JP6376044B2 - Arrangement structure of occupant protection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technical field related to an arrangement structure of an occupant protection device including a knee protection airbag device that protects a knee portion of an occupant seated in a passenger seat of a vehicle at the time of a vehicle collision.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a knee protection airbag device that protects a passenger's knee seated in a passenger seat of a vehicle by inflating and deploying the bag portion at the time of a vehicle collision is known. Such an air bag device for knee protection is provided in a portion of the instrument panel on the front side of the passenger seat, and in the portion of the instrument panel on the front side of the vehicle in the front of the vehicle, usually, a stored item can be stored. Since the storage box (glove box) is disposed, the positional relationship between the knee protection airbag device and the storage box becomes a problem.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, the knee protection airbag device is disposed on the lower side of the storage box and fixed to the storage box immediately above the knee box. Moreover, in patent document 1, the air bag cover which covers the opening of the case which accommodates the inflator and bag part of the airbag apparatus for knee protection, and the lid of a storage box are integrally molded, The design property of these members Is good.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-203222

  However, when the knee protection airbag device is disposed below the storage box as in Patent Document 1, the knee protection airbag device is provided below the storage box and on the vehicle rear side of the knee protection airbag device. A design panel that covers the airbag device is required (in Patent Document 1, the design panel (airbag cover) is integrally formed with the lid of the storage box). As such a design panel, it is necessary to configure the opening for the bag portion to be deployed on the vehicle rear side of the design panel so as to be formed by the expansion and deployment of the bag portion, which may result in a complicated structure. There is. Also, if the design panel is provided below the storage box and on the rear side of the knee protection airbag device, the design panel may have some influence on the development of the bag portion, and the bag portion is smoother. There is room for improvement in order to develop it.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a knee protection airbag device on the lower side and the knee protection by appropriately arranging the knee protection airbag device. It is not necessary to provide a design panel on the vehicle rear side of the airbag device in which an opening for bag portion deployment is formed by inflating and deploying the bag portion, and the bag portion can be deployed more smoothly. There is.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention , there is provided an air conditioning unit disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle, wherein the blower is provided with a blower and the blower blows air from the blower unit. An air conditioning unit having a temperature control unit that regulates the temperature of the air that has been discharged by a heat exchanger and blows it into the vehicle interior of the vehicle, and a vehicle rear side of the air conditioning unit in the instrument panel and a vehicle front side of the passenger seat A storage box provided in the part and capable of storing storage items, and a bag portion that inflates and deploys when the vehicle collides, and the knee portion of the passenger seated in the passenger seat is protected by the inflation and deployment of the bag portion The above-mentioned knee protection airbag device includes at least a knee protection airbag device in plan view. The bag portion is disposed below the air conditioning unit so that the portion overlaps the air conditioning unit, and the bag portion passes through the lower side of the storage box when the vehicle collides, and the vehicle rear side of the storage box. The air-conditioning unit and the temperature control unit are arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction, and the knee protection airbag device is located below the air-supply unit and at the temperature. While being arrange | positioned at the side of the adjustment unit, it was set as the structure attached to the said ventilation unit and the said temperature control unit .

  With the above configuration, since the knee protection airbag device is disposed below the air conditioning unit, the bag portion is inflated and deployed on the lower side of the storage box and on the vehicle rear side of the knee protection airbag device. An air conditioning unit that is disposed on the front side of the vehicle in the instrument panel and is not easily seen by passengers in the passenger seat without providing a design panel in which an opening for developing the bag portion is formed. Similarly, it can be made difficult to see from the passenger in the passenger seat. As a result, it is not necessary to provide the design panel below the storage box and on the vehicle rear side of the knee protection airbag device, and the knee protection airbag device can be provided with a low cost and simple configuration. Can do. In addition, since the bag portion is inflated and deployed on the rear side of the storage box through the lower side of the storage box, the design panel is provided on the lower side of the storage box and on the rear side of the knee protection airbag device. As compared with the above, the bag part can be deployed more smoothly, and the passenger's knee part of the passenger seat can be more appropriately protected.

In addition , the air blowing unit and the temperature control unit of the air conditioning unit are juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction, and the knee protection airbag device is disposed below the air blowing unit and on the side of the temperature control unit. by a is Turkey, usually, since the lower end position of the blower unit is above the lower end position of the temperature control unit may be disposed on the upper side position as possible an air bag device for knee protection. As a result, the knee protection airbag device can be made more difficult to see from the passenger in the passenger seat.

