JP4529930B2 - Air bag device for knee protection - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a knee protection airbag device in which an airbag that is deployed and inflated by flowing an inflation gas can protect a driver's knee.

Conventionally, as a device for protecting the driver's knee, there is a device that is provided near the column cover under the steering wheel so as to protrude so as to press the driver's knee during operation, or when driving during operation. Some airbags that deploy and inflate the person's knees in a protective manner are provided (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).
JP-A-6-32195 European Patent Application No. 0684167 European Patent Application No. 0818360

  However, in the conventional device for protecting the knee, the pad and the airbag are protruded in a narrow space between the column cover and the driver's knee. In particular, during operation, the driver often depresses the brake pedal. In such a case, the space between the column cover and the driver's knee was further narrowed.

  For this reason, the conventional apparatus has room for improvement in terms of accurately protecting the driver's knee.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a knee protection airbag device that can accurately protect a knee even if a space between a column cover and a driver's knee is narrow. .

  The knee protection airbag device according to the present invention is a knee protection airbag device in which an airbag that is deployed and inflated by inflowing an inflation gas can protect a driver's knee. The airbag has a substantially plate shape that can cover at least the lower surface side of the column cover that covers the steering column when the deployment is completed. Further, the airbag is folded and stored below the steering column so that the airbag can be deployed and inflated while being raised along the lower surface side of the column cover during deployment and inflation.

  In the knee protection airbag device according to the present invention, the airbag that is deployed and inflated is deployed and inflated while rising from the lower side of the steering column along the lower surface of the column cover during the inflation process. And the inflation completion shape of the airbag is a substantially plate shape that can cover at least the lower surface side of the column cover. Therefore, even if the driver's knee is approaching the column cover, such as when the driver steps on the brake pedal, the airbag that deploys and inflates smoothly between the driver's knee and the lower surface of the column cover. enter in. The airbag that has been deployed and inflated can accurately protect the knee so that the driver's knee does not interfere with the column cover.

  Therefore, in the knee protecting airbag device according to the present invention, even if the space between the column cover and the driver's knee is narrow, the knee can be accurately protected by the airbag.

  Note that the aspect of rising along the lower surface of the column cover of the airbag does not have to be performed from the initial stage of deployment and inflation of the airbag. That is, the airbag only needs to rise along the lower surface of the column cover when approaching the driver's knee side during the deployment and inflation process.

  The airbag can be stored inside the lower portion of the column cover, or can be stored in a lower panel of an instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as an instrument panel) below the column cover. When the airbag is stored in the lower panel of the instrument panel, since the airbag is stored at a position different from that of the column cover, the airbag is smoothly moved along the lower surface of the column cover when the airbag is deployed and inflated. Can be raised.

  In addition, the airbag is preferably configured by disposing connecting means for partially connecting the peripheral walls facing each other in the thickness direction so as to maintain the substantially plate shape of the inflation completed shape. In such a configuration, the airbag in an inflated state can easily maintain a substantially plate shape by the connecting means. Therefore, with such a configuration, the airbag that is deployed and inflated can be easily disposed between the lower surface of the column cover in a narrow space and the knee of the driver.

  Further, the airbag has an inflatable completed shape along the lower surface side of the column cover so that the longitudinal dimension of the upper peripheral wall facing in the thickness direction is the same as that of the lower peripheral wall facing in the thickness direction. It is desirable to set it shorter than the length dimension in the front-rear direction. In such a configuration, the airbag that is inflated and inflated is configured such that the upper end side thereof is bent upward, so that the airbag can easily follow the lower surface side of the column cover. As a result, with such a configuration, the airbag can be made to enter more smoothly between the lower surface of the column cover in a narrow space and the driver's knee.

  Furthermore, the airbag may be formed by combining a plurality of airbag materials cut in a three-dimensional manner corresponding to the inflated shape. In such a configuration, since the airbag can be formed three-dimensionally, the airbag at the time of completion of deployment can be accurately adhered to the lower surface side of the column cover.

  Moreover, it is desirable to store the folded airbag in a case having an opening on the vehicle rear side. In this case, the airbag that inflates by inflating the inflation gas can be protruded from the case opening that opens to the vehicle rear side. Therefore, the airbag can be deployed and inflated while stabilizing the protruding direction and smoothly rising along the lower surface of the column cover.

  A guide plate portion may be disposed on the periphery of the opening of the case for storing the airbag. The guide plate portion guides the airbag when deployed and inflated along the lower surface of the column cover. In such a configuration, the airbag is deployed and inflated more accurately along the lower surface of the column cover by the guidance of the guide plate portion.

  Moreover, it is desirable to arrange the case for storing the airbag so that the axial direction is substantially parallel to the axial direction of the steering column. In this case, the case can stabilize the protruding direction of the airbag as the direction along the axial direction of the steering column. As a result, the airbag when deployed and inflated further protrudes along the lower surface of the column cover.

  Further, when the airbag is stored in the case, an airbag assembly may be formed. The airbag assembly is formed by housing a folded airbag and an inflator that supplies inflation gas to the airbag in a case. The airbag assembly may be fixed to the steering column when mounted on the vehicle, or fixed to the body side of the vehicle located on both sides of the steering column in the left-right direction. In such a configuration, the airbag device can be assembled in advance as an assembly. Therefore, with such a configuration, the assembly work of the airbag device to the vehicle is facilitated. Moreover, in such a structure, since each member can be integrated, handling of each member until vehicle mounting becomes easy.

  When the airbag assembly is connected to the left and right body sides of the steering column, the airbag assembly can be easily assembled to the vehicle without interfering with the steering column.

  Further, when the airbag is covered with the airbag cover on the rear side of the vehicle and stored in the case, the airbag cover is provided with a door portion that is pushed by the inflating airbag and opens. And it is desirable to comprise the door part by arranging the hinge part at the time of opening at the lower end side of the door part so as to be opened downward.

  In such a configuration, the door portion of the airbag cover is opened downward and is opened from the upper end side when being pushed and opened by the airbag that is deployed and inflated. Therefore, the airbag which expand | deploys and inflates protrudes from the upper part side of the opening area which a door part opens at the time of opening of a door part. In other words, the airbag that is inflated and inflated easily protrudes upward. As a result, the airbag is smoothly deployed and inflated while rising along the lower side of the column cover. Further, since the folded airbag is covered with the airbag cover and mounted on the vehicle, the appearance design of the airbag device can be improved.

  The airbag cover may be formed integrally with the lower panel of the instrument panel below the column cover, or may be formed integrally with the column cover at the lower part of the column cover. In these cases, since the airbag cover is integrally formed with the lower panel and the column cover, even if the knee protection airbag device is mounted on a vehicle, the appearance near the column cover is not deteriorated.

  Moreover, it is desirable that the door portion of the airbag cover is configured to be openable by breaking a portion to be broken arranged at the periphery. In such a configuration, the door portion of the airbag cover can have the same appearance as the airbag cover main body portion (general portion) around the door portion. Therefore, the appearance design of the airbag cover is good.

  Furthermore, you may arrange | position the hinge part of a door part lower end so that it may be located in the vehicle forward side rather than the upper end of a door part. With such a door configuration, the following actions and effects can be obtained as compared with a comparative example with a simple configuration. The comparative example is a configuration in which the door portion is arranged along the vertical direction in a state in which an opening area of the airbag cover necessary for deploying and inflating the airbag can be secured. Moreover, the door part of a comparative example has arrange | positioned the hinge part to the lower end of a door part.

  In the door part of the said structure, the hinge part of the lower end side is arrange | positioned rather than the upper end of a door part at the vehicle forward side. Therefore, in said door part, the width dimension in the up-down direction along the door part of door part itself becomes large compared with the width dimension of the up-down direction of the door part in a comparative example. As a result, in the door portion described above, the opening angle of the door portion when opening the air bag cover opening area necessary for deploying and inflating the airbag can be reduced. That is, the door part arrange | positioned along the perpendicular direction in a comparative example is arrange | positioned in the position where the hinge part which is a rotation center of a door part becomes substantially the same in the vehicle front-back direction with the upper end of a door part. For this reason, in the comparative example, in order to secure an opening area of the airbag cover necessary for deploying and inflating the airbag, the door portion needs to be opened with a large opening angle along the substantially horizontal direction. However, the door portion has a configuration in which the hinge portion on the lower end side is arranged on the vehicle front side with respect to the upper end of the door portion. Therefore, in said door part, the width dimension (it becomes a turning radius at the time of opening of a door part) in the up-down direction along the door part of door part itself becomes large. As a result, in the door part, even if the opening angle of the door part is small, it is possible to secure an opening area of the airbag cover necessary for the deployment and inflation of the airbag. And since opening angle is small in said door part, compared with the door part of a comparative example, it becomes possible to make the protrusion width | variety to the vehicle rear side in the horizontal direction at the time of opening small. That is, compared with the comparative example which arrange | positions a door part along a perpendicular direction, in said structure, the upper end of a door part, ie, the edge part (rear end part) which becomes a driver | operator side when it opens, is horizontal. The protrusion width to the vehicle rear side in the direction can be reduced. In other words, in the door part having the above-described configuration, it is possible to suppress the protrusion of the horizontal direction toward the vehicle rear side when the door is opened.

  As a result, in the door portion having the above-described configuration, it is possible to smoothly expand and inflate the airbag while suppressing the amount of protrusion to the vehicle rear side when the airbag is opened and inflated.

  Furthermore, an angle regulating means for regulating the opening angle may be coupled to the door portion. The angle restricting means secures an opening angle of the door portion so as to allow the airbag to protrude from the case, and is coupled to the door portion so as to restrict opening beyond the opening angle. In such a configuration, when the door portion is pushed open by the airbag that is inflated and inflated, the door portion maintains an opening angle that secures an opening area necessary for inflating and inflating the airbag, and the angle restricting means opens the predetermined opening. Opening beyond the angle is regulated. Therefore, the position of the upper end of the door portion at the time of airbag deployment and expansion, that is, the end portion (rear end portion) that becomes the driver side when opened, is regulated, and the door portion moves to the vehicle rear side in the horizontal direction. Can be suppressed. As a result, with the above-described configuration, the amount of protrusion of the door portion that opens when the airbag is deployed and inflated to the vehicle rear side can be suppressed, and the airbag can be deployed and inflated smoothly.

  Further, the door portion is provided with a lower end side hinge portion on the lower end side, and at least one auxiliary hinge portion is provided between the lower end side hinge portion and the door portion upper end. And you may comprise a door part so that the site | part of the upper side in the arrangement | positioning position of an auxiliary hinge part may be opened downward. In such a configuration, when the door portion is opened downward by being pushed by the deployed and inflated airbag, the door portion is opened from the upper end side. And a door part can be bent and opened from the auxiliary | assistant hinge part arrange | positioned upwards. Therefore, compared with the door part which provided only the lower end side hinge part, in the door part of the said structure, the substantial rotation radius from a lower end side hinge part to a door part upper end can be shortened. Moreover, in the door part of the said structure, the protrusion to the vehicle rear side at the time of opening so that the opening area required for expansion | deployment expansion | deployment of an airbag can be ensured can be suppressed. As a result, in the door portion having the above-described configuration, the amount of protrusion of the door portion that opens when the airbag is deployed and inflated to the vehicle rear side can be suppressed, and the airbag can be smoothly deployed and inflated.

  Further, when the case for storing the folded airbag is covered with the airbag cover on the rear side of the vehicle, and the airbag cover includes a door portion that is pushed by the expanding airbag, the following is performed. You may comprise. That is, the door is provided with a hinge portion at the time of opening on one of the upper end side and the lower end side. Further, the lower end of the door is disposed above the lower edge of the case opening, and the width of the door in the vertical direction is smaller than the width of the case in the vertical direction. And the main-body part (general part) other than the door part in an airbag cover is comprised so that the lower part side in opening of a case may be covered. With such a configuration, the following actions and effects can be obtained.

  That is, in the said structure, the door part makes the width dimension of an up-down direction smaller than the width dimension of the up-down direction in opening of a case. Therefore, compared with a door portion whose vertical width dimension is substantially the same as the vertical width dimension of the case opening, the door portion having the above configuration can secure an opening area necessary for airbag inflation. The protrusion to the vehicle rear side when opened can be suppressed. Further, the airbag is accommodated so as to be deployed and inflated upward from the inside of the case disposed at the lower position of the steering column along the lower surface side of the column cover toward the rear side of the vehicle during deployment and inflation. . Therefore, even if the lower part side of the opening of the case is covered with the main body part of the airbag cover, the airbag that is deployed and inflated passes through the upper side of the opening of the case while suppressing interference with the main part of the airbag cover. As a result, in the above configuration, the amount of protrusion of the door portion that opens when the airbag is deployed and inflated to the vehicle rear side can be suppressed, and the airbag can be smoothly deployed and inflated.

  Furthermore, the airbag is configured by providing a column cover side wall portion disposed on the column cover side when deployment and inflation are completed and a driver side wall portion disposed on the driver side when deployment and inflation are completed. And it is desirable to fold an airbag by the roll fold which winds an upper end side to the column cover side wall part side. In such a configuration, when the airbag is deployed and inflated, the airbag is unfolded so as to unwind. At that time, the air bag approaches the column cover side as much as possible to eliminate the folding. Therefore, the airbag is expanded and inflated while suppressing the protrusion to the driver side and rising more smoothly along the lower surface of the column cover.

  Furthermore, when the airbag is folded in a roll, it is desirable to fold it through a vertical folding process. This vertical folding process is a process in which the airbag is folded in the vertical direction so that both left and right edges are close to the center side in a state where the airbag is flatly deployed, and folded in the lateral width dimension that can be stored in the case. In such a configuration, when the airbag is deployed and inflated, the lower surface of the column cover can be covered with an area wider than the width dimension in the left-right direction of the case.

  In the longitudinal folding step, it is desirable to fold the left and right end portions of the airbag toward the column cover side wall portion. The airbag in this case includes a central portion in the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction and end portions positioned on the left and right of the central portion. In such a configuration, when the inflation gas is introduced into the airbag and the longitudinal folding is eliminated, first, the central portion of the driver side wall portion protrudes toward the driver side, and the left and right continuous with the central portion. The end of this will protrude to the driver side. At that time, the left and right end portions of the airbag are arranged on the side of the column cover side wall when vertically folded. Therefore, the left and right end portions of the airbag are prevented from protruding to the driver side as much as possible, and the folding is eliminated. In other words, the left and right end portions of the airbag face the column cover side and are expanded widely in the left-right direction, and the folding is eliminated. As a result, the airbag is deployed and inflated so as to increase the width in the left-right direction while suppressing the protrusion to the driver side, and the driver's knee can be protected accurately.

  In addition, the airbag may be configured with the lower side as an upstream side portion of the inflation gas and the upper side as a downstream side portion of the inflation gas. And in such an airbag, it is desirable that the inflation gas is configured to flow toward the left and right sides at the upstream portion and then to the upper portion of the airbag as the downstream portion. In such a configuration, the inflation gas flows toward both sides in the left-right direction when flowing in the upstream portion of the airbag. Therefore, the airbag is expanded and inflated so as to widen the width in the left-right direction while suppressing the protrusion to the driver side, and then the inflation of the downstream portion on the upper side is completed. As a result, the airbag is deployed and inflated to suppress the protrusion to the driver side and widen in the width direction in the left-right direction, so that both the driver's knees can be accurately protected even with a single airbag. It becomes possible.

  The airbag in this case includes a column cover side wall portion on the column cover side and a driver side wall portion on the driver side, and further includes a column cover side wall portion and a driver side wall portion in the airbag. You may arrange | position the gas flow control material to connect. The gas flow restricting material is disposed along the left-right direction in the airbag so as to form gas flow holes between the left and right ends of the restricting material and the left and right sides of the airbag, respectively. And this gas flow control material partitions an upstream site | part and a downstream site | part. That is, the gas flow regulating material causes the inflation gas to flow toward the both sides in the left-right direction at the upstream portion, and then flows to the upper side of the airbag as the downstream portion through the gas flow hole. . Therefore, in such a configuration, the flow of the inflation gas can be reliably regulated by the gas flow regulating material disposed in the airbag. As a result, in such a configuration, the airbag is restrained from protruding to the driver side, and is expanded and inflated so as to stably widen the width dimension in the left-right direction. And if a gas flow control material is formed with the cloth material which has flexibility, it can be folded with an airbag, without being bulky at the time of accommodation of an airbag. Further, the gas flow regulating member connects the column cover side wall portion and the driver side wall portion. Therefore, the gas flow regulating member can regulate the thickness of the airbag to be constant at the completion of the inflation of the airbag, and can further suppress the protrusion to the driver side.

  Furthermore, it is desirable that the airbag provided with the gas flow regulating member is provided with a thickness regulating means for regulating the thickness of the airbag in the downstream portion. In such a configuration, the downstream side portion of the airbag in the inflated state can easily maintain a substantially plate shape by the thickness regulating means. Therefore, the airbag having such a configuration can be easily disposed between the lower surface of the column cover in a narrow space and the driver's knee.

  Furthermore, in the airbag in which the gas flow restricting material is disposed, the gas flow restricting material is located in the airbag at a position where the gas flow restricting member is separated from the airbag storing part when deployed and in the vicinity of the storing part. It is desirable to arrange in the position. In such a configuration, the airbag can be quickly deployed in the left-right direction by the gas flow regulating member when the airbag protrudes from the airbag housing part during deployment and rises along the lower surface of the column cover. Therefore, the gas flow regulating material can further suppress the airbag from protruding to the driver side.

  Further, in the airbag provided with the gas flow regulating member, when the thickness regulating means for connecting the column cover side wall portion and the driver side wall portion is arranged, the driver side wall in the thickness regulating means is provided. It is desirable that the connecting portion with the portion is disposed on the upstream side of the inflation gas with respect to the portion of the airbag that interferes with the driver's knee. In such a configuration, when the inflation and inflation are completed, the part of the airbag that interferes with the driver's knee can be made thicker than the part where the thickness regulating means is disposed. Therefore, the airbag that has been deployed and inflated can effectively protect the driver's knee by the thickened portion.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. Any change within the requirements of the claims, or equivalents thereof, is intended to be embraced within the scope of the claims.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the knee protection airbag apparatus M1 of the first embodiment is disposed below the column cover 9 on the lower surface 9a side of the column cover 9, and includes an airbag 26, an inflator 21, and The case 19 is provided. The airbag 26 is folded and stored below the steering column 3. The inflator 21 supplies inflation gas to the airbag 26. The case 19 houses the airbag 26 and the inflator 21.

