth embodiment, even if the support plate 83 is made compact, the second shock absorbers 77 and 78 away from the support plate 83 enter the region 72c away from the support plate 83. Since the kinetic energy of the knee K can be absorbed, the support plate 83 having rigidity for supporting the shock absorbing material 75 can be made compact, and the kinetic energy of the knee K at the time of a vehicle collision can be suppressed while suppressing an increase in weight and volume. Can be absorbed and the knee K can be effectively protected.

  The second shock absorbers 77 and 78 and the support members 85 and 86 that support the second shock absorbers 77 and 78 are separated from the support plate 83 without being arranged to be connected to the support plate 83, and Even if it is arranged as a small occupied area, the panel main body 72 has a certain degree of rigidity, so that it can absorb the kinetic energy of the knee K that interferes with the region 72c away from the support plate 83 without any trouble, and supports it. The materials 85 and 86 and the like do not hinder the effect of preventing the weight and volume of the knee protection device S5 associated with the compact support plate 83 from increasing.

  In the first, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments, the support plates 33 and 83 are disposed away from the shock absorbers 25, 55, 65, and 75 before the drive mechanisms 30 and 80 are operated. However, the engagement members 27 and 28 are eliminated, and the support plates 33 and 83 are connected in advance to the front surfaces 25a, 55a, 65a, and 75a of the shock absorbers 25, 55, 65, and 75. Good.

  Furthermore, although the case where the knee protection devices S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 of each embodiment are disposed on the front side of the driver's seat is shown, the knee protection device of the present invention is mounted on the front of the passenger seat. May be.

It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the knee protection apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic front view seen from the vehicle back side of the knee protection device of 1st Embodiment. It is a partial expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the knee protection device of 1st Embodiment, and respond | corresponds to the III-III site | part of FIG. It is a figure which shows in order the action | operation time of the knee protection apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which the knee interfered with the lower edge side with respect to the knee protection panel in the knee protection device of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the knee protection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic front view seen from the vehicle back side of the knee protection device of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows in order the action | operation time of the knee protection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which the knee interfered with the lower edge side with respect to the knee protection panel in the knee protection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the knee protection apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is the schematic front view seen from the vehicle back side of the knee protection device of 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the knee protection device of the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows in order the action | operation time of the knee protection apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the knee protection apparatus of 4th Embodiment. It is the schematic front view seen from the vehicle back side of the knee protection device of 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the knee protection device of the fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows in order at the time of the action | operation of the knee protection apparatus of 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the knee protection apparatus of 5th Embodiment. It is the schematic front view seen from the vehicle back side of the knee protection device of 5th Embodiment. It is a schematic cross-sectional view which shows sequentially the time of the action | operation of the knee protection apparatus of 5th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the support material at the time of the completion | finish of feeding in the knee protection apparatus of 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

21, 41, 51, 61, 71 ... Knee protection panel,
22, 42, 52, 62, 72 ... Panel body,
25, 45, 55, 65, 75 ... shock absorbers,
30.80 ... drive mechanism,
31.81 (drive source) actuator,
32.82 ... drive rod,
33.83 ... support plate,
49. Connecting material,
67, 77, 78 ... second shock absorber,
86/87 ... support material,
M ... Crew,
K ... knees,
S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 ... Knee protectors.

Claims (5)