Furthermore, the knee-protecting airbag apparatus that is attached to the said blower unit and the temperature control unit. That is, when the knee protection airbag device is fixed to the storage box, the storage box is easily deformed at a high temperature due to the weight of the knee protection airbag device, and this deformation causes the outer peripheral portion of the storage box and the surrounding members ( There are concerns that the appearance may deteriorate due to gaps or steps formed between the instrument panel and the instrument panel. Moreover, it is difficult to sufficiently support the knee protection airbag device so as to withstand the reaction force when the bag portion is inflated and deployed only by fixing the knee protection airbag device to the storage box. On the other hand, if the knee protection airbag device is to be supported by a high-strength member such as a steering member, a center stay, or a vehicle body (particularly a dash panel), such a high-strength member is disposed at the position where the knee protection airbag device is disposed. Therefore, the attachment portion of the knee protection airbag device to the high-strength member becomes long. For this reason, there is a concern that the layout of the mounting portion may cause a problem or that the storage capacity of the storage box may be reduced due to the mounting portion, and an increase in the vehicle weight due to an increase in the length of the mounting portion. There is also a risk of inviting.

  Therefore, by attaching the knee protection airbag device to the air conditioning unit (blower unit and temperature control unit) located in the vicinity of the knee protection airbag device, it is not necessary to lengthen the attachment portion of the knee protection airbag device, and it is compact and lightweight. Can be configured. Further, both ends of the knee protection airbag device in the vehicle width direction can be attached to the air blowing unit and the temperature control unit, respectively, and the air blowing unit and the temperature control unit are connected to each other, and the vehicle body (dash panel) ) Etc., the knee protection airbag device can be sufficiently supported so as to withstand the reaction force when the bag portion is inflated and deployed.

In another aspect of the present invention, an air conditioning unit disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle, wherein a blower unit is disposed, and air blown from the blower unit by the blower is used as a heat exchanger. An air conditioning unit having a temperature control unit that regulates the temperature and blows it into the vehicle interior of the vehicle, and a storage item provided at a portion of the instrument panel on the vehicle rear side of the air conditioning unit and on the front side of the passenger seat And a knee protection airbag device that has a bag portion that is inflated and deployed when the vehicle collides, and that protects the knee portion of the passenger seated in the passenger seat by the inflation and deployment of the bag portion. The above-mentioned knee protection airbag device is provided in a plan view so that at least a part of the knee protection airbag device overlaps with the air conditioning unit. The bag portion is arranged below the air conditioning unit and configured to inflate and deploy to the vehicle rear side of the storage box through the lower side of the storage box when the vehicle collides. A dash panel extending in the vehicle width direction is provided on the vehicle front side of the air conditioning unit, and a plurality of air conditioning pipes for supplying and discharging the heat medium to and from the heat exchanger are provided in the temperature control unit. At least some of the plurality of air conditioning pipes extend in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle front side of the knee protection airbag device, and overlap with the knee protection airbag device in the vehicle width direction. It is assumed that the vehicle is disposed so as to penetrate the dash panel of the vehicle.

As a result, it is not necessary to provide a design panel on the lower side of the storage box and on the vehicle rear side of the knee protection airbag device in which an opening for expanding the bag portion is formed by inflating and deploying the bag portion. The knee protection airbag device can be provided at a low cost and with a simple configuration. Also, compared to the case where the above-mentioned design panel is provided below the storage box and on the rear side of the knee protection airbag device, the bag portion can be deployed more smoothly and the passenger's knee portion of the passenger seat can be more appropriate. Can be protected. Furthermore, even if the knee protection airbag device tries to move to the front side of the vehicle due to the reaction force when the bag part is inflated and deployed, the air-conditioning piping prevents the knee protection airbag device from moving to the front side of the vehicle. can do.

  In the occupant protection device arrangement structure, the blower has a drive motor that drives the impeller, and the drive motor has at least a part of the motor case of the drive motor as viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle. It is preferable that the knee protection airbag device is provided on the vehicle front side so as to overlap with the protection airbag device.

Therefore, even if the knee protection airbag device tries to move to the front side of the vehicle by the reaction force when the bag portion is inflated and deployed, the knee protection airbag device is moved to the front side of the vehicle by the drive motor. Can be suppressed. As a result, the bag portion can be inflated and deployed to an appropriate position, and the knee portion of the passenger in the passenger seat can be appropriately protected .

  In the occupant protection device arrangement structure, the storage box is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft provided to extend in a vehicle width direction at a lower end portion of the storage box, and the knee protection air It is preferable that the bag device is disposed so as to be positioned on the vehicle front side with respect to the rotation axis of the storage box.