  The column cover 9 is made of a synthetic resin having a substantially rectangular tube shape and covers the steering column 3 below the steering wheel 1. The column cover 9 is disposed along the axial direction of the steering column 3. That is, the column cover 9 is disposed so as to be inclined rearward so that the front side of the vehicle is disposed below and the rear side of the vehicle is disposed upward. Furthermore, the lower surface 9a of the column cover 9 has a substantially rectangular shape, and is formed in a curved shape that rises rearward in the vehicle front-rear direction.

  The steering column 3 is provided with a key cylinder 7 a for locking the steering of the steering wheel 1, a tilt mechanism operation unit (operation lever) 7 c, and a telescopic mechanism operation unit (operation lever) 7 d as accessory parts 7. Yes. These parts 7 a, 7 c, and 7 d are disposed so as to be exposed or protrude from the column cover 9. The key cylinder 7a is disposed on the right side surface of the column cover 9, and the column cover 9 is provided with a cover portion 9c having a substantially half truncated cone shape so as to cover the portion. Further, the tilt mechanism operation lever 7c is disposed on the left side surface of the column cover 9, and the telescopic mechanism operation lever 7d is disposed so as to protrude from the insertion hole 9b on the left edge side of the column cover lower surface 9a.

  The steering column 3 includes a main shaft 4 connected to the steering wheel 1 and a column tube 5 that covers the periphery of the main shaft 4. Between the main shaft 4 and the column tube 5, a tilt mechanism, a telescopic mechanism, and the like (not shown) are disposed. The tilt mechanism adjusts the angle of the ring surface P of the steering wheel 1. Further, the telescopic mechanism moves the steering wheel 1 in the axial direction of the shaft 4 and stops it.

  The case 19 is made of sheet metal, and includes a substantially rectangular tubular peripheral wall portion 19a and a substantially rectangular bottom wall portion 19b that closes the bottom of the peripheral wall portion 19a. The case 19 is connected and fixed to a portion of the steering column 3 where the column tube 5 does not move using the bracket 6. In the case 19, an opening 19c surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 19a is disposed on the vehicle rear side. The case 19 is arranged with the axial direction of the peripheral wall portion 19a along the column cover lower surface 9a (along the axial direction of the steering column 3). This arrangement mode is for allowing the stored airbag 26 to easily protrude along the lower surface 9 a of the column cover 9 when protruding from the case 19.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the inflator 21 includes a main body 22 and two bracket portions 23. The main body 22 is a cylinder type configured such that an expansion signal can be discharged by inputting an electric signal. The main body 22 includes a gas discharge port 22a (see FIG. 6) for discharging an expansion gas. In the case of the embodiment, the inflator 21 is operated by inputting an electric signal from a predetermined control device. When the inflator 21 is operated, an air bag device (not shown) mounted on the steering wheel 1 also operates simultaneously with the inflator 21 by inputting an electric signal from a predetermined control device. The bracket part 23 includes a holding ring 23a and a bolt 23b. The holding ring 23a is made of sheet metal and is plastically deformed to reduce the diameter so that the main body 22 can be clamped. The bolt 23b protrudes from the holding ring 23a. The inflator 21 is assembled in an airbag 26 with the bracket portion 23 assembled to the main body 22. Then, the inflator 21 causes the bolt 23 b protruding from the airbag 26 to pass through the case 19 and is fastened to the bracket 6 using the nut 24. As a result, the inflator 21 is attached and fixed to the bracket 6 together with the airbag 26 and the case 19.

  The airbag 26 folded and stored in the case 19 is stored in the lower panel 13 on the lower side of the instrument panel (instrument panel) 11. The instrument panel 11 covers the periphery of the column cover 9. On the column cover lower surface 9 a side of the lower panel 13, a peripheral edge portion 14 having a substantially half-square tube shape is disposed. The peripheral edge portion 14 has a gap S between the peripheral edge of the column cover lower surface 9a. A flat door portion 16 is disposed inside the peripheral portion 14 on the vehicle front side. The door portion 16 covers the opening 19c on the vehicle rear side in the case peripheral wall portion 19a so as to cover the rear side of the airbag 26 folded and stored. A hinge portion 17 formed of an integral hinge is disposed at a boundary portion between the lower edge side of the door portion 16 and the lower panel 13.

  When the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated, the door portion 16 is pushed by the airbag 26 and is opened by rotating the upper edge 16a downward on the vehicle rear side with the hinge portion 17 as the center of rotation. That is, the door part 16 opens by downward opening. The door portion 16 is curved so that the hinge portion 17 follows the peripheral edge portion 14. Therefore, the door part 16 does not fully open to the vehicle rear side, but opens at a shallow angle. The door portion 16 serves as a guide plate portion that guides the airbag 26 that is inflated and deployed so as to be easily along the column cover lower surface 9a. The upper surface side of the column cover 9 is covered by the upper panel 12 of the instrument panel 11.

  The airbag 26 is formed from a woven fabric such as flexible polyester or polyamide. The airbag 26 has a substantially rectangular plate shape that can cover the lower surface 9 a side of the column cover 9 when the inflation and inflation are completed. In the case of the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the airbag 26 is composed of an upper cloth 27 on the upper surface side and a lower cloth 28 on the lower surface side that face each other in the thickness direction. . The upper cloth 27 constitutes a wall 27 on the column cover 9 side, and the lower cloth 28 constitutes a wall 28 on the driver side.

  A cover portion 26e is disposed at the rear end portion of the right edge 26d when the airbag 26 is completely inflated. The cover part 26e can cover the part 9c of the key cylinder 7a as an accessory part on the column cover lower surface 9a side. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cover portion 26e of the embodiment covers not only the lower surface 9a and the right side surface of the cover portion 9c of the column cover 9 but also the rear surface 7b side of the key cylinder 7a at the time of deployment and expansion. It is configured (see FIG. 2). Further, the airbag 26 includes a main body portion 26g that can cover the vicinity of the center of the column cover lower surface 9a including the lower portion of the telescopic operation lever 7d during deployment and inflation. Further, the airbag 26 includes a cover portion 26f on the left edge side, although not as large as the cover portion 26e. The cover portion 26f can cover the lower side of the tilt mechanism operation lever 7c side. The tilt mechanism operation lever 7c is disposed at a position symmetrical to the key cylinder part 9c with the steering column 3 as a central axis.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the airbag 26 is provided with a plurality (two in the embodiment) of tethers 29 as connecting means for connecting the column cover side wall 27 and the driver side wall 28 to each other. Yes. The tether 29 makes it possible to maintain the substantially plate shape of the airbag 26 by making the thickness dimension t of the airbag 26 substantially constant. That is, the tether 29 has a function as a thickness regulating means of the airbag 26. Further, the film length dimension LU in the front-rear direction between the tethers 29 in the vicinity of the center in the front-rear direction of the column cover side wall 27 is set shorter than the film length dimension LD in the front-rear direction of the corresponding lower cloth 28. With such a configuration, the column cover side wall portion 27 of the airbag 26 at the time of deployment and inflation is likely to be in close contact with the curved surface that rises rearward of the column cover lower surface 9a. An insertion hole 27 a is formed in the column cover side wall 27 on the front end (lower end) 26 b side of the airbag 26. The bolts 23b of the inflator 21 are inserted through these insertion holes 27a.

  The mounting of the airbag device M1 on the vehicle will be described. First, the airbag 26 is folded with the inflator 21 built-in. Each bolt 23b of the inflator 21 is protruded from the insertion hole 27a. Further, a lead wire (not shown) for inputting an operation signal extending from the inflator body 22 is extended from a predetermined insertion hole (not shown) of the airbag 26.

  Then, after the airbag 26 is folded, the airbag 26 is wrapped with a wrapping film (not shown) that can be broken, and each bolt 23b is projected from the case 19 through the wrapping film. Then, a thin plate-like spring nut (not shown) is assembled to each projecting bolt 23b, and the folded airbag 26 and inflator 21 are stored in the case 19. Thereby, the airbag assembly SA is formed.

  The airbag 26 is first folded from the state in which the column cover side wall portion 27 and the driver side wall portion 28 are overlapped and flattened, and the left and right edges 26c and 26d are placed on the column cover side wall portion 27 side. Fold it back closer to the center. Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the rear end (upper end) 26 a side of the airbag 26 is folded so as to be wound around the column cover side wall portion 27, which is the upper surface side. In this way, if the roll is wound, the airbag rear end 26a side extends along the column cover lower surface 9a while unwinding the roll even if it contacts the upper surface side of the driver's knee when the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated. It becomes easy to expand and expand. And when the folding part of the wound state flows in expansion gas and cancels | folds, a folding part cancels | folds, unwinding the wound state. That is, the portion where the folding is canceled is pulled not to the driver side wall portion 28 side but to the column cover side wall portion 27 side of the rolled side by the rotating inertia force of the unresolved portion of the folding. Then, in this state, the folding part cancels the folding. Therefore, in the folding part of the roll fold, the folding is canceled so as to bend toward the column cover side wall 27 when the folding is canceled. As a result, at the folded portion, the column cover lower surface 9a is smoothly expanded and expanded.

  Of course, if this point is not taken into consideration, the airbag 26 may be folded so that the rear end 26a side is rolled around the driver side wall portion 28 side which is the lower surface side. Alternatively, the airbag 26 may be folded by cactus folding so that the rear end 26a side is sequentially inserted into the airbag 26 and approached to the front end 26b side. Furthermore, the airbag 26 may be folded so that the rear end 26a side approaches the front end 26b side by bellows folding or the like.

  In addition, a lead wire (not shown) extending from the inflator main body 22 is taken out from the wrapping film and from a through hole (not shown) of the case 19.

  The airbag assembly SA (airbag device M1) in which the airbag 26 and the inflator 21 are housed in the case 19 is fixed to the bracket 6 using the nut 24, and a lead wire (not shown) is connected to the control circuit. If the instrument panel 11 is mounted on the vehicle, the airbag apparatus M1 can be mounted on the vehicle.

  If a predetermined electric signal is input to the inflator body 22 after the airbag device M1 is mounted on the vehicle, the inflation gas is discharged from the gas discharge port 22a. Therefore, the airbag 26 is inflated to break a wrapping film (not shown) and push the door 16 of the lower panel 13 open. The airbag 26 is deployed and inflated while rising along the column cover lower surface 9a. When the airbag 26 has been deployed and inflated, the rear end 26a is disposed near the rear end 9d of the column cover lower surface 9a.

  That is, when the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated, the airbag 26 rises from the front side below the cover portion 9c of the column cover 9 along the column cover lower surface 9a and is deployed and inflated to the vicinity of the rear end 9c. Further, the airbag 26 has a substantially rectangular plate shape whose inflation completion shape can cover the lower surface 9 a side of the column cover 9. Therefore, even when the driver depresses the brake pedal and the driver's knee is close to the column cover 9, the airbag 26 that is deployed and inflated is between the driver's knee and the column cover lower surface 9a. Enter smoothly. The airbag 26 that has been deployed and inflated can accurately protect the knee so that the driver's knee does not interfere with the column cover 9.

  In the first embodiment, the folded airbag 26 is housed in the case 19 that is open on the vehicle rear side. In such a configuration, the airbag 26 that inflates by inflating the inflation gas can be protruded from the case opening 19c that is opened to the vehicle rear side. Therefore, the airbag 19c can be expanded and inflated while stabilizing the protruding direction and smoothly rising along the column cover lower surface 9a.

  In particular, in the first embodiment, the case 19 that houses the airbag 26 is disposed so that the axial direction is substantially parallel to the axial direction of the steering column 3. Therefore, the case 19 stabilizes the protruding direction of the airbag 26 as the direction along the axial direction of the steering column 3. As a result, the airbag 26 at the time of deployment and inflation protrudes further along the lower surface 9 a of the column cover 9.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the airbag 26 at the time of deployment and inflation includes a cover portion 26e and is configured to cover the key cylinder 7a of the cover portion 9c on the column cover lower surface 9a side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, even when the driver's knee K attempts to interfere with the key cylinder 7a protruding from the column cover 9 with the cover portion 9c interposed, the airbag cover portion 26e is not In addition, the driver's knee K can be protected. In particular, in the case of the embodiment, the expanded and inflated cover portion 26e is configured to cover the rear surface 7b side of the key cylinder 7a as shown in FIGS. Therefore, the cover portion 26e can prevent interference between the key cylinder 7a and the knee K, which is formed of a metal block.

  Further, in the case of the first embodiment, not only the key cylinder 7a but also the main body portion 26g and the cover portion 26f are not only the key cylinder 7a but also the tilt mechanism operation lever 7c disposed in the steering column 3 and the telescopic mechanism operation. It is configured to cover the lower surface side of the accessory 7 such as the lever 7d. Therefore, even if the driver's knee K attempts to interfere with these operation levers 7c and 7d, the main body portion 26a and the cover portion 26f of the airbag 26 can accurately protect the driver's knee K.

  The airbag 26 is not limited to the accessory parts 7a, 7c, and 7d that are exposed or protruded from the column cover 9 as in the embodiment, and the rigid accessory part 7 that is completely covered with the column cover 9 is disposed. You may comprise so that a site | part may be covered.

  In the first embodiment, the airbag 26 that has been expanded and inflated is configured to cover only the lower surface 9 a side of the column cover 9. However, you may comprise like the airbag apparatus M2 for knee protection of 2nd Embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the knee protecting airbag device M <b> 2 is configured such that the deployed airbag 26 </ b> A covers the instrument panel 11 in the vicinity of the column cover 9. A key cylinder 61 disposed on the right side of the column cover 9 is disposed at a portion of the upper panel 12A of the instrument panel 11 covered with the airbag 26A. Further, a parking brake release lever 62 disposed on the left side of the column cover 9 is disposed at a portion of the lower panel 13A of the instrument panel 11 covered with the airbag 26A. The airbag 26A that is deployed and inflated includes a main body portion 26g and cover portions 26e and 26f in the same manner as the airbag 26. The main body portion 26 g covers the lower surface 9 a of the column cover 9. The cover part 26e covers from the lower surface side of the key cylinder 61 to the vicinity of the rear surface side. The cover part 26f covers from the lower surface side of the release lever 62 to the vicinity of the rear surface side.

  The airbag 26A is configured in a substantially rectangular plate shape with a tether 29 disposed therein, as in the first embodiment. The other parts of the upper panel 12A and the lower panel 13A, or the configuration of the case 19 and the inflator 21 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are given to those portions, and the description of those portions is omitted. In addition, on the left side surface of the column cover 9, an operation part (operation lever) 7 e serving both as a tilt mechanism and a telescopic mechanism is disposed as an accessory part 7 of the steering column 3. Further, in the airbag device M2, the mounting process on the vehicle is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  In the airbag apparatus M2 of the second embodiment, when the airbag 26A is deployed and inflated, the airbag 26A rises along the column cover lower surface 9a from the lower side below the column cover 9, and the rear end 9d. It expands and expands to the vicinity. The airbag 26A has a substantially rectangular plate shape that can cover the lower surface 9a side of the column cover 9 as well. Therefore, even when the driver depresses the brake pedal and the driver's knee is close to the column cover 9, the airbag 26A that is deployed and inflated is between the driver's knee and the column cover lower surface 9a. Enter smoothly. The airbag 26 </ b> A that has been deployed and inflated can accurately protect the knee so that the driver's knee does not interfere with the column cover 9.

  The airbag 26A is also configured to cover a part of the instrument panel 11 in the vicinity of the column cover 9, and covers the column cover lower surface 9a side in a wide range. Therefore, the airbag 26 </ b> A can expand the protection range as compared with the airbag 26. That is, the airbag 26A can effectively protect the driver's knee in a wide range. In particular, in the second embodiment, even if the key cylinder 61 and the release lever 62 are disposed on the upper panel 12A and the lower panel 13A, the cover portions 26e and 26f cover those portions. Therefore, the airbag 26 </ b> A can accurately protect the driver's knee from the members 61 and 62.

  In the airbag 26A, not only the key cylinder 61 and the release lever 62, but also the parts disposed in the instrument panel 11 in the vicinity of the column cover 9 are not limited to the parts exposed or protruded from the instrument panel 11. You may comprise so that the arrangement | positioning site | part of the component to have may also be covered.

  Further, in the airbags 26 and 26A according to the first and second embodiments, the circumferential walls opposed to each other in the thickness direction of the airbags 26 and 26A, that is, the column cover side wall 27 and the driver side wall 28 are partially connected to each other. A tether 29 as a connecting means for connecting is provided. Therefore, the airbags 26 and 26A in the inflated state are easy to maintain a substantially plate shape. As a result, the airbags 26 and 26A can be easily disposed between the column cover lower surface 9a in the narrow space and the driver's knee K.

  Of course, if this point is not taken into consideration, as shown in FIG. 10, the outer peripheral edges of the column cover side wall 27 and the driver side wall 28 are connected to each other without providing connecting means such as the tether 29. 26 and 26A may be configured.

  The tether 29 is arranged so as to extend in a belt shape in the left-right direction of the vehicle as in the first and second embodiments. However, like the airbag 26B in FIG. 11, the tether 29 may be disposed so as to extend in a belt shape in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Then, the number of tethers 29 may be set appropriately as one or more.

  However, when the tether 29D (see FIG. 6) disposed in the left-right direction of the vehicle is disposed in the vicinity of the inflator 21 as in the airbag 26 of the first embodiment, the following operations and effects are achieved. Can be obtained. That is, the tether 29D serves as a gas flow regulating material. Then, the tether 29D has a portion (lower part) on the side of the inflator 21 from the tether 29D in the airbag 26 as an upstream portion 31 of the inflation gas, and a rear end (upper end) 26a side of the tether 29D in the airbag 26. Is divided as the downstream portion 32 of the expansion gas. Then, the expansion gas flows in the left-right direction in the upstream portion 31 and flows to the downstream portion 32 through the gas circulation holes 33 and 33. Therefore, the tether 29D raises the airbag 26 at the time of deployment and inflation along the column cover lower surface 9a in a state where the airbag 26 is widened in the left-right direction. The gas circulation hole 33 is a gap disposed between the left and right ends of the tether 29D and the left and right edges 26c and 26d of the airbag 26.

  In addition, in order to secure the substantially plate shape of the airbag, a tether that connects the peripheral walls with each other by stitching or bonding is used as a connection means for partially connecting the peripheral walls facing each other in the thickness direction of the airbag. May be. Further, like the airbag 36 shown in FIG. 12, a coupling portion 39 is formed by partially bonding the column cover side wall portion 37 and the driver side wall portion 38 so as to bond the peripheral walls themselves to each other. The connecting portion 39 may be configured as a connecting means. Further, the connecting means may be formed by weaving an airbag, partially connecting the peripheral walls facing each other in the thickness direction, and configuring the connecting portions.