A knee protection device comprising a knee protection panel that is extended to the front side of an occupant's knee by a drive mechanism at the time of a vehicle collision and that restrains the knee moving forward to absorb the kinetic energy of the knee. ,
The knee protection panel is disposed over the entire rear surface side and interferes with the knee, and the shock absorber is disposed on the front side of the panel body and can be plastically deformed to absorb kinetic energy. Configured with
The drive mechanism supports the front side of the shock absorbing material when the knee is restrained, and moves the support plate together with the knee protection panel to the front side of the occupant's knee when the vehicle collides. A drive source, and
The impact absorbing material makes the projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than the panel body, and gradually reduces the vertical sectional area from the panel body side to the support plate side,
The knee protection device according to claim 1, wherein the support plate is configured to support the shock absorber in a shape substantially the same as the shape of the front side of the shock absorber. A knee protection device comprising a knee protection panel that is extended to the front side of an occupant's knee by a drive mechanism at the time of a vehicle collision and that restrains the knee moving forward to absorb the kinetic energy of the knee. ,
The knee protection panel is disposed over the entire rear surface side and interferes with the knee, and the shock absorber is disposed on the front side of the panel body and can be plastically deformed to absorb kinetic energy. Configured with
The drive mechanism supports the front side of the shock absorbing material when the knee is restrained, and moves the support plate together with the knee protection panel to the front side of the occupant's knee when the vehicle collides. A drive source, and
The shock absorber has a projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than that of the panel body, and the support plate supports the shock absorber in a shape substantially the same as the shape of the front surface side of the shock absorber. Composed of
The flexible connecting material allows rotational movement to the front side near the upper edge of the panel body when the knee is restrained, and rotational movement to the rear side near the upper edge of the panel body when the knee is restrained. The knee protection device is characterized in that the upper edge of the outer peripheral edge of the panel main body and the vicinity of the upper edge of the support plate at the time of knee restraint are connected to each other so as to be able to be regulated. A knee protection device comprising a knee protection panel that is extended to the front side of an occupant's knee by a drive mechanism at the time of a vehicle collision and that restrains the knee moving forward to absorb the kinetic energy of the knee. ,
The knee protection panel is disposed over the entire rear surface side and interferes with the knee, and the shock absorber is disposed on the front side of the panel body and can be plastically deformed to absorb kinetic energy. Configured with
The drive mechanism supports the front side of the shock absorbing material when the knee is restrained, and moves the support plate together with the knee protection panel to the front side of the occupant's knee when the vehicle collides. A drive source, and
The shock absorber has a projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than that of the panel body, and the support plate supports the shock absorber in a shape substantially the same as the shape of the front surface side of the shock absorber. Composed of
The panel body is configured by protruding ribs on the front side at positions where the shock absorbing material is not disposed on the front side so that the bending strength is higher than the compressive strength of the shock absorbing material. knee protection device characterized by there. A knee protection device comprising a knee protection panel that is extended to the front side of an occupant's knee by a drive mechanism at the time of a vehicle collision and that restrains the knee moving forward to absorb the kinetic energy of the knee. ,
The knee protection panel is disposed over the entire rear surface side and interferes with the knee, and the shock absorber is disposed on the front side of the panel body and can be plastically deformed to absorb kinetic energy. Configured with
The drive mechanism supports the front side of the shock absorbing material when the knee is restrained, and moves the support plate together with the knee protection panel to the front side of the occupant's knee when the vehicle collides. A drive source, and
The shock absorber has a projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than that of the panel body, and the support plate supports the shock absorber in a shape substantially the same as the shape of the front surface side of the shock absorber. Composed of
A plurality of sets of the shock absorber and the support plate for supporting the shock absorber are disposed on the front side of the panel body,
Knees that are disposed so as to connect the support plates that are separated from each other and that penetrate the portions between the support plates where the support plates are not disposed on the front side of the panel body . A knee protection device, characterized in that a second shock absorbing material capable of being restrained and plastically deforming and absorbing the kinetic energy of the knee is disposed. A knee protection device comprising a knee protection panel that is extended to the front side of an occupant's knee by a drive mechanism at the time of a vehicle collision and that restrains the knee moving forward to absorb the kinetic energy of the knee. ,
The knee protection panel is disposed over the entire rear surface side and interferes with the knee, and the shock absorber is disposed on the front side of the panel body and can be plastically deformed to absorb kinetic energy. Configured with
The drive mechanism supports the front side of the shock absorbing material when the knee is restrained, and moves the support plate together with the knee protection panel to the front side of the occupant's knee when the vehicle collides. A drive source, and
The shock absorber has a projected area in the front-rear direction smaller than that of the panel body, and the support plate supports the shock absorber in a shape substantially the same as the shape of the front surface side of the shock absorber. Composed of
A second shock absorbing material that is plastically deformed and can absorb kinetic energy is disposed on the front side of the panel body, and supports the front side of the second shock absorbing material. The knee protection device is configured such that a possible support member is arranged so as to be drawn out from the drive mechanism when the support plate of the drive mechanism is moved backward.

Images