  In this way, the knee protection airbag device can be disposed without reducing the storage capacity of the storage box and without hindering the rotation of the storage box. Further, even if a design panel is not provided on the lower side of the storage box and on the rear side of the knee protection airbag device, the knee protection airbag device can be made difficult to be seen by the passenger in the passenger seat.

As described above, according to the occupant protection device arrangement structure of one aspect of the present invention, the knee protection airbag device is at least partially overlapped with the air conditioning unit in plan view. The air blower unit of the air conditioning unit is configured to be disposed on the lower side of the air conditioning unit and to inflate and deploy the bag portion to the vehicle rear side of the storage box through the lower side of the storage box. And the temperature control unit are juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction, and the knee protection airbag device is disposed below the air blow unit and to the side of the temperature control unit, and the air blow unit. and by being attached to and the temperature control unit, the vehicle rear side of the lower a and knee protecting airbag device of the storage box, the opening of the bag portion expanded by inflation and deployment of the bag portion is formed Be finished without providing a design panel can be disposed an air bag device for knee protection is and simple construction cost. Also, compared to the case where the above-mentioned design panel is provided below the storage box and on the rear side of the knee protection airbag device, the bag portion can be deployed more smoothly and the passenger's knee portion of the passenger seat can be more appropriate. Can be protected. Further, the knee protection airbag device can be made more difficult to see from the passenger in the passenger seat, and it is not necessary to extend the attachment portion of the knee protection airbag device for a long time, so that the configuration is compact and lightweight. In addition, the knee protection airbag device can be sufficiently supported so as to withstand a reaction force when the bag portion is inflated and deployed.

Further, according to the occupant protection device arrangement structure of another aspect of the present invention, the knee protection airbag device is configured to overlap at least a part of the knee protection airbag device with the air conditioning unit in plan view. The bag unit is arranged on the lower side of the air conditioning unit, and is configured to inflate and deploy on the vehicle rear side of the storage box through the lower side of the storage box. At least a portion of the plurality of air conditioning pipes for supplying and discharging the heat medium to and from the heat exchanger extends in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle front side of the knee protection airbag device, and in the vehicle width direction, By being arranged so as to penetrate the dash panel of the vehicle at a position overlapping with the knee protection airbag device, the bag portion is provided below the storage box and on the vehicle rear side of the knee protection airbag device. The inflated and deployed has no requirement provided design panel in which the opening is formed in the bag portion expanded, it is possible to dispose the air bag device for knee protection is and simple construction cost. Also, compared to the case where the above-mentioned design panel is provided below the storage box and on the rear side of the knee protection airbag device, the bag portion can be deployed more smoothly and the passenger's knee portion of the passenger seat can be more appropriate. Can be protected. Furthermore, even if the knee protection airbag device tries to move to the front side of the vehicle due to the reaction force when the bag part is inflated and deployed, the air-conditioning piping prevents the knee protection airbag device from moving to the front side of the vehicle. can do.

It is the figure which looked at the part by the side of the passenger seat of the instrument panel of the vehicle to which the arrangement structure of the crew member protection device concerning the embodiment of the present invention was applied from the vehicle rear side. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the figure which looked at the air conditioning unit and the airbag apparatus for knee protection from the vehicle rear side. It is the cross-sectional perspective view which cut | disconnected the air conditioning unit and the dash panel along the IV-IV line of FIG. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a view of a vehicle right side portion of an instrument panel 1 of a vehicle to which an occupant protection device arrangement structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, as viewed from the vehicle rear side. In the present embodiment, the vehicle is a left-hand drive vehicle, and the right side portion of the instrument panel 1 corresponds to the front side portion of the passenger seat 8 (see FIG. 2).

  The instrument panel 1 is located at the front end of the vehicle interior of the vehicle (on the rear side of the dash panel 7 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) that extends in the vehicle width direction and partitions the engine room and the vehicle compartment). It is arranged. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, an air conditioning unit 11 is disposed in the instrument panel 1. The air conditioning unit 11 includes a blower unit 12, a temperature control unit 13, and a connecting member 14 that connects the blower unit 12 and the temperature control unit 13 to each other. The blower unit 12 and the temperature control unit 13 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. The temperature control unit 13 is disposed in a substantially central portion in the vehicle width direction in the instrument panel 1 (the vehicle front side of the center console portion of the instrument panel 1). On the other hand, the blower unit 12 is disposed in the instrument panel 1 on the front passenger seat 8 side of the temperature control unit 13 (right side of the vehicle in this embodiment) and on the front side of the passenger seat 8.