  In the airbags 26 and 26A of the embodiment, the length dimension LU in the front-rear direction of the upper cloth 27 on the upper side facing in the thickness direction of the airbags 26 and 26A is set to be lower on the lower side facing in the thickness direction. The side cloth 28 is set to be shorter than the length dimension LD in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the airbags 26 and 26A at the time of deployment and inflation are in a mode in which the upper end (rear end) 26a side is bent upward, and can easily follow the column cover lower surface 9a side. As a result, the airbags 26 and 26A can be more smoothly entered between the column cover lower surface 9a in the narrow space and the driver's knee.

  In order to keep the airbag at the time of deployment in close contact with the column cover lower surface 9a, the length dimension in the front-rear direction on the upper peripheral wall facing in the thickness direction is the lower side facing in the thickness direction. In the case where the length is set shorter than the length dimension in the front-rear direction of the peripheral wall, it may be configured as an airbag 46 shown in FIGS. The airbag 46 uses the suture 30 to sew the peripheral edges of the column cover side wall 47 and the driver side wall 48 having the same shape, and then attach the suture 30 to a part of the column cover side wall 47. In use, a tack 49 is provided. The excess portion 49a of the tack 49 may be provided on the inner peripheral side of the airbag 46, or may be exposed on the outer peripheral side of the airbag 46 as illustrated in parentheses. Incidentally, the number of the tacks 49 arranged is not limited to one, and two may be arranged along the front-rear direction as in the airbag 56 shown in FIGS. Further, three or more tacks 49 may be arranged. If the number of the tacks 49 is increased in this way, the length dimension in the front-rear direction of the upper peripheral wall (upper cloth / column cover side wall) 47 at the completion of the expansion is set to the lower peripheral wall (lower cloth / It can be easily shortened with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the driver side wall 48). If a plurality of tacks 49 are arranged along the front-rear direction, the length of the upper peripheral wall 47 can be shortened with good balance.

  Moreover, you may comprise like the airbag 66 shown to FIG. The airbag 66 uses the suture thread 30 or the like to shorten the length in the front-rear direction of the column cover side wall 67 at the front and rear ends of the length dimension adjusting cloth 69 so that the outer circumference of the wall 67 Bonded to the side. Therefore, when the inflation of the airbag 66 is completed, the wall portion 67 is pulled by the adjustment cloth 69, and the length dimension of the wall portion 67 in the front-rear direction becomes shorter than the driver side wall portion 68. In such an airbag 66, the length dimension of the column cover side wall portion 67 in the front-rear direction can be easily shortened as compared with the airbag 56 in which a plurality of the tacks 49 are arranged.

  Furthermore, you may comprise like the airbag 76 shown in FIG. The airbag 76 is formed by bag weaving, and the number of column cover side wall portions 77 is greater than that of the driver side wall portion 78 in driving the yarn (warp yarn and weft yarn) when weaving. In the airbag 76, the column cover side wall 77 is difficult to extend during deployment. Therefore, when the airbag 76 is completely inflated, the length of the wall portion 77 in the front-rear direction is shorter than that of the driver side wall portion 78.

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the planar airbags 26 and 26A in which the column cover side wall portion 27 and the driver side wall portion 28 in a flat deployed state are stitched are shown. However, as in the airbag 86 shown in FIG. 20, the airbag 86 may be formed in a three-dimensional shape by combining a predetermined number of airbag materials cut in a three-dimensional manner corresponding to the inflated completed shape. In the case of the illustrated example, an airbag material 86a that forms the column cover side wall portion 87, an airbag material 86b that forms the driver side wall portion 88, and a belt-like shape for connecting the peripheral edges of the wall portions 87 and 88 to each other. The airbag material 86c that forms the connecting wall 89 and the three airbag materials 86a, 86b, and 86c. The airbag 86 is manufactured by appropriately joining these airbag materials 86a, 86b, and 86c by stitching, bonding, welding, and the like. In such an airbag 86, the inflation completion shape can be three-dimensionally formed along the column cover lower surface 9a. For this reason, the airbag 86 at the time of completion of the expansion and inflation is in close contact with the lower surface 9a side of the column cover 9 accurately.

  In the first and second embodiments, the airbags 26 and 26A are folded and housed inside the lower panels 13 and 13A of the instrument panel 11 below the column cover 9. Therefore, in the first and second embodiments, it is easier to secure a storage space for the airbags 26 and 26A than when the airbag is folded and stored in the column cover 9. Air bags 26 and 26A are housed in the lower panels 13 and 13A below the column cover 9. Therefore, during deployment and inflation, the airbags 26 and 26A can be easily and smoothly raised along the column cover lower surface 9a above the storage portion.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case 19 is connected and supported on the column 3 side together with the folded airbags 26 and 26A and the inflator 21. However, the case 19 may be connected to and supported by the lower panel 13 as shown in FIG. 21 instead of the column 3 side. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 22, the case 19 may be connected and supported to the reinforcement R on the body B side using the bracket 6. The reinforcement R is disposed in the vicinity of the steering column 3 and supports the column 3 in a connected manner.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments, a door 16 that can be pushed and opened by the airbags 26 and 26A when deployed is disposed behind the airbags 26 and 26A that are folded and stored. That is, the folded airbag 26 is closed by the door 16. Therefore, in such a configuration, the door 16 can improve the appearance design below the column cover 9. Moreover, it can prevent that the foreign material mixes in the airbag 26 * 26A by which the door part 16 was folded.

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the door portion 16 is disposed inside the lower panels 13 and 13A of the instrument panel 11. Therefore, it becomes difficult to determine the presence or absence of the airbag devices M1 and M2. That is, the vicinity of the column cover lower surface 9a has substantially the same appearance in a vehicle in which the airbag device is not mounted and a vehicle in which the airbag device is mounted. As a result, it is possible to suppress the appearance design below the column cover 9 in the airbag device-equipped vehicle from being lowered as compared to the vehicle without the airbag device.

  Note that when the folded airbags 26 and 26A are stored in the lower panel 13 and 13A of the instrument panel 11 below the column cover 9, the storage site is not easily seen by the driver or the like. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23, the door part 16 does not need to be provided. In this case, the airbags 26 and 26A are deployed and inflated from the gap S between the peripheral edge portion 14 of the lower panel 13 and 13A and the column cover 9.

  In the first and second embodiments, the door 16 that is opened when the airbags 26 and 26A are deployed and inflated is disposed on the inner side of the lower panel 13 and 13A of the instrument panel 11. However, you may comprise like the airbag apparatus M3 of 3rd Embodiment shown to FIGS. In the airbag apparatus M3, a door portion 16A is provided on the rear end side of the lower panel 13 behind the airbag 26 that is folded and stored. The door portion 16A includes a hinge portion 17A disposed on the lower edge side and a planned break portion 15. The hinge portion 17A is arranged in a substantially semicircular arc shape and is constituted by an integral hinge. The planned break portion 15 is a thin wall that can be broken and extends linearly upward from the left and right ends of the hinge portion 17A. When the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated, the door portion 16A is pushed by the airbag 26 to break the breakable portions 15 and 15, and the upper edge 16a side is rotated to the vehicle rear side with the hinge portion 17A as the rotation center. Open (open with the bottom open). The door portion 16A has a hinge portion 17A formed in a substantially semicircular arc shape. Therefore, the door portion 16A opens at a shallow angle without fully opening to the vehicle rear side. That is, the door portion 16A serves as a guide plate portion that guides the airbag 26 that is inflated and inflated along the column cover lower surface 9a. The airbag apparatus M3 is different in that an operation portion (operation lever) 7e serving as a tilt mechanism and a telescopic mechanism is disposed on the left side surface of the column cover 9, but other members are The members are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the members and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the airbag apparatus M3, when the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated, the airbag 26 pushes open the door portion 16A and rises from the lower side below the column cover 9 along the column cover lower surface 9a. While expanding and expanding. The airbag 26 has a substantially rectangular plate shape that is capable of covering the lower surface 9a side of the column cover 9 when the inflation is completed. Therefore, even when the driver depresses the brake pedal and the driver's knee is close to the column cover 9, the airbag 26 that is deployed and inflated is between the driver's knee and the column cover lower surface 9a. Enter smoothly. As a result, the airbag 26 can accurately protect the knee so that the driver's knee does not interfere with the column cover 9.

  Moreover, in this 3rd Embodiment, 16 A of door parts are exposed and arrange | positioned so that it can visually observe directly on the surface side inside a vehicle. Therefore, the lower panel 13B itself on which the door portion 16A is disposed serves as the airbag cover 13B that covers the folded airbag 26 and the vehicle rear side of the case 19. And in 3rd Embodiment, the hinge part 17A at the time of opening is arrange | positioned at the lower end side of the door part 16A so that the door part 16A arrange | positioned at the airbag cover 13B may open downward, and is comprised. Has been. In such a configuration, the door portion 16A is opened downward, and is opened from the upper end 16a side when being pushed and opened by the airbag 26 that is deployed and inflated. Therefore, the airbag 26 that is deployed and inflated protrudes from the upper side of the opening area OA that the door portion 16A opens at the beginning of the opening of the door portion 16A. That is, the airbag 26 that is inflated and inflated easily protrudes upward. As a result, the airbag 26 is smoothly deployed and inflated while rising along the column cover lower surface 9a side. Moreover, since the folded airbag 26 is covered with the airbag cover 13B and mounted on the vehicle, the appearance design of the airbag apparatus M3 can be improved.

  Further, the airbag cover 13B is formed integrally with the lower panel 13B of the instrument panel 11 below the column cover 9. Therefore, even if the airbag device M3 is mounted on a vehicle, the appearance near the column cover 9 is not deteriorated.

  Further, the door portion 16A of the airbag cover 13B is configured to be opened by breaking the planned break portion 15 disposed on the periphery. That is, the door portion 16A of the airbag cover 13B can have the same appearance as the airbag cover main body portion (general portion) 13a around the door portion 16A. Therefore, the airbag cover 13B can improve the appearance design including the door portion 16A.

  In the first to third embodiments, the airbags 26 and 26 </ b> A are accommodated in the lower panels 13 and 13 </ b> A of the instrument panel 11 below the column cover 9 by being covered with the door portions 16 and 16 </ b> A. However, if the airbag that expands and expands expands and expands along the column cover lower surface 9a and can smoothly enter between the driver's knee and the column cover lower surface 9a, the airbag is moved into the column cover 9. You may store in. That is, a door that can push open a folded airbag below the cover portion 9c on the lower surface 9a side of the column cover 9 or below a substantially intermediate portion of the column cover 9 on the lower surface 9a side in the vertical direction. It may be covered with a portion and stored in the column cover 9 (see the column cover 9A in FIGS. 72 and 73).

  Further, the door portions 16 and 16A of the first to third embodiments are configured to serve as a guide plate portion that guides the airbags 26 and 26A at the time of deployment and inflation along the column cover lower surface 9a. However, as shown in FIG. 27, a guide plate for guiding the airbag 26 during deployment to the lower edge side edge of the opening 19c on the vehicle rear side in the peripheral wall portion 19a of the case 19A along the column cover lower surface 9a. The unit 20 may be provided. Further, a diffuser 25 that restricts the flow of the inflation gas in the vicinity of the inflator body 22 so that the flow of the inflation gas discharged from the inflator body 22 follows the column cover lower surface 9a (two points in FIGS. 3 and 26). A chain line reference) may be provided.

  Furthermore, when providing a function as a guide plate portion on the door portions 16 and 16A, the opening angle is restricted by the arrangement shape of the hinge portions 17 and 17A as in the embodiment, and the configuration as shown in FIG. Good. In other words, an angle regulating member 18 that regulates the opening angle of the door portion 16A by interfering with the door portions 16 and 16A or the door portions 16 and 16A itself when the door portions 16 and 16A are opened may be provided.

  Furthermore, in each of the embodiments M1, M2, and M3, the airbag assembly SA is assembled before being mounted on the vehicle. The airbag assembly SA is formed in the case 19 by accommodating the folded airbags 26 and 26A and the inflator 21 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag. In each embodiment, the airbag assembly SA is fixed to the steering column 3 or the vehicle body B or attached to the lower panel 13 when mounted on the vehicle. In such a configuration, the airbag devices M1, M2, and M3 can be assembled in advance as an assembly. Therefore, with such a configuration, the assembly work of the airbag devices M1, M2, and M3 to the vehicle becomes easy. Moreover, in such a structure, since each member can be integrated, handling of each member until vehicle mounting becomes easy. The airbag assembly SA may be attached to the lower panel 13, but is preferably attached to the rigid steering column 3 or the vehicle body B in order to secure the attachment strength.

  Next, a knee protecting airbag device M4 according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 28 to 31 will be described. The airbag device M4 is held by a plate-like holding plate 117 as a holding member disposed below the column cover 9. As shown in FIG. 31, the holding plate 117 is disposed below the column cover 9. And the holding | maintenance plate 117 is being fixed to the flame | frame part FC * FR of the vehicle arrange | positioned on either side using a volt | bolt, respectively. The airbag device M4 includes an airbag 129 stored below the steering column 3, an inflator 124 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 129, and a case 119 that stores the airbag 129 and the inflator 124. . The airbag device M4 is attached to the holding plate 117 so that the case 119 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the holding plate 117.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, the column cover 9 and the steering column 3 covered by the column cover 9 have substantially the same configuration as the first to third embodiments.

  The case 119 is made of sheet metal and includes a bag storage unit 120 and an inflator storage unit 121 as shown in FIGS. The bag storage unit 120 stores the folded airbag 129 and includes an opening 120d on the vehicle rear side. The inflator storage unit 121 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the bag storage unit 120 and stores the inflator 124. The bag storage unit 120 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The bag storage unit 120 includes a substantially square cylindrical peripheral wall 120a and a bottom wall 120b. The bottom wall portion 120 b includes a communication hole 120 c that is disposed on the vehicle front side of the peripheral wall portion 120 a and communicates with the inflator storage portion 121. The inflator storage portion 121 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The inflator storage part 121 includes a peripheral wall part 121a and a bottom wall part 121b. The peripheral wall portion 121a has a substantially rectangular tube shape and is disposed on the periphery of the communication hole 120c formed in the bottom wall portion 120b of the bag storage portion 120. The bottom wall 121b is disposed on the vehicle front side of the peripheral wall 121a.

  And the width dimension in the vehicle up-down direction of the bag storage part 120 and the inflator storage part 121 is substantially the same as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 30, the width dimension w1 of the bag storage portion 120 in the left-right direction of the vehicle is formed larger than the width dimension w2 of the inflator storage portion 121 in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

  A flange portion 120e for attaching the case 119 to the holding plate 117 protrudes outward from the periphery of the opening 120d of the bag storage portion 120. In the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the case 119 fixes the flange portion 120e to the holding plate 117 using a bolt or the like (not shown). Further, the case 119 is arranged along the column cover lower surface 9a so that the axial direction O of the peripheral wall portions 120a and 121a protrudes along the lower surface 9a of the column cover 9 when the stored airbag 129 protrudes from the case 119. (Along the axial direction of the steering column 3).

  As shown in FIGS. 28 to 30, 32, and 33, the inflator 124 includes a cylinder-type main body 125 and two bracket portions 126 and 126. The main body 125 includes a gas discharge port 125a through which an expansion gas is discharged. Similarly to the inflator 21 of the first embodiment, the inflator 124 is also operated by inputting an electrical signal from a predetermined control device simultaneously with the airbag device for the steering wheel 1. Each bracket part 126 is comprised from the holding | maintenance ring 126a made from a sheet metal which can clamp the main body 125, and the volt | bolt 126b which protrudes from the holding | maintenance ring 126a similarly to the bracket part 23 of 1st Embodiment. The inflator 124 is assembled with the bracket portions 126 and 126 to the main body 125, wrapped in the airbag 129, and stored in the inflator storage portion 121. Then, a nut 127 is fastened to each bolt 126 protruding from the storage portion 121, and the inflator 124 is attached and fixed to the inflator storage portion 121 together with the airbag 129. Further, a lead wire (not shown) is connected to the main body 125.

  The holding plate 117 is made of sheet metal and is disposed on the lower side of the instrument panel 11 that covers the periphery of the column cover 9 as shown in FIGS. The holding plate 117 is covered with the lower panel 13 on the lower side of the instrument panel 11 on the inner side of the vehicle. The lower panel 13 also serves as the airbag cover 112. An opening 117 a is formed in the holding plate 117 so as to communicate with the opening 120 d of the case 119. The airbag cover 112 is formed with a substantially rectangular plate-shaped door 114 (114A / 114B) that is pushed by the airbag 129 when it is inflated and opened to the inside of the vehicle. These door portions 114 are formed integrally with the airbag cover 112, and are configured by disposing a thin portion to be broken 113 as shown in FIGS. The planned fracture portion 113 is substantially H-shaped when viewed from the inside of the vehicle. As for each door part 114, the door part 114A of the vehicle upper side has arrange | positioned the hinge part 115 to the upper edge side, and the door part 114B of the vehicle lower side has arrange | positioned the hinge part 115 to the lower edge side. And each door part 114A * 114B is set so that it may each open in a vehicle up-down direction. In the embodiment, the doors 114A and 114B are set to open in the vertical direction, but may be configured to open in the horizontal direction. Further, as shown in a door portion 314 in FIG. 68, the door portion may be configured by a single piece by arranging the planned fracture portion 315 in an inverted U shape when viewed from the vehicle interior side. In this case, the door portion 314 is a downward opening type in which a hinge portion 316 is disposed on the lower edge side.

  The airbag 129 is formed of a flexible woven fabric such as polyester or polyamide, and has a substantially rectangular plate shape when the inflation is completed as shown in FIGS. The airbag 129 includes a wall portion 133 that becomes the column cover 9 side when the deployment and inflation are completed, and a wall portion 134 that becomes the driver D side. The column cover side wall 133 at the lower end (front end) 129b of the airbag 129 is provided with a storage portion 133a for storing and attaching the inflator 124. The storage portion 133a is disposed so as to protrude toward the front side of the vehicle. The storage portion 133a is formed with an insertion hole 133b through which each bolt 126b is inserted.

  The airbag 129 includes a central portion 129c near the center in the left-right direction, and a left end portion 129d and a right end portion 129f located on the left and right sides of the central portion 129c. The inflator 124 is housed in the central portion 129c on the lower end (front end) 129b side of the airbag 129. As shown in FIGS. 31 and 40, the airbag 129 rises from the case 119 along the lower surface 9a side of the column cover 9 during deployment and inflation. The airbag 129 can protect the driver D from the vicinity of both knees KR and KL to the vicinity of the thigh T.

  As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, a plurality of tethers 135 for connecting the column cover side wall 133 and the driver side wall 134 are disposed in the airbag 129. The tether 135 is a thickness regulating means for making the thickness dimension of the airbag 129 constant during deployment. The tether 135 (135D / 135U) is formed of a flexible material in the same manner as the airbag 129. The tether 135D is disposed substantially parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle on the upper side near the storage portion 133a. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 37, the position of the tether 135D is a position where the tether 135D is disengaged from the airbag housing part (case 119) toward the vehicle interior during deployment and inflating. It is disposed at a position near the storage site. The tether 135U is disposed along the vehicle vertical direction at the center in the left-right direction near the upper end (front end) of the airbag 129. The tethers 135D and 135U make the thickness of the airbag 129 excluding the storage portion 133a constant when the airbag 129 is deployed and inflated. The tethers 135D and 135U are arranged in order to allow the airbag 129 that is deployed and inflated to smoothly enter between the knee K of the driver D and the column cover lower surface 9a.

  Further, the tether 135D serves to partition the airbag 129 into an upstream portion 130 and a downstream portion 131 of the inflation gas G. That is, the tether 135D partitions the airbag 129 into a lower upstream portion 130 and an upper downstream portion 131.

  Further, the tether 135D also serves as a gas flow regulating material. That is, the left and right end portions 135a and 135b of the tether 135D are disposed away from the left and right edges 129e and 129g of the airbag 129. Therefore, gas circulation holes 136 and 136 are disposed between the end portions 135a and 135b and the edges 129e and 129g, respectively. The expansion gas G is regulated by the tether 135D and flows in the left and right direction in the upstream portion 130, and then flows to the downstream portion 131 through the gas flow holes 136 and 136.

  The mounting of the airbag device M4 on a vehicle will be described. First, the airbag 129 is folded with the inflator 124 built-in. Each bolt 126b of the inflator 124 is protruded from the insertion hole 133b. A lead wire (not shown) extending from the main body 125 is put out from a predetermined insertion hole (not shown) in the airbag 129.

  In the case of the embodiment, the airbag 129 is folded by two processes, a vertical folding process and a horizontal folding process.

  In the longitudinal folding process, as shown in FIG. 34A, first, the driver side wall part 134 is brought into contact with the column cover side wall part 133 and flattened. Next, as shown in FIG. 34B, the left and right edges 129e and 129g of the airbag 129 are folded so as to approach the storage portion 133a side (central portion 129c side). At this time, the vicinity of both the left and right edges 129e and 129g is folded toward the column cover side wall 133 side so as to have a shape as shown in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 34C, the folded edge portions 137 and 137 are folded so as to approach the storage portion 133a side. At this time, both edge portions 137 and 137 after being folded are folded back toward the column cover side wall portion 133 to form folded portions 138 and 138, respectively. As a result, the left and right end portions 129d and 129f of the airbag 129 are bellows folded to the column cover side wall 133 side. Then, the longitudinal folding process ends.

  At this time, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35B, the width dimension w3 of the folded airbag 129 in the left-right direction is equal to the width dimension w1 in the left-right direction of the bag storage unit 120 in the case 119 (FIG. 30). Reference)), or a slightly smaller dimension.

  Next, in the lateral folding step, as shown in FIG. 34D, the airbag 129 after the longitudinal folding is folded so as to be rolled from the upper end 129a toward the column cover side wall 133 side. By this roll folding, the horizontal folding process is completed, and the folding operation of the airbag 129 is completed.

  Then, after folding, the airbag 129 is wrapped with a wrapping film (not shown) that can be broken, and each bolt 126b protrudes from the wrapping film. Next, each bolt 126b is protruded from the case 119, a nut 127 is tightened to each protruding bolt 126b, the inflator 124 and the airbag 129 are attached to the case 119, and the airbag assembly SA is assembled. At this time, the inflator 124 is stored in the inflator storage unit 121, and the folded airbag 129 is stored in the bag storage unit 120. In addition, a lead wire (not shown) extending from the inflator main body 125 is taken out from the wrapping film and from a through hole (not shown) of the case 119.

  Then, the airbag assembly SA including the case 119, the inflator 124, and the airbag 129 is fixed to the holding plate 117 using the flange portion 120e. Further, both ends in the left-right direction of the holding plate 117 are fixed to the vehicle frame portions FC and FR arranged on the left and right using bolts, respectively. Then, if lead wires (not shown) are connected to the control circuit and the upper panel 12 and the lower panel 13 of the instrument panel 11 are mounted on the vehicle, the airbag apparatus M4 can be mounted on the vehicle as shown in FIGS. . In addition, it is desirable to fix the lower panel 13 as the airbag cover 112 to the periphery of the opening 117a of the holding plate 117 so that the planned break portion 113 is smoothly broken.

  If a predetermined electrical signal is input to the inflator body 125 after the airbag device M4 is mounted on the vehicle, the inflation gas G is discharged from the gas discharge port 125a, and the airbag 129 is expanded. Then, the airbag 129 breaks a wrapping film (not shown) and pushes the doors 114A and 114B of the airbag cover 112 open. The substantially plate-shaped airbag 129 is expanded and inflated while being lifted along the column cover lower surface 9a while eliminating the horizontal folding and the vertical folding.

  At this time, in the airbag apparatus M4 of the fourth embodiment, the airbag 129 is folded in advance so as to roll the upper end 129a toward the column cover side wall 133 side. Therefore, when the airbag 129 flows in the inflation gas G to cancel the lateral folding, as shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the upper end 129a side is deployed along the column cover lower surface 9a while unwinding the roll. Inflate and complete the expansion as shown in FIG. At this time, the airbag 129 approaches the column cover 9 side as much as possible when the airbag is inflated to cancel the folding, so that the driver D can be prevented from protruding in the knee K direction. As a result, the airbag 129 is expanded and inflated while suppressing the protrusion to the driver D side and rising smoothly along the column cover lower surface 9a. Further, even if the airbag 129 contacts the knee K of the driver D, the airbag 129 can be smoothly deployed so as to unwind the roll, and does not give the driver D unnecessary pressing force.

  Furthermore, in the airbag 129 of the fourth embodiment, when the airbag 129 is rolled and folded, it is folded through a vertical folding process. In the vertical folding step, the airbag 129 is folded flat so that the left and right edges 129e and 129f approach the center portion 129c side in a state where the airbag 129 is flattened, and the case 119 (airbag storage unit 120) It is folded to a width dimension w3 that can be stored in the box. Therefore, in the airbag apparatus M4 according to the fourth embodiment, when the airbag 129 is deployed and inflated, the airbag 129 has an area wider than the width dimension w1 in the left-right direction of the case 119 (the airbag storage part 120). 9a can be covered. As a result, the airbag 129 can protect both knees KL and KR of the driver D in a wide range.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, when the inflation gas G is introduced and the airbag 129 cancels the longitudinal folding, first, as shown in FIG. 38, the driver side wall of the central portion 129c where the inflator 124 is disposed is first. The part 134 protrudes from the case 119 and approaches the driver D side. Next, the left and right end portions 129d and 129f connected to the central portion 129c protrude from the case 119 and approach the driver D side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 39, the folding portions 138 and 138 on the left and right edges 129e and 129g side of the airbag 129 release the folding as the inflation gas G flows. At that time, the left and right end portions 129d and 129f adjacent to the central portion 129c are folded on the column cover side wall portion 133 side as shown in FIG. Therefore, the left and right edges 129e and 129g of the airbag 129 are restrained from protruding to the driver D side as much as possible, that is, in a state of facing the column cover 9 side, and the folding is eliminated while being widely deployed in the left and right directions. Will be allowed to.

  Accordingly, the knee protecting airbag device M4 of the fourth embodiment can obtain the same actions and effects as those of the first to third embodiments. Furthermore, since the airbag 129 is expanded and inflated to suppress the protrusion to the driver D side and widen the width dimension in the left-right direction, the driver D's knees KR and KL can be accurately protected. Can do.

  Further, in the airbag device M4 of the fourth embodiment, the airbag 129 causes the tether 135D to flow the inflation gas G toward the left and right sides at the upstream portion 130 on the airbag lower side, and then downstream. It is comprised so that it may flow to the upper part side of the airbag 129 as the side part 131. FIG. In such an airbag 129, the inflation gas G flows toward both sides in the left-right direction when flowing in the upstream portion 130 (see FIG. 32). Therefore, the lower side of the airbag 129 is restrained from projecting to the driver D side, and is expanded and inflated so as to widen the width in the left-right direction, and then the inflating of the downstream portion 131 on the upper side is completed. Become. As a result, the airbag 129 is further expanded and inflated so as to suppress the protrusion to the driver D side and widen the width in the left-right direction. The knees KL and KR can be accurately protected.

  In particular, in the airbag 129 of the fourth embodiment, a tether 135D that connects the column cover side wall part 133 and the driver side wall part 134 is disposed as a gas flow regulating material in the upstream portion 130. The tether 135D as the gas flow restricting material forms a gas flow hole 136 in the airbag 129 between the left and right ends 135a and 135b and the left and right sides 129e and 129g in the airbag 129, respectively. It is arranged along the left-right direction. In such a configuration, the flow of the inflation gas G can be reliably regulated by the tether 135D disposed in the airbag 129, and the airbag 129 can be prevented from projecting to the driver D side. Then, it expands and expands so as to widen the width dimension in the left-right direction (see FIGS. 38 and 39). Since the tether 135D is formed of a flexible cloth material, the tether 135D can be folded together with the airbag 129 without being bulky when the airbag 129 is stored. Further, the gas flow regulating member 135D connects the column cover side wall 133 and the driver side wall 134. Therefore, the gas flow regulating member 135D can regulate the thickness of the airbag 129 to be constant when the inflation of the airbag 129 is completed, and can further suppress the protrusion to the driver D side.

  Further, in the airbag 129 of the fourth embodiment, a tether 135U as a thickness regulating means capable of regulating the thickness of the airbag 129 is also provided in the downstream portion 131. That is, the downstream portion 131 of the airbag 129 in the inflated state is easily maintained in a substantially plate shape by the tether 135U. Therefore, the tether 135U can easily dispose the airbag 129 between the column cover lower surface 9a in the narrow space and the knees KL and KR of the driver D.

  Furthermore, in the airbag 129 of the fourth embodiment, the tether 135D as the gas flow regulating material is a position in the airbag 129 that is separated from the airbag storage part 119 during deployment and inward of the vehicle, and It is disposed at a position in the vicinity of the storage site (see FIG. 37). In such a configuration, the gas flow regulating member 135D located in the free space Z inside the vehicle at the beginning when the airbag 129 protrudes from the airbag housing part 119 during deployment and rises along the column cover lower surface 9a side. Thus, the airbag 129 can be further rapidly deployed in the left-right direction. Therefore, the gas flow regulating member 135D can further suppress the protrusion of the airbag 129 to the driver D side.

  In the fourth embodiment, the airbag assembly SA is connected to the body B side frame portion FC / FR on both the left and right sides of the steering column 3 using the holding plate 117. Therefore, in the airbag apparatus M4, the airbag assembly SA can be easily assembled to the vehicle without interfering with the steering column 3. Of course, in the fourth embodiment, as in the first to third embodiments, the airbag 129, the inflator 124, and the case 119 of the airbag apparatus M4 can be assembled as an assembly in advance as an airbag assembly SA. Therefore, the work of assembling the airbag device M4 to the vehicle is facilitated. Moreover, in such a structure, since each member can be integrated, handling of each member until vehicle mounting becomes easy.

  In the embodiment, the case where the flange portion 120e of the case 119 is connected to the holding plate 117 using a bolt or the like is shown. However, the flange portion 120e may be extended, the holding plate 117 may be omitted, and the flange portion 120e may be directly connected and fixed to the frame portion FC / FR.

  In the fourth embodiment, the folded portions 138 and 138 on the left and right edges 129e and 129g of the airbag 129 are folded by bellows folding. However, the bellows folding of the airbag 129 at the left and right end portions 129d and 129f to the column cover side wall 133 is not limited to the above folding method. For example, it may be as shown in FIGS. In the airbag 129 of FIG. 41, the folding portions 138 and 138 on the left and right end portions 129d and 129f side of the airbag 129 are folded by two-stage bellows folding. Each folding part 138 is arranged on the column cover side wall 133 side so that the left and right edges 129e and 129g of the airbag 129 are directed outward. In the airbag 129 of FIG. 42, the folding portions 138 and 138 of the left and right ends 129d and 129f are folded by three-stage bellows folding. And each folding site | part 138 is arrange | positioned in the column cover wall part 133 side so that the both right and left edges 129e * 129g of the main-body part 133 may go to the accommodating part 133a side, respectively.

  If the folding part 138 is configured to be folded by bellows folding like these, when the airbag 129 is folded using the folding plate, the order and position of the folding plate can be changed as appropriate, The degree of freedom of the folding process can be increased.

  In addition, after completing the vertical folding process in the state as shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the process proceeds to the roll folding horizontal folding process described above.

  The airbag 129 may be folded vertically as shown in FIGS. First, as shown to A of FIG. 43, the driver | operator side wall part 134 is made to contact | abut to the column cover side wall part 133, and is expand | deployed flatly. Next, as shown in FIG. 43B, the left and right edges 129e and 129g of the airbag 129 are roll-folded so as to be wound toward the column cover side wall 133, thereby completing the vertical folding process. As shown in FIG. 44, the folding portions 140 and 140 of the both ends 129d and 129f that are vertically folded are arranged on the wall 133 side on the column cover side, respectively. At this time, the width dimension w4 in the left-right direction of the folded airbag 129 is substantially the same as the width dimension w1 in the left-right direction of the bag storage portion 120 in the case 119, as in the case of folding by the above-described folding method. Alternatively, the dimensions are slightly smaller.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 43C, the folded airbag 129 is folded so as to be rolled from the upper end 129a toward the column cover side wall 133, and the lateral folding process is completed. Complete the folding work.

  When the airbag 129 is folded in this way, when the airbag 129 is deployed and inflated, the left and right edges 129e and 129g of the airbag 129 are as close as possible to the column cover 9 side when the folding is canceled so as to unwind. To eliminate the fold. Therefore, the left and right end portions 129d and 129f of the airbag 129 can further suppress the protrusion to the driver D side.

  In addition, when the folding parts 140 and 140 in the wound state flow in the expansion gas to cancel the folding, the folding parts 140 and 140 cancel the folding while releasing the wound state. That is, the portion where the folding is canceled is pulled to the wound side by the rotating inertia force of the unresolved portion of the folding. In this state, the folding parts 140 and 140 cancel the folding. Therefore, in the folding portions 140 and 140, the folding is canceled so as to bend toward the column cover side wall 133 when the folding is canceled. As a result, the folding portions 140 and 140 are developed in the left-right direction of the vehicle along the column cover lower surface 9a.

  Further, the airbag 129 may be housed in a case 142 as shown in FIG. The case 142 includes a substantially rectangular tube-shaped peripheral wall portion 142a and a substantially rectangular bottom wall portion 142b that closes the vehicle front side of the peripheral wall portion 142a. In the case 142, the width dimension w5 in the vehicle left-right direction is set to a width dimension that can accommodate the inflator 124 as shown in FIG. The case 142 is attached and fixed to the holding plate 117 using a flange portion 142d formed at the periphery of the opening 142c of the peripheral wall portion 142a, as in the case 119 described above.

  The airbag 129 is folded when stored in the case 142 as follows. First, in the longitudinal folding step, as shown in FIGS. 46A, 46B, and 46C, the left and right end portions 129d and 129f of the airbag 129 are longitudinally folded to form folded portions 138 and 138, as in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 46D, the folding parts 138 and 138 are maintained on the column cover side wall 133 side, respectively, on the outer surface of the central part 129c of the driver side wall part 134 (on the vehicle rear side). Fold it so that it can be placed on the top and the driver side. That is, the airbag 129 is folded into a shape as shown in FIG. At this time, in the airbag 129, the width dimension w6 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the width dimension w5 in the left-right direction of the case 142.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 46E, similar to the above-described folding, the folded airbag 129 is folded so as to be rolled from the upper end 129a toward the column cover side wall 133, thereby completing the lateral folding process. Then, the folding operation of the airbag 129 is completed.

  If the airbag 129 is folded in this manner, the width dimension w6 in the left-right direction of the airbag 129 when the vertical folding is completed can be made compact as compared to the folding method described above with reference to FIG.

  Even when the airbag 129 is folded in this way, when the inflation gas flows into the airbag 129 and the longitudinal folding is eliminated, first, the driver side wall 134 of the central portion 129c in the vicinity of the inflator 124 is used. However, it protrudes from the case 142 and approaches the driver D side. At that time, the central part 129c is unfolded so that the folded parts 138 and 138 placed on the outer surface of the central part 129c of the driver side wall portion 134 are pushed away in the left-right direction. Thereafter, as described above, the left and right end portions 129d and 129f adjacent to the central portion 129c are folded to the column cover side wall 133 side as shown in FIGS. . Therefore, as described above, the left and right edges 129e and 129g of the airbag 129 are prevented from projecting to the driver D side as much as possible, that is, in a state where the airbag 129 faces the column cover 9 side, it is widely deployed in the left and right direction. However, the fold will be eliminated.

  As described above, if the left and right end portions 129d and 129f of the airbag 129 are respectively arranged on the column cover side wall portion 133 side and folded, the folded portions 138 and 138 of the both end portions 129d and 129f become the driver side wall portions. It may be folded on the outer surface of the central portion 129c of 134 (on the side of the wall 134 on the driver side) so as to make the width dimension in the left-right direction compact. That is, even with such a folding method, the airbag 129 can be deployed and inflated so as to suppress the protrusion to the driver D side and widen the width in the left-right direction. KR / KL can be protected accurately.

  48 and 49, first, the airbag 129 is roll-folded so that the left and right ends 129d and 129f are wound toward the column cover side wall 133, respectively. You may go. And you may fold the airbag 129 so that the folding parts 140 * 140 may be mounted on the driver | operator side wall part 134 side, respectively.

  In the fourth embodiment, the airbag 129 in which the tethers 135D and 135U are arranged is used as a gas flow regulating material that regulates the flow of the inflation gas G discharged from the inflator 124. However, an airbag 152 provided with a gas flow regulating member 159 as shown in FIGS. 50 and 51 may be used for the airbag device M4.

  The airbag 152 includes a column cover side wall part 157 and a driver side wall part 158. The column cover side wall part 157 is formed with a storage part 157a and an insertion hole 157b for storing the inflator 124. A substantially cylindrical rectifying cloth 159 as a gas flow restricting material is disposed in the upstream portion 154 of the gas G on the lower side of the airbag 152. The rectifying cloth 159 has openings 159 a and 159 a on both sides in the vehicle left-right direction so as to cover the outer periphery of the inflator 124. Further, in the downstream portion 155 of the gas G on the upper side of the airbag 152, the column cover side wall portion 157 and the driver side wall portion 158 are connected to each other in the same manner as the tether 135U of the airbag 129 described above. A tether 160 for making the thickness dimension of the downstream portion 155 at the time of expansion and expansion constant is arranged.