  The blower unit 12 has a blower 22 (see FIG. 5) disposed in a resin box-like blower case 21, and the blower 22 blows air outside the vehicle compartment from the outside air intake 25. The air in the passenger compartment is taken into the air blowing case 21 from the inside air inlet 26 and the air for generating the temperature adjusted air is sent to the temperature adjusting unit 13 via the connecting member 14. Yes. The connecting member 14 has an air inlet 14a connected to the air outlet 21a of the blower case 21, and an air supply for supplying the air introduced into the air inlet 14a from the air inlet 14a to the temperature control unit 13. A path 14b is formed (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  The blower 22 is a sirocco fan and has a drive motor 23 that drives the impeller 24. The drive motor 23 is fixed to the lower portion of the blower case 21 such that the motor shaft 23b extends upward from the motor case 23a. An impeller 24 is connected to the upper end portion of the motor shaft 23b. The motor case 23 a of the drive motor 23 extends from the lower surface of the blower case 21 so as to protrude downward.

  The temperature control unit 13 has an evaporator (cooling heat exchanger) and a heater core (heating heat exchanger) (not shown) in a resin box-shaped temperature control case 31, and these two heat exchanges. The temperature of the air blown from the blower unit 12 is adjusted by the vessel and blown out into the vehicle compartment of the vehicle. That is, the air blown from the blower unit 12 through the connecting member 14 is cooled by passing through the evaporator, and the cooled air is sent to the heater core by a damper (not shown) whose opening degree is adjusted. And air that bypasses the heater core. The air guided to the heater core is heated by passing through the heater core. Then, the air that has passed through the heater core and the bypassed air are mixed to obtain temperature-controlled air having a desired temperature, and this temperature-controlled air is seated on the passenger (driver) seated in the driver's seat or the passenger seat 8. Depending on the blowing mode set by the occupant 9 (see FIG. 2), the air is selectively blown out from the defroster outlet 32, the vent outlet 33, etc. provided in the temperature control case 31. The defroster outlet 32 is provided in the front part of the vehicle on the upper surface of the temperature control case 32 of the temperature control unit 13, and the defroster provided at the front part of the vehicle panel on the upper surface of the instrument panel 1 through a duct (not shown). Connected. The vent outlet 33 is provided in a vehicle rear side portion on the upper surface of the temperature control case 31 of the temperature control unit 13, and is substantially in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle rear surface of the instrument panel 1 through a duct (not shown). A center ventilator (not shown) provided at the center and side ventilators 1a provided at both ends in the vehicle width direction at the rear upper surface of the instrument panel 1 (FIG. 1 shows only the side ventilator 1a on the right side of the vehicle. ).

  The lower surface of the temperature adjustment case 31 is located below the lower surface of the blower case 21 and is located below the lower surface of the motor case 23 a of the drive motor 23.

  In order to drive an actuator 35 for driving the damper and a damper for switching the air outlet according to the blowing mode, on the side of the temperature control case 31 of the temperature control unit 13 on the air blowing unit 12 side (vehicle right side). The actuator 36 is disposed.

  The temperature control unit 13 includes two refrigerant pipes 38 (air conditioning pipes) for supplying and discharging a heat medium (refrigerant) to the evaporator, and although not shown, a heat medium (engine cooling) for the heater core. Two cooling water pipes (air conditioning pipes) for supplying and discharging water) are provided.

  The connecting member 14 extends in the vehicle width direction substantially along the dash panel 7 so as to cover the front surface of the temperature control case 31 of the temperature control unit 13, and is fixed to the front surface of the temperature control case 31. This is integrated with the temperature control case 31. The connecting member 14 is also integrated with the air blowing unit 12 by being fixed to the air blowing case 21 of the air blowing unit 12. The entire air conditioning unit 11 includes bolts 41 (FIG. 1) at a plurality of locations via an attachment portion 21 b provided on the blower case 21, an attachment portion 31 a provided on the temperature adjustment case 31, and an attachment portion 14 c provided on the connecting member 14. 2) and is fixed to the dash panel 7 (vehicle body). The air conditioning unit 11 may be attached and fixed to the steering member 2 described later instead of or in addition to the dash panel 7.

  A storage box 4 (glove box) that can store storage items in the instrument panel 1 on the vehicle rear side of the air conditioning unit 11 (specifically, on the vehicle rear side of the blower unit 12) and on the vehicle front side of the passenger seat 8 Also called). The storage box 4 is configured to be rotatable about a shaft center of a rotation shaft 4a provided at the lower end portion of the storage box 4 and extending in the vehicle width direction at the vehicle front side end portion. A closed position where the entire surface of the box 4 excluding the rear side of the vehicle is located in the instrument panel 1, and a substantially entire storage box 4 is pivoted from the closed position about the axis of the rotation shaft 4a. It mutually rotates between the opening positions located on the outer side (vehicle rear side) of the ment panel 1.