  If the airbag 152 has such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 50, the flow straightening cloth 159 causes the inflation gas G discharged from the inflator 124 to flow in the left and right directions as shown in FIG. Shed. Thereafter, the inflation gas G flows to the downstream portion 155 from between the openings 159 a and 159 a at both the left and right ends of the flow regulating cloth 159 and the left and right edges 152 a and 152 b of the airbag 152. Therefore, this airbag 152 can be deployed and inflated so that the width dimension in the left-right direction is widened while being surely prevented from projecting to the driver D side by the baffle cloth 159 during deployment. In other words, the airbag 152 can be expanded and inflated so as to suppress the protrusion to the driver D side and widen in the left-right direction at the time of deployment and inflating. It can be protected accurately.

  Moreover, you may use the guide member 177 provided in the inflator 173 as shown in FIG. 52 as a gas flow control material.

  The airbag 164 in which the inflator 173 is disposed includes a column cover side wall portion 169 and a driver side wall portion 170. The column cover side wall portion 169 is provided with a storage portion 169a for storing the inflator 173. A tether for connecting the column cover side wall portion 169 and the driver side wall portion 170 to the downstream side portion 167 on the upper side of the airbag 164 so that the thickness dimension of the downstream side portion 167 during deployment is constant. 171 is arranged. An inflator 173 is disposed in the upstream portion 166 on the lower side of the airbag 164. The inflator 173 includes a main body 174 and two bracket portions 176 and 176. Gas discharge ports 175 and 175 that can discharge the inflation gas G toward the left and right edges 164a and 164b of the airbag 164 are formed at both left and right ends of the main body 174, respectively. In addition, guide members 177 and 177 as gas flow restricting materials are arranged near the left and right ends of the main body 174. Each guide member 177 has a plate shape that covers at least the upper side of the gas discharge ports 175 and 175.

  In such a guide member 177, as shown in FIG. 52, the inflation gas G is guided from the gas discharge ports 175 and 175 of the inflator 173 to the guide members 177 and 177 in the upstream portion 166. The air bag 164 is discharged toward both the left and right sides. Therefore, the airbag 164 is expanded and inflated so that the width dimension in the left-right direction is widened while reliably preventing the airbag 164 from projecting toward the driver D side. As a result, the airbag 164 is deployed and inflated so as to suppress the protrusion to the driver D side and widen the width dimension in the left-right direction, and can accurately protect both knees K of the driver D.

  In the illustrated example, the guide member 177 is illustrated as a plate. However, the shape of the guide member as the gas flow regulating material is not limited to this. For example, a cylindrical one may be used. Further, in the illustrated example, the guide member 177 is disposed in the main body 174 and guides the expansion gas discharged from the gas discharge ports 175 and 175 so as to go to both sides in the left-right direction. However, as a configuration in which the guide members 177 and 177 are not disposed in the inflator 173, the inflation gas G discharged from the gas discharge ports 175 and 175 may be directly directed from the main body 174 to the left and right sides of the airbag 164. Good. In other words, the inflator itself may be configured such that the gas flow restricting material is additionally provided using the gas discharge port 175 or the like.

  Furthermore, as the airbag, the airbag 182 of the airbag apparatus M5 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 53 and 54 may be used. The airbag 182 is provided with a storage portion 184 for storing the inflator 124 near the center of the boundary portion between the column cover side wall portion 185 and the driver side wall portion 186 at the lower end 182b. The airbag 182 includes a central portion 182c near the center in the left-right direction, and left and right end portions 182d and 182f on the left and right edges 182e and 182g connected to the central portion 182c. As shown in FIG. 54, the airbag 182 is folded such that the folded portions 187 and 187 of the left and right end portions 182d and 182f are first disposed on the side of the wall portion 185 on the column cover side, respectively. It is folded vertically. Thereafter, the airbag 182 is folded so as to be roll-folded from the upper end 182a toward the column cover side wall portion 185, and is stored in the case 119.

  In the airbag 182, the storage portion 184 to which the inflator 124 is attached is arranged on the same straight line as the main body portion 183 of the airbag 182. The main body portion 183 refers to a portion other than the storage portion 184 of the airbag 182. Even in such an airbag 182, the inflation gas discharged from the inflator 124 at the time of deployment and inflation first flows into the main body 183 and then flows toward the upper end 182a along the central portion 182c. And the central part 182c vicinity in the driver | operator side wall part 186 expand | swells to the driver | operator D side, releasing roll folding. Next, like the airbag 129, the folding portions 187 and 187 of the left and right end portions 182d and 182f connected to the central portion 182c allow the inflation gas to flow in, along the column cover lower surface 9a side while unfolding. Expand and expand. At that time, the airbag 182 is deployed and inflated so as to increase the width in the left-right direction while suppressing the protrusion to the driver D side as much as possible during deployment. As a result, the airbag 182 can accurately protect both knees K of the driver D.

  When the airbag 182 is housed in the case 142 shown in FIG. 45, the folding portions 187 and 187 are placed on the driver side walls as shown in FIG. Place it on the part 186. And then, the roll may be folded.

  In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the airbag is folded by performing a horizontal folding process after the vertical folding process. However, although it is difficult to obtain the operations and effects of the fourth and fifth embodiments, the vertical folding process may be performed after the horizontal folding process. Moreover, in a horizontal folding process, you may fold by bellows folding. Further, lateral folding or vertical folding may be appropriately added during the vertical folding process or the horizontal folding process. For example, in the folding process of the airbag 129 as shown in FIG. 46, the airbag 129 is first folded to the state shown in FIG. 46B. Thereafter, the upper end 129a is roll-folded toward the column cover side wall 133 side to the vicinity of the intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the airbag 129. Next, the vertical folding is completed by vertically folding to the state shown in FIG. 46D. And you may fold so that the airbag which carried out roll folding to the middle may be roll-folded and a horizontal folding may be completed.

  Next, a knee protecting airbag device M6 according to a sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 55 to 57 will be described. The airbag device M6 is held by a plate-like holding plate 117 as a holding member disposed below the column cover 9, as in the fourth and fifth embodiments. The airbag device M6 includes a folded airbag 226, an inflator 124 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 226, and a case 142 that houses the airbag 226 and the inflator 124. The airbag device M6 is attached to the holding plate 117 so that the case 142 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the holding plate 117.

  The column cover 9, the steering column 3 covered by the column cover 9, the instrument panel 11, the inflator 124, and the holding plate 117 are the same as those in the fourth embodiment, and the same reference numerals as those in the fourth embodiment are attached to the respective parts, Description is omitted. Also, the case 142 is the same as that shown in FIG. 45, and the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  The airbag 226 is formed from a woven fabric such as flexible polyester or polyamide. The airbag 226 has substantially the same shape as the airbag 129 according to the fourth embodiment in which the lower end 129b is extended downward. That is, as shown in FIGS. 58 and 59, the airbag 226 includes a column cover side wall portion 231 and a driver side wall portion 232, and has a substantially rectangular plate shape in which the shape at the time of completion of deployment is vertically extended. Yes. A storage portion 230 for storing and attaching the inflator 124 is disposed on the lower side of the column cover side wall portion 231. The storage unit 230 remains in the case 142 when the airbag 226 is deployed and inflated. The main body portion 227 other than the storage portion 230 of the airbag 226 protrudes from the case 142 when the airbag 226 is deployed and inflated. The storage portion 230 is formed with an insertion hole 230a through which the bolt 126b of the inflator 124 is inserted.

  In the case of the sixth embodiment, the main body 227 includes an upper part 228 and a lower part 229. The upper part 228 extends upward so as to cover the lower surface 9a side of the column cover 9 from the case 142, so that the driver D can be protected from the upper part of the knee to the vicinity of the thigh. The lower portion 229 extends downward from the case 142 so as to cover the inner side of the airbag cover 112 to protect the lower portion of the driver D's knee from the vicinity of the shin. As shown in FIGS. 55 and 56, the airbag 226 is housed in a case 142 with the upper part 228 and the lower part 229 being rolled.

  As shown in FIGS. 58 and 59, the upper portion 228 has a tether as a connecting means for connecting the column cover side wall portion 231 and the driver side wall portion 232 so that the thickness dimension at the time of expansion and expansion is constant. A plurality of 233 are arranged. In the case of the embodiment, the airbag 226 is provided with two tethers 233D and 233U, similarly to the tether 135 of the fourth embodiment. These tethers 233D and 233U have a constant thickness dimension when the upper portion 228 is expanded and inflated so that the upper portion 228 that expands and expands smoothly enters between the knee K of the driver D and the column cover lower surface 9a. Is arranged. Similar to the tether 135U of the fourth embodiment, the tether 233U is disposed along the vertical direction of the vehicle at the approximate center in the left-right direction from the center of the upper portion 228 to the vicinity of the upper end 228a.

  And tether 233D is arrange | positioned substantially parallel to the vehicle left-right direction in the vicinity of the accommodating part 230 in the upper part 228 similarly to tether 135D of 4th Embodiment. The tether 233D serves to partition the inside of the main body portion 227 of the airbag 226 into an upstream portion 227c and a downstream portion 227d of the inflation gas G. That is, the tether 233D divides the main body 227 into a lower-side upstream part 227c and an upper-side downstream part 227d. Furthermore, the tether 233D also plays a role as a gas flow regulating material. That is, the left and right end portions 233a and 233b of the tether 233D are disposed apart from the left and right edges 227a and 227b of the main body portion 227. Therefore, gas flow holes 227e and 227e are disposed between the end portions 233a and 233b and the edges 227a and 227b, respectively. Then, the expansion gas G is regulated by the tether 233D and flows to both sides in the left-right direction within the upstream portion 227c, and then flows to the downstream portion 227d through the gas flow holes 227e and 227e. Further, the position of the tether 233D is the same as the position of the tether 135D, in the main body portion 227 of the airbag 226, at a position where the tether 233D is detached from the airbag storage part (case 142) to the vehicle inner side when deployed and inflated. It is disposed at a position near the storage site.

  A description will be given of the mounting of the airbag device M6 on the vehicle. First, the airbag 226 is folded with the inflator 124 built-in. Each bolt 126b of the inflator 124 is protruded from the insertion hole 230a. A lead wire (not shown) extending from the main body 125 is put out from a predetermined insertion hole (not shown) in the airbag 226.

  The airbag 226 is folded by a vertical folding process and a horizontal folding process after the vertical folding process. In the vertical folding step, first, as shown in FIG. 60A, the column cover side wall portion 231 and the driver side wall portion 232 are overlapped and flattened. Then, as shown in FIG. 60B, the left and right edges 227a and 227b of the main body 227 are roll-folded so as to be wound toward the column cover side wall 231 side. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 60C, the roll-folded portion is placed on the driver side wall portion 232 on the vehicle rear side, and is folded so as to have substantially the same width as the lateral width of the case 142. Thereby, the vertical folding process is completed.

  In the horizontal folding step, as shown in FIG. 60D, the upper part 228 is folded so as to be rolled on the column cover side wall part 231 side from the upper end 228a, and the lower part 229 is rolled on the column cover side wall part 231 side from the lower end 229a. Fold it like a roll. Thereby, a horizontal folding process is completed.

  Then, after the airbag 226 is folded, the airbag 226 is wrapped with a wrapping film (not shown) that can be broken, and each bolt 126b is projected from the case 142 through the wrapping film. Next, a nut 127 is fastened to each protruding bolt 126b, and the folded airbag 226 and inflator 124 are housed in the case 142 to assemble the airbag assembly SA. In addition, a lead wire (not shown) extending from the inflator body 125 is taken out from the wrapping film and from a through hole (not shown) of the case 142.

  Then, the airbag assembly SA is fixed to the holding plate 117 using the flange portion 142d. Thereafter, both ends in the left-right direction of the holding plate 117 are fixed to the vehicle frame portions FC and FR arranged on the left and right using bolts, respectively. Then, if lead wires (not shown) are connected to the control circuit, and the upper panel 12 and the lower panel 13 (airbag cover 112) of the instrument panel 11 are mounted on the vehicle, the airbag device M6 is mounted on the vehicle as shown in FIG. can do.

  If a predetermined electrical signal is input to the inflator body 125 after the airbag device M6 is mounted on the vehicle, the inflation gas G is discharged from the gas discharge port 125a. The airbag 226 expands to break a wrapping film (not shown) and pushes and opens the door 114 (114A / 114B) of the airbag cover 112, so that the upper part 228 and the lower part 229 are connected to the column cover lower surface 9a and the air. Each expands and expands vertically along the surface of the bag cover 112.

  Specifically, the inflation gas G discharged from the gas discharge port 125a flows into the airbag 226, and the airbag 226 opens the doors 114A and 114B up and down as shown in FIG. As such, it expands and expands. At this time, in the airbag 226, the vicinity of the boundary portion between the upper portion 228 and the lower portion in the main body portion 227 protrudes once toward the vehicle rear side. And the upper part 228 and the lower part 229 are each folded so that it may roll. Therefore, at the time of deployment and inflation, as shown in FIGS. 61 and 62, the upper end 228a side of the upper portion 228 is deployed and inflated along the column cover lower surface 9a while unwinding the roll winding, and the lower end 229a side of the lower portion 229 is also air bag. It expands and expands along the surface of the cover 112. As a result, the protrusion of the airbag 226 in the knee K direction can be suppressed, and the pressing force of the driver D on the knee K can be suppressed low. Furthermore, even if the airbag 226 of the embodiment contacts the knee K of the driver D, the airbag 226 can be smoothly deployed so as to be unwound.

  In the airbag 226 of the sixth embodiment, the left and right edges 227a and 227b of the main body 227 are rolled around the vehicle front side. Therefore, at the time of expansion and expansion, the upper part 228 and the lower part 229 expand so as to spread in the left-right direction while unwinding the roll winding in the left-right direction.

  Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, a tether 233D is disposed in the vicinity of the storage portion 230 in the upper portion 228 so as to be substantially parallel to the vehicle left-right direction. Further, the expansion gas G flows into the upper portion 228 from the gas circulation holes 227e near the left and right ends 233a and 233b of the tether 233D. Therefore, the upper part 228 expands and expands so as to spread in the left-right direction in the initial stage of expansion. As a result, in the sixth embodiment, the airbag 226 can be further prevented from protruding in the knee K direction.

  As described above, in the airbag device M6 according to the sixth embodiment, the airbag 226 that is deployed and inflated is deployed so as to cover the lower surface 9a side of the column cover 9, and is deployed upward from the case 142, And a lower portion 229 that extends downward from the case 142. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 63, the upper part 228 of the airbag 226 covers from the upper part of the knee K of the driver D to the vicinity of the thigh T, and the lower part 229 of the airbag 226 covers the knee K of the driver D. It covers from the lower part to the vicinity of the shin L. As a result, the airbag 226 that has been deployed and inflated can accurately protect the knee K of the driver D over a wide range.

  Also in the sixth embodiment, the holding plate 117 to which the case 142 is fixed fixes both ends in the left-right direction to the vehicle frame portion FC / FR arranged on the left and right. Therefore, the airbag apparatus M6 is stably held by the frame part FC · FR. The airbag 226 that has been deployed and inflated is also stably supported by the holding plate 117. If these points are not taken into consideration, the holding plate 117 may not be disposed. That is, the case 142 may be connected and fixed to the portion of the steering column 3 where the column tube 5 does not move using the bracket 6 as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Of course, the case 142 may be fixed to both the bracket 6 and the holding plate 117. With such a configuration, the case 142 is fixed at two locations of the bracket 6 and the holding plate 117. Therefore, the airbag device M6 is held more stably.

  In the sixth embodiment, the axial direction O of the peripheral wall 142a of the case 142 is substantially parallel to the axial direction of the steering column 3. Therefore, when the airbag 226 is projected rearward along the column cover lower surface 9a, the airbag 226 (particularly the upper portion 228) is smoothly inserted between the column cover 9 and the knee K of the driver D. Can be invaded. As a result, the airbag 226 can more accurately protect the vicinity of the upper part of the knee K of the driver D.

  As described above, in the sixth embodiment, the same actions and effects as in the fourth embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, the airbag 226 extends the lower portion 229 downward, and protects the thigh T, knee K, and shin L of the driver D over a wide range. Can do.

  Further, as the airbag, an airbag 236 shown in FIGS. 64 and 65 may be used. Similar to the airbag 226 of the above-described embodiment, the airbag 236 includes a main body portion 237 and a storage portion 240, and the main body portion 237 includes an upper portion 238 and a lower portion 239. The storage portion 240 is formed with an insertion hole 240a through which the bolt 126b of the inflator 124 is inserted. And in the airbag 236, the baffle cloth 244 as a gas flow control material is arrange | positioned. The rectifying cloth 244 has a substantially cylindrical shape so as to cover the outer periphery of the inflator 124. The rectifying cloth 244 is provided with openings 244a and 244a on both sides in the vehicle left-right direction. In the airbag 236, the upstream portion 245 of the inflation gas G is in the vicinity of the rectifying cloth 244, and the downstream portion 246 of the inflation gas G is located above the rectifying cloth 244 in the upper portion 238 and in the lower portion 239. It will be arrange | positioned in two places with the site | part of the downward side of the baffle cloth 244.

  In addition, tethers 243 (243D and 243U) for connecting the column cover side wall part 241 and the driver side wall part 242 to each other are arranged in the upper part 238 and the lower part 239, respectively. Each tether 243 is arranged at the center in the left-right direction along the vehicle vertical direction.

  The airbag 236 is folded in the same manner as the airbag 226 and stored in the case 142. When the airbag 236 is deployed and inflated, the inflation gas G discharged from the inflator 124 flows out from the openings 244a and 244a of the flow straightening cloth 244 to the left and right sides as shown in FIG. Therefore, the inflation gas G discharged from the inflator 124 can be prevented from flowing directly into the upper part 238 and the lower part 239. The expansion gas G flows from the left and right edges 237a and 237b of the main body 237 to the upper end 238a of the upper portion 238 and the lower end 239a of the lower portion 239. As a result, the upper and lower portions 238 and 239 expand and expand in a state where the vicinity of the rectifying cloth 244 of the main body portion 237a expands in the left-right direction. That is, the upper part 238 and the lower part 239 are expanded and inflated so as to suppress the protrusion to the driver D side and widen the width in the left-right direction in the initial stage of inflation, and thus the thigh T and knee K of the driver D And the shin L can be accurately protected.

  Next, a knee protecting airbag device M7 of the seventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 67 and 68 will be described. The airbag device M7 is disposed below the steering column 3 and below the column cover 9. The airbag device M7 includes an airbag 326, an inflator 321, a case 319 that accommodates the airbag 326 and the inflator 321, and an airbag cover 312.

  The steering column 3, the column cover 9, and the instrument panel 11 are the same as those in the fourth to sixth embodiments, and the same reference numerals as those in the respective embodiments are attached to the respective portions, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The case 319 is made of sheet metal and includes a peripheral wall portion 319a having a substantially rectangular tube shape, and a bottom wall portion 319b having a substantially rectangular shape that closes the upper front side of the vehicle in the peripheral wall portion 319a. Further, the lower rear direction side of the vehicle in the peripheral wall portion 319a is an opening 319c. In the case 319, the flange portion 319d at the periphery of the opening 319c is fixed to the vehicle frame portions FC and FR disposed on the left and right sides of the steering column 3 using bolts.

  As in the embodiments, the inflator 321 includes a cylinder-type main body 322 and two bracket portions 323 and 323, as shown in FIGS. The main body 322 includes a gas discharge port 322a that discharges an expansion gas. The main body 322 operates simultaneously with an unillustrated airbag device mounted on the steering wheel 1. Each bracket portion 323 includes a sheet metal holding ring 323a capable of sandwiching the main body 322, and a bolt 323b protruding from the holding ring 323a.

  The inflator 321 is assembled with the bracket portions 323 and 323 on the main body 322, wrapped in the airbag 326, and stored in the case 319. The nut 324 is fastened to each bolt 323 b protruding from the case 319, and the inflator 321 is attached and fixed to the case 319. The main body 322 is connected to a lead wire (not shown).

  The airbag cover 312 includes an airbag cover main body 313 and a door 314. The door portion 314 is formed integrally with the airbag cover main body portion 313 and covers the vehicle lower side near the opening 319c in the case 319. In the case of the seventh embodiment, as in the fourth to sixth embodiments, the airbag cover body 313 is formed integrally with the lower panel 13 of the instrument panel 11 as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 68, the door portion 314 is disposed at the approximate center in the vertical direction of the airbag cover main body portion 313 below the column cover 9. The door part 314 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the inside of the vehicle. Around the door portion 314, a thin-walled planned break portion 315 having a substantially inverted U shape when viewed from the vehicle inner side is disposed. A thin hinge 316 made of an integral hinge is formed on the lower end side of the door 314. Therefore, when the door portion 314 is pushed by the airbag 326, the door portion 314 opens downward with the hinge portion 316 as a rotation center.

  The airbag 326 is made of a woven fabric such as flexible polyester or polyamide. The airbag 326 has a substantially rectangular plate shape that can cover the lower surface 9a side of the column cover 9, as shown in FIGS. The airbag 326 includes a column cover side wall portion 327 on the upper surface side and a driver side wall portion 328 on the lower surface side that are opposed to each other in the thickness direction. An insertion hole 327 a for inserting each bolt 323 b of the inflator 321 is formed on the lower end 326 b side of the column cover side wall portion 327.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 70, the airbag 326 is a connecting means for connecting the column cover side wall portion 327 and the driver side wall portion 328 to each other so that the thickness dimension is substantially constant and the substantially plate shape can be maintained. A plurality (two in the embodiment) of tethers 329 are arranged. The tether 329 (329U / 329D) is formed of a flexible material like the airbag 326. These tethers 329U and 329D are arranged above and below substantially parallel to the vehicle left-right direction.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 70, the connection portion Ud of the upper side (vehicle rear side) tether 329U with the driver side wall portion 328 interferes with the knee K of the driver D in the airbag 326 when deployment is completed. It arrange | positions from the site | part 326h in the upstream (the side close | similar to the inflator 321) of the gas G for expansion | swelling. Further, the connection portion Ud of the tether 329U with the driver side wall portion 328 is connected to the lower side (upstream side of the inflation gas G) than the connection portion Uc with the column cover side wall portion 327 of the tether 329U.

  Therefore, when the airbag 326 is deployed and inflated, the interference portion 326h disposed on the upper side of the tether 329U is set so as to increase the thickness as much as possible, and exhibits a high cushioning action (see FIG. 71). Further, even if the portion 326h enters the concave portion 2, before the interference with the knee K, the driver side wall portion 328 of the interference portion 326h has a smooth curved surface from the lower side without causing unevenness. , Will be placed. The recessed portion 2 is a portion that is recessed upward from the vicinity of the rear end 9d of the column cover lower surface 9a to the lower cover 1a at the center of the steering wheel 1.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 71, the lower tether 329D is disposed at a position in the airbag 326 that is separated from the airbag storage part (case 319) toward the vehicle interior when deployed and inflated. It is disposed at a position near the storage site.

  The interference portion 326h on the upper end (front end) 326a side of the airbag 326 has a thickness dimension larger than that of other portions when deployment and inflation are completed. However, the amount of inflow of the inflation gas G is small on the upper end 326a side of the airbag in the deployment and inflation process. Therefore, the upper end 326a side of the airbag smoothly enters between the knee K of the driver D and the column cover lower surface 9a before the completion of deployment and inflation.

  Further, the tether 329D serves to partition the inside of the airbag 326 into an upstream portion 331 and a downstream portion 332 of the inflation gas G. That is, the tether 329D partitions the airbag 326 into a lower upstream portion 331 and an upper downstream portion 332.

  Further, the tether 329D also serves as a gas flow regulating material. That is, the left and right end portions 329a and 329b of the tether 329D are disposed apart from the left and right edges 326e and 326g of the airbag 326. Therefore, gas flow holes 333 and 333 are disposed between the end portions 329a and 329b and the edges 326e and 326g, respectively. Then, the expansion gas G is regulated by the tether 329D, and flows to both sides in the left-right direction within the upstream portion 331, and then flows to the downstream portion 332 through the gas circulation holes 333 and 333.

  The mounting of the airbag device M7 of the seventh embodiment on a vehicle will be described. First, the airbag 326 is folded with the inflator 321 built therein. Each bolt 323b of the inflator 321 is projected from the insertion hole 327a. Further, a lead wire (not shown) extending from the inflator body 322 is put out from a predetermined insertion hole (not shown) of the airbag 326.

  The airbag 326 is folded through a vertical folding process and a horizontal folding process, as in FIG. At the end of the vertical folding step, the folded portions of the left and right end portions 326d and 326f are placed on the driver side wall portion 328 side in the central portion 326c. In the horizontal folding step, the upper end 326a side is roll-folded so as to be wound around the column cover side wall portion 327 side.

  After folding, the airbag 326 is wrapped with a wrapping film (not shown) that can be broken, and the bolts 323b protrude from the wrapping film. When the airbag 326 and the inflator 321 are housed in the case 319, the bolts 323b are protruded from the case 319, and the nuts 324 are fastened to the protruding bolts 323b, so that the airbag 326, the inflator 321, In addition, the airbag assembly SA in which the case 319 is integrally assembled can be formed.

  A lead wire (not shown) extending from the inflator main body 322 is taken out from the wrapping film and from a not-shown insertion opening (not shown) of the case 319.

  The airbag assembly SA is mounted on the vehicle by using bolts to connect the flange portion 319d of the case 319 to the frame portion FC • FR on the body B side on both the left and right sides of the steering column 3. A lead wire (not shown) is connected to the control circuit. Furthermore, if the upper panel 12 and the lower panel 13 of the instrument panel 11 are mounted on the vehicle, the airbag device M7 can be mounted on the vehicle.

  Then, after the airbag device M7 is mounted on the vehicle, if a predetermined electrical signal is input to the inflator body 322, the inflation gas is discharged from the gas discharge port 322a. Then, the airbag 326 expands, breaks a wrapping film (not shown), pushes and opens the door portion 314 of the airbag cover 312, and expands and expands while rising along the column cover lower surface 9 a. As shown in FIG. 71, the airbag 326 that has been deployed and inflated protects the knee K of the driver D.

  In the airbag device M7 of the seventh embodiment, the same actions and effects as those of the fourth embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 71, the tethers 329U and 329D as the thickness regulating means are from the interference part 326h with the knee K of the driver D in the airbag 326 when the inflation and inflation are completed. The gas G for expansion is arranged on the upstream side. In such a configuration, when the deployment and inflation are completed, the interference part 326h of the airbag 326 with the driver K's knee K can be made thicker than the arrangement part of the tethers 329U and 329D. Therefore, the airbag 326 that has been deployed and inflated can effectively protect the knee K of the driver D by the thickened portion 326h.

  Further, in the airbag 326 at the time of completion of deployment, the portion 326i disposed on the front side of the shin L below the knee of the driver D is disposed with the tethers 329U and 329D, and the thickness thereof is regulated. Therefore, the airbag 326 at the completion of the deployment and inflation does not press the shin L unnecessarily.

  In the seventh embodiment, the axial direction toward the opening 319c of the peripheral wall portion 319a of the case 319 does not follow the steering column 3 or the column cover lower surface 9a in the diagonally downward direction of the rearward downward. Therefore, at the initial stage of deployment and inflation of the airbag 326, the roll-folded portion tends to protrude from the case 319 toward the obliquely downward direction from the substantially horizontal direction on the vehicle rear side.

  However, when the door 314 of the airbag cover 312 is opened downward and pushed by the airbag 326 that is inflated and expanded, it opens from the upper end 314a side. Therefore, the airbag 326 that is deployed and inflated protrudes from the upper side (vehicle rear side) of the opening area OA that the door portion 314 opens when the door portion 314 opens. That is, the airbag 326 that is inflated and inflated easily protrudes upward. Further, the airbag 326 itself is roll-folded so that the upper end 326a is wound around the column cover side wall portion 327 in the lateral folding step. Therefore, if the airbag 326 is released from the roll folding in the subsequent deployment and inflation process, the airbag 326 smoothly rises along the column cover lower surface 9a. As a result, in the subsequent deployment and inflation process, the airbag 326 smoothly enters the narrow space between the knee K of the driver D and the column cover lower surface 9a.

  In the seventh embodiment, the case where the knee protecting airbag device M7 is disposed in the lower panel 13 below the steering column 3 is shown. However, if the airbag that is deployed and inflated is deployed and inflated along the column cover lower surface 9a and can enter smoothly between the knee K of the driver D and the column cover lower surface 9a, FIG. As shown, the knee protecting airbag device M8 may be disposed in the column cover 9A below the steering column 3.

  In the airbag apparatus M8, the airbag cover 312 is integrally formed with the column cover 9A on the lower end side of the column cover 9A. A door portion 314 is disposed on the airbag cover 312. The door part 314 has a to-be-breakable part 315 having an inverted U shape when viewed from the inside of the vehicle, and has a hinge part 316 on the lower end side. Therefore, when the door 314 is pushed and opened by the airbag 326, the door 314 is opened by opening downward so as to break the breakable portion 315 and rotate the upper end 314a downward.

  The case 319 </ b> A is connected and fixed to a portion of the steering column 3 where the column tube 5 does not move using the bracket 6, the bolt 323 b of the inflator 321, and the nut 324.

  The inflator 321, the airbag 326, and the airbag folding process are the same as those in the seventh embodiment.

  In the eighth embodiment as well, if the airbag 326 is deployed and inflated, the same actions and effects as in the seventh embodiment can be obtained. An airbag cover 312 is formed integrally with the lower cover 9A. Therefore, even if the knee protecting airbag device M8 is mounted on the vehicle, the appearance near the column cover 9A is not deteriorated.

  Further, in the eighth embodiment, as in the seventh embodiment, the door portion 314 of the airbag cover 312 is configured to break and open the planned break portion 315 disposed on the periphery. That is, the appearance of the door portion 314 of the airbag cover 312 can be made to match the appearance of the airbag cover main body portion (general portion) 313 around the door portion 314. Therefore, the appearance design of the airbag cover 312 is improved.

  Next, a knee protecting airbag device M9 according to a ninth embodiment shown in FIGS. The airbag apparatus M9 is also disposed below the column cover 9 that is a position below the steering column 3 as in the embodiments. The airbag apparatus M9 includes an airbag 26, an inflator 21, a case 419, and an airbag cover 412 that covers the vehicle rear side of the case 419.

  The steering column 3, the column cover 9, the instrument panel 11, and their respective parts are the same as those of the respective embodiments, and the same reference numerals as those of the respective embodiments are given, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Moreover, the inflator 21, the airbag 26, and each part thereof are also the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are given, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The case 419 is made of sheet metal, and includes a substantially rectangular tubular peripheral wall portion 419a and a substantially rectangular bottom wall portion 419b that closes the vehicle front side of the peripheral wall portion 419a. The case 419 is connected and fixed to the portion of the steering column 3 where the column tube 5 does not move using the bracket 6. Moreover, the vehicle rear side of the surrounding wall part 419a is made into the opening 419c. Similar to the first embodiment, the case 419 has an axial direction of the peripheral wall portion 419a so that the airbag 26 protrudes along the lower surface 9a of the column cover 9 when the stored airbag 26 protrudes from the case 419. O is disposed along the column cover lower surface 9a (along the axial direction of the steering column 3).

  The airbag cover 412 includes an airbag cover main body 413 and a door 414. The door portion 414 is formed integrally with the main body portion 413 and is disposed so as to cover the vehicle rear side in the vicinity of the opening 419c in the case 419. 74 to 76, the airbag cover main body 413 is formed integrally with the lower panel 13 of the instrument panel 11, and is fixed to the vehicle frame at a position not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 76, the door portion 414 is disposed at a substantially vertical center of the airbag cover main body 413 below the column cover 9 and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the vehicle interior side. And the door part 414 is arrange | positioned in the circumference | surroundings at the circumference | surroundings by the thin fracture | rupture scheduled part 415 used as a substantially reverse U shape seeing from the vehicle inside. Moreover, the door part 414 is made into the shape which curves in a downward bulge from the upper end 414a side to the downward direction so that it may protrude toward the vehicle rear side of diagonally downward, in the longitudinal cross-sectional shape. And the door part 414 is comprised so that the thin hinge part 416 which consists of an integral hinge may be arrange | positioned in the lower end side, and it may open downward. As shown in FIGS. 74 and 75, the hinge portion 416 is closer to the vehicle front side than the upper end 414a of the door portion 414, and as shown in FIGS. 74 to 76, the hinge portion 416 is closer to the vehicle front side than the lower edge 419d of the case opening 419c. It arrange | positions so that it may be located under the side.

  The mounting of the airbag device M9 on the vehicle is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the inflator 21 is built in the airbag 26, and the airbag 26 is folded through a predetermined vertical folding process and a roll folding horizontal folding process as described in the fourth embodiment. Thereafter, the airbag 26 is wrapped with a wrapping film (not shown) that can be broken, and each bolt 23b is projected from the wrapping film. Further, the airbag 26 is housed in the case 419, the bolts 23b are protruded from the case 419, and a thin spring spring nut (not shown) is assembled to the protruding bolts 23b. 419 is formed.

  If the airbag assembly SA is fixed to the bracket 6 using the nut 24 and the instrument panel 11 and the airbag cover 412 are mounted on the vehicle, the airbag device M9 can be mounted on the vehicle.

  If the inflation gas is discharged from the gas discharge port 22a of the inflator body 22 after the airbag device M9 is mounted on the vehicle, the airbag 26 expands and breaks a wrapping film (not shown) and the airbag cover 412. The door portion 414 is pushed open to expand and expand along the column cover lower surface 9a (see FIG. 77).

  At this time, in the ninth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 75, the hinge portion 416 on the lower end side of the door portion 414 is located on the vehicle front side with respect to the upper end 414 a of the door portion 414. In particular, in the case of the embodiment, the hinge portion 416 is disposed further to the vehicle front side than the lower edge 419d of the case opening 419c. In such a configuration, as compared with the comparative example, the amount of protrusion of the door portion 414 that opens when the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated to the vehicle rear side can be suppressed, and the airbag 26 can be deployed and inflated smoothly. The comparative example is a case where the door portion is arranged along the substantially vertical direction in a state in which the opening area OA of the airbag cover 412 necessary for the deployment and inflation of the airbag 26 can be secured (that is, in the comparative example). The door portion is a door portion disposed at the position of the dimension line w12). Moreover, the door part of the comparative example also has a hinge part disposed at the lower end of the door part.

  In the door portion 414 of the ninth embodiment, since the hinge portion 416 is located on the front side, the width dimension w11 in the vertical direction along the door portion 414 of the door portion 414 itself is the vertical direction of the door portion in the comparative example. It becomes larger than the width dimension w12. As a result, in the door part 414, the opening angle θ1 of the door part 414 can be reduced. The opening angle θ <b> 1 is an opening angle of the door portion 414 when the opening area OA of the airbag cover 412 necessary for deploying and inflating the airbag 26 can be secured. On the other hand, the door part of the comparative example is arranged at a position where the hinge part is substantially the same as the upper end of the door part in the vehicle front-rear direction. Therefore, in the comparative example, in order to secure the opening area OA of the airbag cover 412 necessary for the deployment and inflation of the airbag 26, the door portion is opened by increasing the opening angle θ2 along the substantially horizontal direction. There is a need. However, in the door part 414 of 9th Embodiment, it is the structure which arrange | positions the hinge part 416 of a lower end side ahead of a vehicle rather than the door part upper end 414a. Therefore, in the door part 414, the width dimension w11 in the vertical direction along the door part 414 of the door part itself (becomes a turning radius when the door part 414 is opened) increases. As a result, in the door part 414, even if the opening angle θ1 of the door part is small, the opening area OA of the airbag cover 412 necessary for the deployment and inflation of the airbag 26 can be easily secured. And in the door part 414 of embodiment, since opening angle (theta) 1 is small, compared with the door part of a comparative example, it becomes possible to make the protrusion width | variety to the vehicle rear side in the horizontal direction at the time of opening small. That is, as compared with the comparative example in which the door portion is arranged along the vertical direction, in the configuration of the embodiment, the upper end 414a of the door portion 414, that is, the end portion (rear end portion) that becomes the driver side when opened. The projecting width of 414a toward the vehicle rear side in the horizontal direction can be reduced. In other words, in the door portion 414 of the embodiment, it is possible to suppress the protrusion to the vehicle rear side in the horizontal direction when opening. Incidentally, in the door portion of the comparative example, the upper end when opened is arranged at the position H in FIG. 75, and in the door portion 414 of the embodiment, the upper end 414a when opened is closer to the vehicle front side than the H position. Become.

  As a result, in the door portion 414 of the ninth embodiment, the airbag 26 can be smoothly deployed and inflated while suppressing the amount of protrusion to the vehicle rear side when the airbag 26 is opened when the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated.

  Also in the airbag device M9, the door 414 is opened downward, and is opened from the upper end 414a side when pushed by the airbag 26 that is inflated and inflated. Therefore, the airbag 26 that is deployed and inflated projects from the upper side of the opening area OA when the door portion 414 is opened. As a result, in the airbag apparatus M9, the airbag 26 that is deployed and inflated easily protrudes upward, and is smoothly deployed and inflated along the column cover lower surface 9a side.