  When the storage box 4 is in the closed position, the vehicle rear side surface of the storage box 4 is substantially fitted to the opening 1b of the instrument panel 1, and the opening portion on the vehicle rear surface of the instrument panel 1 It is substantially flush with the peripheral edge of 1b. When the storage box 4 is in the closed position, the storage box 4 is locked to the instrument panel 1 by a lock mechanism (not shown) so as not to rotate to the open position.

  An operation portion 4b for releasing the lock by the lock mechanism and rotating the storage box 4 to the open position is provided on the rear surface of the storage box 4. When the driver's seat passenger or the passenger 9 in the passenger seat 8 pulls the operation unit 4b toward the front side, the lock by the lock mechanism is released and the storage box 4 can be rotated to the open position. Stopper portions 4c are respectively formed on the side surfaces of the storage box 4 on both sides in the vehicle width direction (in FIG. 2, only the stopper portion 4c formed on the left side surface of the vehicle is visible). The storage box 4 is in contact with the corresponding contact portion 1c provided on the inner surface of the instrument panel 1 at the opening position of the storage box 4, so that the storage box 4 stops rotating at the opening position. To do. When the storage box 4 is in the open position, an opening portion 4d formed on the upper surface of the storage box 4 that communicates the inside and outside of the storage box 4 appears on the outside of the instrument panel 1, and from the opening portion 4d, the driver seat An occupant or an occupant 9 in the passenger seat 8 can store the storage items in the storage box 4.

  A steering member 2 (also called an instrument panel member) made of a pipe member extending in the vehicle width direction is disposed in the instrument panel 1 (see FIG. 2). Although not shown, a steering column of a steering device including a steering is attached to the steering member 2. A well-known upper body protecting airbag device 45 that protects the upper body (head and chest) of the passenger 9 of the passenger seat 8 is attached to the steering member 2 via the bracket 46. The airbag device 45 for protecting the upper body has a bag portion (not shown) that is inflated and deployed at the time of the collision of the vehicle (particularly at the time of a frontal collision). Protect. The bag portion is inflated and deployed on the upper surface of the instrument panel 1 from the opening formed by the inflation and deployment of the bag portion to the front side of the upper body of the occupant 9.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the upper body protecting airbag device 45, a knee protecting airbag device 51 for protecting the knee portion 9 a of the passenger 9 of the passenger seat 8 is provided. The knee protection airbag device 51 includes an inflator 52 that extends in the vehicle width direction, and a bag portion 53 that is inflated and deployed upon receipt of gas supplied from the inflator 52 when the vehicle collides (particularly during a frontal collision). The knee portion 9a of the occupant 9 is protected by inflating and deploying the bag portion 53 (see FIG. 2). In FIG. 4, the bag portion 53 is omitted.

  The knee protecting airbag device 51 further includes a housing 54 that extends in the vehicle width direction and accommodates the inflator 52 and the bag portion 53. An opening 54 a that communicates the inside and outside of the housing 54 is formed on the rear surface of the housing 54. The opening 54 a has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the rear side of the vehicle, and is closed by a closing member 55 (for example, made of paper or the like) that can be easily broken by the expansion and deployment force of the bag portion 53. Note that the closing member 55 may not be provided.

  An inflator 52 is disposed in a portion of the housing 54 opposite to the opening 54a (the vehicle front side), and a bag portion 53 is disposed in a folded state in a portion on the opening 54a side. The inflator 52 is disposed in the housing 54 in a state in which both end portions in the longitudinal direction (vehicle width direction) are supported and fixed to side wall portions on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the housing 54 via support members (not shown). It is installed.

  The knee protecting airbag device 51 is disposed below the air conditioning unit 11 so that at least a part of the knee protecting airbag device 51 overlaps the air conditioning unit 11 in plan view. In the present embodiment, the knee protection airbag device 51 is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the drive motor 23 (motor case 23a) on the lower side of the blower unit 12 and on the side of the temperature control unit 13, and is flat. In view, a part of the knee protection airbag device 51 (right side of the vehicle) overlaps with the blower unit 12 (see FIG. 5). The lower surface of the knee protecting airbag device 51 (the lower surface of the housing 54) is positioned slightly below the lower surface of the motor case 23a.