  In the ninth embodiment, the door portion 414 is formed so as to bend in a downward bulge from the upper end 414a side downward so as to protrude obliquely downward to the vehicle rear side. However, the door portion 414 is not limited to the above-described shape, and the door portion 414 may be disposed so that the hinge portion 416 is positioned on the vehicle front side with respect to the upper end 414a. Specifically, like the door portion 16A in the airbag apparatus M3 of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 to 26, the door portions 16 and 414 have a substantially flat plate shape and extend downward from the upper end side to the vehicle front side. It is good also as a structure arrange | positioned diagonally downward. Further, the door 414 has a flat plate shape and is arranged along the vertical direction from the upper end 414a to the vicinity of the lower edge 419d of the case opening 419c, and further from the vicinity of the lower edge 419d of the case opening 419c toward the vehicle front side. Alternatively, it may be formed in a shape that is inclined obliquely downward.

  However, the door portion 414 is preferably arranged in a curved manner from the viewpoint of space saving. Further, if the distance between the hinge portion 416 and the upper end 414a in the vehicle front-rear direction is increased, the protrusion of the upper end 414a of the door portion 414 to the vehicle rear side can be further suppressed. Therefore, as in the ninth embodiment, the door portion 414 is curved and arranged to bulge downward from the upper end 416a side so as to protrude toward the vehicle rear side obliquely below, and It is preferable that the hinge portion 416 is disposed on the vehicle front side with respect to the lower edge 419d of the case opening 419c.

  Next, a knee protecting airbag device M10 of the tenth embodiment shown in FIGS. 78 to 80 will be described. As shown in FIG. 78, the airbag apparatus M10 has the same configuration as that of the airbag apparatus M9 of the ninth embodiment described above except for the airbag cover 433. Is omitted.

  The airbag cover 433 includes an airbag cover main body portion 434 and a door portion 435, as in the ninth embodiment. The door portion 435 is formed integrally with the airbag cover main body portion 434. Moreover, the door part 435 is arrange | positioned so that the vehicle rear side of opening 419c vicinity in case 419 may be covered. The airbag cover main body 434 and the door 435 have a flat plate shape as shown in FIGS. Further, the airbag cover main body 434 and the door 435 are inclined and arranged on the lower side of the column cover 9 so as to go from the upper end side to the lower side toward the vehicle front side. Similarly to the door portion 414 of the ninth embodiment, the door portion 435 is disposed at a substantially center in the vertical direction of the airbag cover main body portion 434 and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the vehicle interior side. As shown in FIG. 80, the door portion 435 has a width dimension w14 in the left-right direction that is larger than the width dimension w13 in the left-right direction of the case 419. Similarly to the ninth embodiment, the door portion 435 is provided with a thin planned break portion 436 that has a substantially inverted U shape when viewed from the inside of the vehicle. Further, the door portion 435 is opened downward by disposing a thin hinge portion 437 on the lower end side.

  A link mechanism 439 is disposed in the vicinity of both left and right edges of the door portion 435. Each link mechanism 439 is an angle regulating unit that couples the case peripheral wall portion 419 a and the door portion 435 to regulate the opening angle of the door portion 435. Each link mechanism 439 is composed of two long plate-like links 440A and 440B as shown in FIGS. The links 440A and 440B are connected to each other by pins 441 so that the end portions 440b and 440a can rotate. Further, the end portion 440a of each link 440A is pivotally attached to the left and right outer sides of the case peripheral wall portion 419b, and the end portion 440b of each link 440B is pivotally attached to the side surface side of the case 419 in the door portion 435. . When the door portion 435 is closed, the links 440A and 440B are bent into a V shape, and when the door portion 435 is opened, each link mechanism 439 widens the crossing angle between the links 440A and 440B. 440B is linear.

  In the tenth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 79, the predetermined opening angle of the door portion 435 is maintained in a state where the links 440A and 440B of the link mechanisms 439 are linear. The predetermined opening angle of the door portion 435 is an angle at which the opened door portion 435 can secure the opening area OA necessary for the deployment and inflation of the airbag 26. Then, in the state where the links 440A and 440B of the link mechanism 439 are linear, the door portion 435 is restricted from opening beyond that angle.

  In such a configuration, when the door portion 435 is pushed open by the airbag 26 that is deployed and inflated, the door portion 435 is opened by the link mechanism 439 as the angle regulating means, so that the opening area OA necessary for the deployment and inflation of the airbag 26 is achieved. The opening is maintained at an opening angle that secures. In addition, the door 435 is restricted from opening beyond its opening angle by the link mechanism 439. Therefore, the position of the upper end 435a of the door portion 435 when the airbag 26 is deployed and expanded, that is, the position of the end portion (rear end portion) 435a that becomes the driver side when the airbag 26 is opened is restricted. As a result, the door part 435 can suppress the protrusion to the vehicle rear side in the horizontal direction as compared with the case where the door part where the link mechanism 439 is not disposed is used. Of course, the door portion 435 is regulated by the link mechanism 439 at a position where the opening area OA necessary for the deployment and inflation of the airbag 26 can be secured. Therefore, the open door 435 can smoothly inflate and inflate the airbag 26 without interfering with the airbag 26.

  Therefore, in the airbag apparatus M10, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and further, the amount of protrusion of the door portion 435 that opens when the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated to the vehicle rear side can be suppressed. Thus, the airbag 26 can be smoothly deployed and inflated.

  Moreover, in the airbag apparatus M10, the door part 435 opens from the upper end 435a side like the above-mentioned airbag apparatus M9. Therefore, the airbag 26 that is deployed and inflated protrudes from the upper side of the opening area OA when the door portion 435 is opened. As a result, in the airbag apparatus M10, as in the airbag apparatus M9, the airbag 26 that is deployed and inflated easily protrudes upward, and is smoothly deployed and inflated along the column cover lower surface 9a side. Further, the door portion 435 is in a state in which the opening angle is restricted by the angle restricting means, and the airbag 26 has a surface 435b on the airbag side of the door portion 435 protruding along the column cover lower surface 9a. It is also possible to guide.

  The angle restricting means is not limited to the link mechanism 439 described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 81, a belt-like or string-like tether 444 may be arranged. The tether 444 is formed from a flexible material such as cloth, and connects the case 419 and the door portion 435. The length of the tether 444 is set to a length that can maintain an opening angle that secures an opening area OA necessary for the deployment and inflation of the airbag 26 and that can regulate the opening beyond the opening angle. . When the door portion 435 is closed, the tether 444 is housed in a state of being bent toward the vehicle front side in the vicinity of both left and right edges of the door portion 435.

  Next, the knee protecting airbag device M11 of the eleventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 82 and 83 will be described. In this airbag apparatus M11, as shown in FIG. 82, parts other than the airbag cover 447 have the same configuration as that of the airbag apparatus M9 according to the ninth embodiment, and are described with the same reference numerals. Is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 82, the airbag cover 447 includes an airbag cover main body portion 448 and a door portion 449 similarly to the above-described airbag devices M9 and M10. The door portion 449 is formed integrally with the airbag cover main body portion 448 and is disposed so as to cover the vehicle rear side in the vicinity of the opening 419c in the case 419. The airbag cover main body portion 448 and the door portion 449 are formed in a flat plate shape, similar to the airbag device M10 described above, and obliquely downward toward the vehicle front side from the upper end side to the lower side on the lower side of the column cover 9. Inclined.

  Similarly to the airbag devices M9 and M10 described above, the door portion 449 is disposed substantially at the center in the vertical direction of the airbag cover main body portion 448 and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the vehicle interior side. Around the door portion 449, a thin-walled portion to be broken 450 having a substantially inverted U shape when viewed from the vehicle inner side is disposed. The door portion 449 is configured to be opened downward by disposing a thin lower end hinge portion 451 on the lower end side. In addition, an auxiliary hinge portion 452 made of a thin integral hinge is disposed at a substantially intermediate position in the vertical direction between the lower end side hinge portion 451 and the door portion upper end 449a. The auxiliary hinge portion 452 is disposed over the entire length of the door portion 449 in the left-right direction. The auxiliary hinge portion 452 can open a portion on the upper side of the auxiliary hinge portion 452, that is, the upper door portion 449b so as to open downward.

  In such a configuration, when the planned breakage portion 450 is broken by the airbag 26 that is inflated and inflated, and the door portion 449 is pushed open, it opens from the upper end 449a side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 83A, first, the auxiliary hinge portion 452 is bent, and the upper door portion 449b disposed on the upper side of the auxiliary hinge portion 452 is opened by being opened downward. Next, as shown in FIG. 83B, the lower end side hinge portion 451 is bent, the lower side door portion 449 c arranged above the lower end side hinge portion 451 is opened, and the entire door portion 449 is opened.

  That is, when the door portion 449 is fully opened, the lower door portion 449c is opened in a state where the upper door portion 449b above the auxiliary hinge portion 452 is bent. Therefore, compared with the case where the door portion provided with only the lower end side hinge portion 451 is used, in this door portion 449, the substantial turning radius d1 from the lower end side hinge portion 451 to the door portion upper end 449a is reduced. Can do. Incidentally, the rotation radius of the door portion provided with only the lower end side hinge portion 451 becomes the width dimension w15 in the vertical direction along the door portion of the door portion itself, and is larger than the rotation radius d1. As a result, the door portion 449 suppresses the protrusion of the end portion 449a on the driver side toward the vehicle rear side in the horizontal direction when the opening portion OA necessary for deploying and inflating the airbag 26 is secured. Can do.

  Therefore, in the airbag device M11 of the eleventh embodiment, as in the ninth and tenth embodiments, the amount of protrusion of the door portion 449 that opens when the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated to the vehicle rear side can be suppressed. The airbag 26 can be smoothly deployed and inflated.

  Also in the airbag device M11, the door portion 449 is opened downward as in the airbag devices M9 and M10 described above. Therefore, the airbag 26 that is inflated and inflated protrudes from the upper side of the opening area OA when the door portion 449 is opened. As a result, in the airbag apparatus M11, as in the airbag apparatuses M9 and M10, the airbag 26 that is deployed and inflated easily protrudes upward, and is smoothly deployed and inflated along the column cover lower surface 9a side. .

  Furthermore, in the airbag apparatus M11, if the bending strength of the auxiliary hinge portion 452 made of an integral hinge is set small, the following actions and effects can be obtained. That is, when the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated, even if the end portion 449a of the door portion 449 interferes with the driver's knee, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Pushed to the knee. Therefore, the door portion 449 can be bent toward the vehicle front side by the auxiliary hinge portion 452. Therefore, the airbag device M11 can protect the driver's knee more accurately.

  In the airbag apparatus M11, one auxiliary hinge portion 452 is disposed. However, two or more auxiliary hinge portions 452 may be arranged. Moreover, you may change suitably the thickness of a fracture | rupture planned part so that the door part 449 may open easily from the upper end 449a side. Specifically, the planned fracture portion disposed on the side of the upper door portion 449b is formed thinner than the planned fracture portion disposed on the side of the lower door portion 449c. Further, the portion to be broken arranged near the upper end 449a of the upper door portion 449b is formed to be thinner than the portion to be broken arranged on the side of the upper door portion 449b. In such a structure, it is easy to fracture | rupture, as the planned fracture part arranged on the upper side. As a result, the door portion 449 is smoothly opened from the upper end 449a side when being pushed by the airbag 26 that is deployed and inflated.

  Next, a knee protecting airbag device M12 of the twelfth embodiment shown in FIG. 84 will be described. The airbag device M12 has the same configuration as that of the airbag device M9 of the ninth embodiment except for the airbag cover 456, and the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  The airbag cover 456 includes an airbag cover main body portion 457 and a door portion 458 similarly to the airbag devices M9, M10, and M11 described above. The door portion 458 is formed integrally with the airbag cover main body portion 457, and is disposed so as to cover the vehicle rear side near the opening 419c in the case 419. The airbag cover main body portion 457 and the door portion 458 are formed in a flat plate shape, like the above-described airbag devices M10 and M11, on the lower side of the column cover 9 from the upper end side to the lower side, toward the vehicle front side. It is inclined diagonally downward. The door portion 458 is disposed substantially at the center in the vertical direction of the airbag cover main body portion 457 and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the vehicle interior, similarly to the airbag devices M9, M10, and M11 described above.

  And the lower end 458a of the door part 458 is arrange | positioned rather than the lower edge 419d of case opening 419c. That is, the width dimension w16 in the vertical direction along the door part 458 of the door part 458 itself is smaller than the width dimension w17 in the vertical direction along the opening 419c in the case opening 419c. Further, around the door portion 458, similarly to the airbag devices M <b> 9, M <b> 10, and M <b> 11 described above, a thin planned break portion 459 having a substantially inverted U shape when viewed from the inside of the vehicle is disposed. And the door part 458 is set so that the thin hinge part 460 may be arrange | positioned by the lower end 458a side, and it may open downward. The lower side of the case opening 419c is covered with an airbag cover main body 457.

  If the airbag cover 456 has such a configuration, the vertical width dimension w16 along the door section 458 of the door section 458 itself is greater than the vertical width dimension w17 along the opening 419c in the opening 419c of the case 419. ,small. Therefore, in comparison with the case where a door portion whose vertical width dimension is substantially the same as the vertical width dimension of the case opening 419c is disposed, the door portion 458 has the door portion 458 when the airbag 26 is inflated. The protrusion of the upper end 458b, that is, the end 458b on the driver side when opened, toward the rear side of the vehicle in the horizontal direction can be suppressed.

  In the twelfth embodiment, the lower end 458a of the door portion 458 is disposed above the lower edge 419d of the case opening 419c, and the lower side of the case opening 419c is covered with the airbag cover main body 457. Yes. However, in this configuration, the case peripheral wall portion 419 a is arranged so that the axial direction O of the case column wall 419 a extends along the axial direction of the steering column 3, and the airbag 26 is located at a position below the column cover 9 from within the case 419. The vehicle expands and expands upward on the vehicle rear side along the lower surface 9a side of the vehicle. Therefore, even if the lower side of the case opening 419c is covered by the airbag cover main body 457, the airbag 26 that is deployed and inflated passes through the upper side of the case opening 419c. The airbag 26 protrudes from the case 419 and is smoothly expanded and inflated while suppressing interference with the airbag cover main body 457 as much as possible.

  Therefore, even in the airbag apparatus M12 of the twelfth embodiment, as in the ninth to eleventh embodiments, the amount of protrusion of the door portion 458 that opens when the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated to the vehicle rear side can be suppressed. The airbag 26 can be smoothly deployed and inflated.

  In the airbag apparatus M12, the door portion 458 is set to be opened downward by disposing the hinge portion 460 on the lower end 458a side. However, the opening direction of the door part 458 is not restricted to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 85, a hinge portion 460 may be arranged on the upper end 458b side of the door portion 458 so that the door portion 458 is opened upward.

  In the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth embodiments, the airbag cover main body portions 413, 434, 448, and 457 and the door portions 414, 435, 449, and 458 are integrally formed. However, as the airbag cover 463, as shown in FIGS. 86 to 88, the airbag cover main body 464 and the door 465 may be formed separately.

  86 to 88, for example, one end of the door portion 465 and the airbag cover main body portion 464 are connected by a hinge (not shown) such as a hinge.

  Then, the engaging means 466 may be disposed on the end portion 465a (upper end portion in the illustrated example) of the door portion 465 that is separated from the hinge in the vertical direction. The engagement means 466 is engaged with the airbag cover main body 464 and maintains the closed state of the door 465.

  86 includes a concave portion 464a and a convex portion 465b. The recess 464a is provided on the case 419 side at the end of the airbag cover main body 464. The convex portion 465b is provided at the end portion 465a of the door portion 465 so that the convex portion 465b can be fitted into the concave portion 464a.

  87 includes an engagement plate 468 and an engagement protrusion 469. The engagement means 466 shown in FIG. The engagement protrusion 469 is disposed in the vicinity of the end 465a of the door 465 so as to protrude toward the case 419. The engagement plate 468 is disposed on the case 419 side of the airbag cover main body 464, and includes an engagement hole 468a with which the engagement protrusion 469 can be engaged.

  88 includes an engaging plate 468 and a locking claw portion 470. The engaging means 466 shown in FIG. The locking claw portion 470 is configured to protrude toward the case 419 near the end 465a of the door portion 465 and to be locked to the engagement receiving portion 468b of the engagement plate 468.

  In any case, the engaging means 466 can be easily released when the airbag 26 is deployed and inflated to push open the door portion 465.

  The airbag covers 412, 433, 447, and 456 themselves may be formed integrally with the lower panel 13 and the lower cover 9A of the instrument panel 11, or may be formed separately from the lower panel 13 and the lower cover 9A. . Such a configuration is not limited to the case where the airbag cover main body portion and the door portion are integrally formed, and the same applies to the case where they are formed separately. However, when formed integrally, the appearance design can be improved.

  Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which arrange | positions the angle control member (Link mechanism 439 and tether 444) arrange | positioned at the airbag apparatus M10 to the airbag apparatuses M9, M11, and M12. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which arrange | positions an auxiliary hinge part like the airbag apparatus M11 in the door part 414 of the airbag apparatus M9.

  Further, when the door portion 465 of the airbag cover 463 is formed as a separate body, it may be configured as a knee protecting airbag device M13 of the thirteenth embodiment shown in FIGS. This airbag apparatus M13 is substantially the same as each part of 10th Embodiment which FIGS. However, in the tenth embodiment, the door portion 465 of the airbag cover 463 is formed separately from the main body portion 464, and a clip 530 is used instead of the angle regulating member of the door portion 465. Is different. Therefore, the inflator 21, the airbag 26, the case 419, and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the tenth embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

  The clip 530 is disposed in the vicinity of both left and right edges of the door portion 465. Each clip 530 is inserted into the locking hole 508 of the bracket 507 and locked to the bracket 507. The bracket 507 is fixed to the left and right sides of the case 419. Further, the case 419 is provided with a stopper 510 on the extension line of the clip 530 locked to each bracket 507. The stopper 510 is attached to brackets 509 fixed to the left and right side surfaces of the case 419. A nut 509a is fixed to each bracket 509, and a stopper 510 is screwed into each nut 509a. The stopper 510 is removed when the door portion 465 is removed for maintenance or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 89 to 93, each clip 530 includes a locking core material portion 531 and a cap 541 that is externally mounted on the locking core material portion 531.

  The locking core member 531 is made of a metal such as a steel rod having rigidity, and includes a connecting part 532, a large diameter part 533, a neck part 534, and a head part 535. The connection part 532 is embedded in the door part 465 as a disk shape, and is connected with the door part 465. The large-diameter portion 533 has a columnar shape that continues to the connecting portion 532, and the neck portion 534 projects from the end surface of the large-diameter portion 533 in a columnar shape with a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion 533. The head 535 is connected to the tip 534 a of the neck 534 and has a larger outer diameter than the neck 534. The head 535 includes tapered portions 535a and 535b. The tapered portion 535b is disposed on the base portion side and extends toward the distal end side. The tapered portion 535a is disposed on the distal end side and narrows toward the distal end side.

  The cap 541 is made of an elastically deformable synthetic resin such as polyamide (66 nylon) or an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, rubber, or the like. The cap 541 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the tip side is tapered with a thick wall. 89, 90, 92 to 94, the cap 541 covers from the vicinity of the large-diameter portion 533 to the base portion of the head portion 535 (taper portion 535b) when it is sheathed on the locking core member portion 531, and Locked to the head 535. When the cap 541 is externally attached to the locking core member 531, an annular flange 548 positioned at the end of the base portion abuts the door 465, and the distal end is the locking core member 531. Covers up to the vicinity of the head 536.

  The cap 541 includes a distal end side locking and fixing portion 542 and a base portion side cylindrical portion 544. The locking and fixing portion 542 is formed in a thick tapered shape so as to increase the outer diameter dimension toward the base portion side. A first groove 543 is formed on the outer peripheral surface between the cylindrical portion 544 and the locking and fixing portion 542. The first concave groove 543 allows the inner peripheral surface portion 508a of the locking hole 508 to be fitted. The cylindrical portion 544 has an inner diameter that is larger than that of the locking and fixing portion 542. Further, the cylindrical portion 544 has an outer diameter dimension set substantially equal to the outer diameter dimension of the bottom portion of the first concave groove 543. Further, a plurality of slits 547 are formed in the cap 541 from the tip of the locking and fixing portion 542 to the vicinity of the cylindrical portion 544.

  In this clip 530, there are two types of locking states to the locking hole 508, a first locking state and a second locking state.

  As shown in FIGS. 94A and B, the first locked state is inserted into the locking hole 508 in a state where the cap 541 is externally mounted on the locking core material portion 531, and is inserted into the first concave groove 543. In this state, the inner peripheral surface portion 508a of the locking hole 508 is fitted. In this first locked state, when the clip 530 is pulled in the direction of pulling out from the locking hole 508, the cap 541 is locked to the bracket 507 as shown in FIG. The head 535 of the core member 531 can move to the vicinity of the first concave groove 543. This movement is facilitated by disposing the slit 547 in the vicinity of the locking and fixing portion 542 so that the locking and fixing portion 542 widens the inner diameter. However, the locking fixing portion 542 is thick in the vicinity of the first concave groove 543. Therefore, the head portion 535 of the locking core material portion 531 does not come out of the locking fixing portion 542 and cannot go through the portion of the locking hole 508. That is, in the first locked state in which the inner peripheral surface portion 508 a of the locking hole 508 is fitted in the first concave groove 543 of the cap 541, the locking core portion 531 does not come out of the locking hole 508. .

  94C shows a state in which the locking core material portion 531 is pulled out linearly along the axial direction of the locking hole 508. FIG. However, in the vehicle-mounted state, the locking core member 531 moves while swinging so that the large-diameter portion 533 side is lowered from the head 535 side.

  The second locking state is a state in which the clip 530 is pushed into the locking hole 508 side and the cylindrical portion 544 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface portion 508a of the locking hole 508, as shown in FIG. 95A. . In this second locking state, when the clip 530 is pulled in the pulling direction from the locking hole 508, the locking core is locked with the cap 541 locked to the bracket 507 as shown in FIG. The head portion 535 of the material portion 531 can pass through the locking and fixing portion 542. At this time, the locking fixing portion 542 in the cap 541 has a thick base portion side detached from the locking hole 508, so that the head 535 can go through the locking fixing portion 542 without hindrance. It becomes. Further, the head 535 can detach from the bracket 507 through the cylindrical portion 544. That is, in the second locking state in which the portion of the cylindrical portion 544 of the cap 541 is disposed at the position of the locking hole 508, the locking core material portion 531 can be pulled out from the locking hole 508.

  In this clip 530, as shown in FIGS. 89 and 90, the door portion 465 is connected to the case 419 in the first locking state, and the door portion 465 closes the opening 464b of the airbag cover main body portion 464. It is configured as such. When the door 465 is opened by being pushed by the inflating airbag 26, as shown in FIGS. 89 and 96, the head 535 of the locking core member 531 does not come out of the locking hole 508. Thus, the door 465 can be opened by the amount of movement of the head 535 to the vicinity of the first groove 543. Then, the door portion 465 is opened by the moving stroke of the head portion 535, and the airbag 26 is protruded from the openings 419c and 464b of the case 419 and the airbag cover main body portion 464.

  Further, when removing the door portion 465 for maintenance or the like, the stopper 510 is removed, the vicinity of the position where the clip 530 is disposed in the door portion 465 is pushed toward the vehicle front side, and each clip 530 is shifted to the second locking state. Let When the door portion 465 is pulled out, the locking core material portion 531 of each clip 530 is pulled out from the locking hole 508 in a state where the vicinity of the cylindrical portion 544 of the cap 431 is locked to the periphery of the locking hole 508. Can do. Thereafter, the cap 431 is pulled out from the locking hole 508 and is externally attached to the locking core material portion 531.

  In normal times, a stopper 510 is provided. Therefore, even if the door portion 465 is pushed so that the portion of the cylindrical portion 544 is disposed at the portion of the locking hole 508, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Is in contact with the stopper 510. Therefore, the clip 530 does not shift to the second locking state.

  In addition, the door 456 is attached to the case 419 by inserting each clip 530 into the locking hole 508 in a state where the cap 541 is externally mounted on each locking core member 531 and engaging the first concave groove 543. The inner peripheral surface portion 508a of the stop hole 508 may be fitted.

  In the airbag device M13 of the thirteenth embodiment, the door 465 has the lower end 465c disposed on the vehicle front side below the upper end 465a, and the opening 464b of the airbag cover main body 464 and the opening 419c of the case 419 Is blocking. In addition, when opened, the clips 530 arranged on the left and right sides of the door portion 465 are connected to the door portion 465 at a substantially intermediate position in the vertical direction, not on the upper side in the vertical direction. The clip 530 is supported by the periphery of the locking hole 508, but can move along the axial direction and can swing in the vertical direction around the locking hole 508. Therefore, when the door portion 465 is pushed by the airbag 26 that is deployed and inflated, the opening width on the upper end 465a side of the door portion 465 is made larger than the opening width on the lower end 465c side, thereby enabling an opening mode. Therefore, the door portion 465 itself serves as a guide plate portion. That is, the door portion 465 guides the protruding direction of the airbag 26 along the lower surface of the column cover at the upper surface (airbag side member) 465d in the middle of opening.

  In addition, the clip 530 of 13th Embodiment can be arrange | positioned in the door part of each embodiment, if a door part is made into a different body.

  In the clip 530 of the thirteenth embodiment, the locking core member 531 and the cap 541 are formed in a straight line. However, like the clip 530A of the fourteenth embodiment shown in FIGS. 97 to 100, the axis of the locking core member 531 and the cap 541 may be formed in an arc shape. The arc of this axis is an arc centered on the hinge portion 437 of the door portion 435.

  Further, the knee protecting airbag device M14 of the fourteenth embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the airbag device M13 of the tenth embodiment shown in FIGS. That is, in the fourteenth embodiment, the clip 530A is used instead of the link mechanism 439 as the angle regulating member, and the same members as those in the tenth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description is made. Omitted.

  In the knee protection airbag device M14 that uses such a bent clip 530A, the clip 530A includes the head 535 of the locking core member 531 and the first concave groove of the cap 541 as shown in FIGS. It will move to the vicinity of 543 and the opening angle of the door part 435 will be controlled.

  The bent clip 530A of the fourteenth embodiment may be used in the thirteenth embodiment in combination with the stopper 510.

It is sectional drawing which shows the use condition of the airbag apparatus for knee protection of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the column cover vicinity of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the time of expansion | deployment of the airbag of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the IV-IV site | part of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the VV site | part of FIG. It is a top view of the airbag used in a 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the VII-VII site | part of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the use condition of the airbag apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a front view of the column cover vicinity of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of an airbag. It is a top view which shows the other modification of an airbag. It is a perspective view which shows the other modification of an airbag. It is a figure which shows the manufacturing process of the airbag of another modification. It is sectional drawing of the XIV-XIV site | part of FIG. It is a top view which shows the other modification of an airbag. It is sectional drawing of the XVI-XVI site | part of FIG. It is a top view which shows the other modification of an airbag. It is sectional drawing of the XVIII-XVIII site | part of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the other modification of an airbag. It is a perspective view which shows the other modification of an airbag. It is sectional drawing which shows the other connection support state of an airbag apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the further another connection support state of an airbag apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of an airbag apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the airbag apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a front view of the column cover vicinity of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the time of expansion | deployment of the airbag of 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the airbag apparatus of the modification of 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the use condition of the airbag apparatus for knee protection which is 4th Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view of the airbag apparatus for knee protection of 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the XXX-XXX site | part of FIG. It is a front view of the column cover vicinity of 4th Embodiment. It is a top view of the airbag used in 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the XXXIII-XXXIII site | part of FIG. It is the schematic which shows folding of the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the folding of the airbag in FIG. It is a figure explaining the time of expansion | deployment of the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the time of expansion | deployment of the airbag of 4th Embodiment, and shows the state after FIG. It is a figure explaining the time of expansion | deployment of the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the time of expansion | deployment of the airbag of 4th Embodiment, and shows the state after FIG. It is the schematic which shows the inflation completion state of the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the other folding of the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows other folding of the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the further another method of folding the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows folding of the airbag in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which accommodated the airbag of 4th Embodiment in another case. It is the schematic which shows the further another method of folding the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the folding of the airbag in FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows other folding of the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows how to fold the airbag in FIG. It is a top view which shows the other modification of the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the XXXXXI-XXXXXI site | part of FIG. It is a top view which shows the further another modification of the airbag of 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the use condition of the airbag apparatus for knee protection of 5th Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the folding of the airbag used in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the use condition of the airbag apparatus for knee protection which is 6th Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view of the airbag apparatus of 6th Embodiment. It is a front view of the column cover vicinity of 6th Embodiment. It is a top view of the airbag used in 6th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the XXXXXIX-XXXXXIX site | part of FIG. It is the schematic which shows folding of the airbag of 6th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the time of expansion | swelling of the airbag of 6th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the time of expansion | deployment of the airbag of 6th Embodiment, and shows the state after FIG. It is the schematic which shows the inflation completion state of the airbag of 6th Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the modification of the airbag of 6th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the XXXXXXIV-XXXXXXIV site | part of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of 6th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the use condition of the airbag apparatus for knee protection which is 7th Embodiment. It is a front view of the column cover vicinity of 7th Embodiment. It is a top view of the airbag used in a 7th embodiment. FIG. 70 is a cross-sectional view of a portion XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX in FIG. 69. It is the schematic which shows the time of completion of inflation of the airbag of 7th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the use condition of the airbag apparatus for knee protection which is 8th Embodiment. It is a front view of the column cover vicinity of 8th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the use condition of the airbag apparatus for knee protection which is 9th Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view of the airbag apparatus for knee protection of 9th Embodiment. It is a front view of the column cover vicinity of 9th Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the time of completion of inflation of the airbag of 9th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the use condition of the airbag apparatus for knee protection which is 10th Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view of the airbag apparatus for knee protection of 10th Embodiment. 79 is a cross-sectional view of a XXXXXXXX-XXXXXXXX site in FIG. 78. FIG. In 10th Embodiment, it is an expanded sectional view of the airbag apparatus for knee protection which has arrange | positioned the other angle control member. It is an expanded sectional view of the airbag apparatus for knee protection which is 11th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the time of expansion | deployment of the airbag of 11th Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view of the airbag apparatus for knee protection which is 12th Embodiment. In 12th Embodiment, it is an expanded sectional view of the airbag apparatus for knee protection which changed the position of the hinge part. It is sectional drawing which shows the other fixing means for fixing a door part to the main-body part of an airbag cover. It is sectional drawing which shows the other fixing means for fixing a door part to the main-body part of an airbag cover. It is sectional drawing which shows the other fixing means for fixing a door part to the main-body part of an airbag cover. It is sectional drawing of the airbag apparatus for knee protection of 13th Embodiment. FIG. 90 is a cross-sectional view of a portion XXXXXXXXX-XXXXXXXXX in FIG. It is an enlarged front view which shows the latching core material part of the clip in 13th Embodiment. It is an enlarged plan view which shows the cap of the clip of 13th Embodiment. It is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the cap of the clip of 13th Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view explaining the use condition (1st latching state) of the clip of 13th Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view explaining the use condition (2nd latching state) of the clip of 13th Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view showing the time of opening of the door part of a 13th embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view of the airbag apparatus for knee protection of 14th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the XXXXXXXXXVIII-XXXXXXXXXVIII site | part of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view of the angle control member of 14th Embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view of the angle control member when the door part of 14th Embodiment opens.

Explanation of symbols

3 ... Steering column,
9 ... Column cover,
9a ... underside of the column cover,
11 ... (Instrument panel) Instrument panel,
13, 13A, 13B ... Lower panel,
13A, 13B, 112, 312, 412, 423, 447, 456, 463 ... airbag covers,
13a, 313, 413, 434, 448, 457, 464 ... (airbag cover) body part / general part,
15, 113, 315, 415, 436, 450, 459 ... expected to break,
16, 114, 114A, 114B, 314, 414, 435, 449, 458, 465 ... door part,
16a, 314a, 414a, 435a, 449a, 458a ... Upper edge and upper end (of the door),
17, 17A, 115, 316, 416, 437 ... hinge part,
19.119.142.319.419 ... case,
19a, 142c, 319c, 419c ... (in the case) opening,
20 ... Guide board part,
21, 124, 321 ... Inflator,
26, 26A, 26B, 36, 46, 56, 76, 86, 129, 152, 164, 182, 226, 236, 326 ... airbags,
26a, 129a, 182a, 228a, 238a, 326a ... rear end and upper end (of the airbag),
26c · 129e · 182e · 227a · 237a · 326e ... the left edge (of the airbag),
26d · 129g · 182g · 227b · 237b · 326f ... right edge (of the airbag),
27.241 ... (column cover side wall) upper cloth,
28.242 ... (driver side wall) lower cloth,
29,135,135D, 135U, 160,171,233,233D, 233U, 243D, 243U, 329,329D, 329U, 444 ... tether,
31, 130, 154, 166, 245, 331 ... upstream part,
32, 131, 155, 167, 246, 332 ... downstream part,
33 · 136 · 227e · 333… Gas flow holes,
37, 47, 67, 77, 87, 133, 157, 169, 185, 231, 327 ... Column cover side wall,
38, 48, 68, 78, 88, 134, 158, 170, 186, 232, 328 ... Driver side wall,
86a, 86b, 86c ... Airbag material,
120 ... Bag storage part,
129c, 182c, 326c ... (in the airbag) central part,
135D ... Gas flow regulating material,
135U ... thickness regulating means,
159.244 ... (gas flow regulating material) rectifying cloth,
177 ... guide member,
183, 227, 237 ... (main part of the airbag),
439 (angle regulating means) link mechanism,
444 (Angle control means) tether,
451 ... lower end side hinge part,
452 ... Auxiliary hinge part,
OA ... open area,
SA ... Airbag assembly,
M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10, M11, M12, M13, M14 ... knee protection airbag device,
G ... expansion gas,
D ... Driver,
K ... Knee.

Claims (8)

An airbag that inflates by inflating gas can protect the driver's knees. When deployment is complete, the airbag covers the steering column located on the front side of the driver and protrudes upward from the instrument panel. A knee protection airbag device configured to be arranged between a column cover and a driver's knee,
The airbag is
Folded and stored in an airbag storage part disposed in the instrument panel below the steering column,
The bottom surface of the column cover is provided with a column cover side wall portion disposed on the column cover side and a driver side wall portion disposed on the driver side, and having a shape in which expansion gas is introduced to complete expansion and expansion. A substantially plate shape that can cover from the front side of the side to the vicinity of the rear end,
The left and right width dimensions of the column cover side wall portion and the driver side wall portion, which are flatly deployed, are configured to be wider than the width dimension in the left and right direction of the airbag storage portion,
The lower side at the time of completion of expansion and expansion is configured as an upstream side part of the expansion gas, and the upper side is configured as a downstream side part of the expansion gas,
While partitioning the upstream part and the downstream part , expand and expand so as to widen the width dimension of the upstream part in the left-right direction, and then complete the expansion of the downstream part, Arranging a gas flow regulating material for regulating the flow of the expansion gas, and
On the upper side of the gas flow regulating member at the time of completion of the deployment and on the upper end side of the airbag, an interference portion that protects the knee by interfering with the driver's knee by making the thickness dimension thicker than other portions Arrange
An air bag device for knee protection, characterized in that it is configured.   The column cover side wall is configured so as to be inflated into a substantially plate-like shape capable of covering from the front side to the vicinity of the rear end on the lower surface side of the column cover by regulating the thickness of the airbag inflating in the airbag. 2. The knee protection airbag device according to claim 1, further comprising a thickness restricting unit that couples a portion with the driver side wall portion.   The thickness regulating means is also used as the gas flow regulating material as a tether disposed along a left-right direction so as to partition the upstream side portion and the downstream side portion. Item 3. The knee protection airbag device according to Item 2. Tether used also said the thickness regulating means and said gas flow regulating member is a gas distributing holes flowing the inflation gas from the upstream part to the downstream portion, is disposed on the left and right sides of the airbag The knee protection airbag device according to claim 3.   A tether that serves both as the thickness restricting means and the gas flow restricting material is disposed at a position where the tether is separated from the airbag accommodating part during deployment and in the vicinity of the airbag accommodating part. The knee protection airbag device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the knee protection airbag device is provided.   A portion located at the front of the driver's shin, where the tether that serves both as the thickness restricting means and the gas flow restricting material is located below the portion that protects the driver's knee when the airbag is inflated. The knee protection airbag device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the knee protection airbag device is disposed on the knee protection device. The air bag is disposed along the left-right direction above the first tether, with the tether serving as both the thickness regulating means and the gas flow regulating material serving as a first tether. A second tether serving as a thickness regulating means for connecting the cover side wall portion and the driver side wall portion is disposed;
The first tether and the second tether are thinner at the front part of the shin below the driver's knee when the airbag is completely inflated than the part disposed in front of the knee. The airbag device for knee protection according to claim 6, wherein the airbag device is disposed so as to be restricted.   The airbag is laterally folded by roll folding in which the upper end of the airbag is wound on the side of the column cover side wall so that the airbag protrudes from the airbag housing part and rises along the lower surface side of the column cover and can be expanded and inflated. The folding part and the vertical folding process of longitudinally folding the left and right edges so as to approach the center side are folded and stored in the airbag storage part. Item 9. The knee protection airbag device according to any one of Items 7 to 9.

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