  The knee protection airbag device 51 is attached to the blower unit 12 and the temperature control unit 13. That is, the first attachment portion 54b is provided at the end of the upper surface of the housing 54 on the right side of the vehicle so as to extend upward. The first attachment portion 54 b is attached and fixed to the blower case 21 by a bolt 58 in a state where the first attachment portion 54 b is in contact with the lower portion of the blower case 21 on the rear surface of the vehicle. A second mounting portion 54c is provided on the side surface of the housing 54 on the left side of the vehicle so as to extend to the left side of the vehicle (the temperature control unit 13 side). The second attachment portion 54c is attached and fixed to the temperature adjustment case 31 by a bolt 59 in a state where the second attachment portion 54c is in contact with the lower end portion of the temperature adjustment case 31 of the temperature adjustment unit 13 and the right end of the vehicle. The

  In this way, the knee protecting airbag device 51 is attached to the air conditioning unit 11 (the air blowing unit 12 and the temperature control unit 13) in the vicinity thereof. With this mounting configuration, it is not necessary to extend the first mounting portion 54 b and the second mounting portion 54 c of the housing 54 to the steering member 2 and the dash panel 7 that are far from the housing 54. In the mounting configuration of the present embodiment, the knee protection airbag device 51 (housing 54) can be fastened and fixed to the air conditioning unit 11 from the rear side of the vehicle. Thereby, the knee protection airbag device 51 can be easily fastened and fixed to the air conditioning unit 11. That is, when the instrument panel 1 is attached to the vehicle body after the air conditioning unit 11 is attached to the vehicle body (here, the dash panel 7), the knee protection is performed before or after the instrument panel 1 is attached. The air bag device 51 can be easily fastened and fixed to the air conditioning unit 11 attached to the vehicle body. In addition, after the air conditioning unit 11 is pre-assembled into the instrument panel 1 to be in the sub-assembly state, when the instrument panel 1 in the sub-assembly state is assembled to the vehicle, before the instrument panel 1 in the sub-assembly state is assembled to the vehicle body, The knee protection airbag device 51 can be easily fastened and fixed to the air conditioning unit 11 whether or not there is.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the knee protecting airbag device 51 is disposed so as to be located on the vehicle front side (in the present embodiment, on the vehicle front side and below) with respect to the rotation shaft 4 a of the storage box 4. . The knee protection airbag device 51 is preferably located on the vehicle front side by a predetermined distance or more with respect to the rotation shaft 4 a of the storage box 4. Since the design panel which covers the knee protection airbag apparatus 51 is not provided in the vehicle rear side (under the storage box 4) of the knee protection airbag apparatus 51, the protection airbag apparatus 51 is provided. Is difficult to see from the passenger 9 in the passenger seat 8. The predetermined distance is a distance at which the protective airbag device 51 becomes difficult to be seen from the passenger 9 of the passenger seat 8 and becomes larger as the knee protective airbag device 51 is positioned on the lower side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the knee protection airbag device 51 has a bag portion 53 that passes through the lower side of the storage box 4 when the vehicle collides (particularly at the frontal collision). The occupant 9 is configured to be inflated and deployed on the vehicle front side of the knee portion 9a. The opening 54a faces the vehicle rear side (more specifically, the vehicle rear side and slightly lower side), so that the bag portion 53 is substantially horizontal (more Specifically, the vehicle heads toward the rear and slightly below the vehicle. When the bag part 53 is inflated and deployed, the bag part 53 moves from the preset shape of the bag part 53 toward the rear side and the upper side of the vehicle.

  The bag portion 53 has a substantially J-shape or a substantially L-shape when viewed from the vehicle width direction after completion of inflation and deployment, and the deployment tip portion of the bag portion 53 is above the knee portion 9 a of the occupant 9. Is located. Further, the bag portion 53 has a width (length in the vehicle width direction) that can protect the left and right knee portions 9a of the occupant 9 after completion of the inflation and deployment.

  The drive motor 23 is provided on the vehicle front side of the knee protection airbag device 51 so that at least a part of the motor case 23a of the drive motor 23 overlaps with the knee protection airbag device 51 when viewed from the vehicle longitudinal direction. It is preferable that In the present embodiment, as described above, the knee protecting airbag device 51 is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the motor case 23a on the lower side of the blower unit 12, and the lower surface of the knee protecting airbag device 51. Since (the lower surface of the housing 54) is located below the lower surface of the motor case 23a, substantially the entire motor case 23a of the drive motor 23 is connected to the knee protection airbag device 51 when viewed from the vehicle longitudinal direction. Duplicate. As a result, even if the knee protection airbag device 51 (particularly the right side portion of the vehicle) tries to move to the front side of the vehicle due to the reaction force when the bag portion 53 is inflated and deployed, the drive motor 23 protects the knee. The movement of the airbag device 51 toward the vehicle front side can be suppressed. As a result, the bag portion 53 is inflated and deployed to an appropriate position, and the knee portion 9a of the passenger 9 in the passenger seat 8 can be appropriately protected.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the two refrigerant pipes 38 penetrate from the evaporator in the temperature adjustment case 31 of the temperature adjustment unit 13 through the side surface of the temperature adjustment case 31 on the right side of the vehicle. After going outside, the knee protection airbag device 51 is lowered to a height position substantially the same. The two refrigerant pipes 38 extend from the vehicle front side of the knee protection airbag device 51 to the vehicle right side (the air blowing unit 12 side) in the vehicle width direction, and then extend to the vehicle front side. The lead-out part 21a or the lower part of the connecting member 14 in the vicinity of the air inlet 14a passes through the through hole 7a of the dash panel 7 on the vehicle front side of the connecting member 14 and extends into the engine room. As described above, the two refrigerant pipes 38 extend in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle front side of the knee protection airbag device 51, and overlap the knee protection airbag device 51 in the vehicle width direction. It is arrange | positioned so that it may penetrate. As a result, even if the knee protection airbag device 51 (particularly the left side portion of the vehicle) tries to move to the front side of the vehicle due to the reaction force when the bag portion 53 is inflated and deployed, The movement of the knee protection airbag device 51 toward the vehicle front side can be suppressed by the refrigerant pipe 38. Instead of or in addition to the two refrigerant pipes 38, two cooling water pipes extend in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle front side of the knee protection airbag device 51, and in the vehicle width direction, You may arrange | position so that the dash panel 7 may be penetrated in the position which overlaps with the airbag apparatus 51 for knee protection.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, since the knee protecting airbag device 51 is disposed on the lower side of the air conditioning unit 11, the lower side of the storage box 4 and the rear side of the knee protecting airbag device 51 on the vehicle, Even without providing a design panel in which an opening for expanding the bag portion 53 is formed by inflating and deploying the bag portion 53, the knee protecting airbag device 51 is disposed on the front side of the vehicle in the instrument panel 1 and is an assistant. As with the air conditioning unit 11 that is difficult to see from the passenger 9 in the seat 8, it can be made invisible from the passenger 9 in the passenger seat 8. In particular, the knee protection airbag device 51 is disposed below the blower unit 12 and on the side of the temperature control unit 13, so that the knee protection airbag device 51 is disposed as high as possible. Thus, the knee protection airbag device 51 can be made difficult to see. As a result, it is not necessary to provide the design panel below the storage box 4 and on the vehicle rear side of the knee protection airbag device 51, and the knee protection airbag device 51 can be arranged with a low cost and simple configuration. Can be set. Further, since the bag portion 53 is inflated and deployed on the vehicle rear side of the storage box 4 through the lower side of the storage box 4, the bag portion 53 is disposed on the lower side of the storage box 4 and on the vehicle rear side of the knee protection airbag device 51. Compared with the case where a design panel is provided, the bag portion 53 can be deployed more smoothly, and the knee portion 9a of the passenger 9 in the passenger seat 8 can be more appropriately protected.

  Further, since the knee protection airbag device 51 is attached to the blower unit 12 and the temperature control unit 13 via the first attachment portion 54b and the second attachment portion 54c, the first attachment portion 54b of the housing 54 and There is no need to extend the second attachment portion 54c (attachment portion of the knee protection airbag device 51) long, and a compact and lightweight configuration can be achieved. Moreover, the vehicle width direction both ends of the airbag apparatus 51 for knee protection can be attached to the ventilation unit 12 (box-shaped ventilation case 21) and the temperature control unit 13 (box-shaped temperature adjustment case 31), respectively. Since the air blowing unit 12 and the temperature control unit 13 are integrated with the connecting member 14 and attached to the dash panel 7, the knee protection airbag device 51 can withstand the reaction force when the bag portion 53 is inflated and deployed. It can be fully supported.

  Furthermore, even if the knee protection airbag device 51 tries to move to the front side of the vehicle by the reaction force when the bag portion 53 is inflated and deployed, the knee protection airbag device 51 is driven by the drive motor 23 and the refrigerant pipe 38. The movement to the vehicle front side can be suppressed. As a result, the bag portion 53 is inflated and deployed to an appropriate position, and the knee portion 9a of the passenger 9 in the passenger seat 8 can be appropriately protected.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be substituted without departing from the spirit of the claims.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the knee protection airbag device 51 is disposed on the lower side of the air blowing unit 12 and on the side of the temperature adjustment unit 13. It may be arranged on the lower side, or may be arranged on the lower side of both units 12 and 13.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the airbag apparatus 51 for knee protection was attached to the ventilation unit 12 and the temperature control unit 13, you may make it attach only to one of the ventilation unit 12 and the temperature control unit 13. . Alternatively, instead of attaching the knee protection airbag device 51 to the air conditioning unit 11, the knee protection airbag device 51 may be attached to the vehicle body (particularly the dash panel 7), the steering member 2 (pipe member), or the like. .

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the knee protection airbag device 51 is prevented from moving to the front side of the vehicle by both the drive motor 23 and the refrigerant pipe 38. If the support is sufficient, such a configuration is not necessary. Further, the knee protection airbag device 51 may be prevented from moving toward the vehicle front side by only one of the drive motor 23 and the refrigerant pipe 38.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention should not be interpreted in a limited manner. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, and all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is an air conditioning unit disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle, and the temperature of air blown by the blower from which the blower is disposed and the blower from the blower unit is controlled by a heat exchanger. An air conditioning unit having a temperature control unit that blows out into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a storage item provided in a portion of the instrument panel on the vehicle rear side of the air conditioning unit and on the front side of the passenger seat. A storage box, and a bag portion that inflates and deploys when the vehicle collides, and includes a knee protection airbag device that protects the knee portion of the passenger seated on the passenger seat by the inflation and deployment of the bag portion; This is useful for an occupant protection device arrangement structure.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Instrument panel 4 Storage box 4a Rotating shaft 7 Dash panel 8 Passenger seat 9 Passenger seat 9a Knee part 11 Air conditioning unit 12 Blower unit 13 Temperature control unit 22 Blower 23 Drive motor 23a Motor case 24 Impeller 38 Refrigerant piping (air conditioning piping)
51 Airbag device for knee protection 53 Bag part

Claims (4)

An air conditioning unit disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle, wherein the air blower is disposed and a temperature of air blown from the blower unit by the blower is controlled by a heat exchanger. An air conditioning unit having a temperature control unit that blows out into the passenger compartment, and a storage box that is provided in a portion of the instrument panel on the rear side of the air conditioning unit on the vehicle side and on the front side of the passenger seat that can store storage items; An occupant protection device comprising: a bag portion that inflates and deploys when the vehicle collides, and a knee protection airbag device that protects the knee portion of the occupant seated in the passenger seat by inflating and deploying the bag portion. An arrangement structure,
The knee protection airbag device is disposed below the air conditioning unit so that at least a part of the knee protection airbag device overlaps the air conditioning unit in plan view, and the vehicle The bag portion is configured to inflate and deploy to the vehicle rear side of the storage box through the lower side of the storage box at the time of a collision ,
The air blowing unit and the temperature control unit of the air conditioning unit are juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction,
Further, the knee protecting airbag device is disposed on the lower side of the air blowing unit and on the side of the temperature adjusting unit, and is attached to the air blowing unit and the temperature adjusting unit. An arrangement structure of an occupant protection device. An air conditioning unit disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle, wherein the air blower is disposed and a temperature of air blown from the blower unit by the blower is controlled by a heat exchanger. An air conditioning unit having a temperature control unit that blows out into the passenger compartment, and a storage box that is provided in a portion of the instrument panel on the rear side of the air conditioning unit on the vehicle side and on the front side of the passenger seat that can store storage items; An occupant protection device comprising: a bag portion that inflates and deploys when the vehicle collides, and a knee protection airbag device that protects the knee portion of the occupant seated in the passenger seat by inflating and deploying the bag portion. An arrangement structure,
The knee protection airbag device is disposed below the air conditioning unit so that at least a part of the knee protection airbag device overlaps the air conditioning unit in plan view, and the vehicle The bag portion is configured to inflate and deploy to the vehicle rear side of the storage box through the lower side of the storage box at the time of a collision,
A dash panel extending in the vehicle width direction is provided on the vehicle front side of the air conditioning unit,
The temperature control unit is provided with a plurality of air conditioning pipes for supplying and discharging the heat medium to and from the heat exchanger,
At least some of the plurality of air conditioning pipes extend in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle front side of the knee protection airbag device, and overlap with the knee protection airbag device in the vehicle width direction, An occupant protection device arrangement structure, wherein the occupant protection device is arranged so as to penetrate a dash panel of the vehicle. In the arrangement structure of the occupant protection device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The blower has a drive motor that drives the impeller,
The drive motor is provided on the front side of the knee protection airbag device so that at least a part of the motor case of the drive motor overlaps with the knee protection airbag device when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle. An occupant protection device arrangement structure. In the arrangement structure of the occupant protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The storage box is configured to be rotatable around a rotation shaft provided to extend in the vehicle width direction at the lower end of the storage box,
The occupant protection device arrangement structure, wherein the knee protection airbag device is arranged to be positioned in front of the vehicle with respect to the rotation shaft of the storage box.

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