JPH1029484A - Vehicle occupant protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle occupant protection device in which a knee of the occupant, in particular, is prevented from being abutted against a rigid part in a compartment during a crushing of the vehicle and then a protection of the occupant is promoted. SOLUTION: A protection pad section 1 comprising a knee pad panel 10 and a pad plate 11 covering an opening in the panel 10 is installed at a meter cluster panel of an instrument panel. Within the knee pad panel 10 are placed boss 13, 14 or vertical rib 15 and lateral ribs 16, 17 or the like for absorbing a crushing force while being damaged during the crushing. In addition, the knee pad panel 10 is formed with a curved surface 12 or a slant surface to cause the knee to be moved along this curved surface during its crushing state so as to mitigate an impact force added to the knee.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection system, and more particularly to a vehicle occupant protection system, in which a vehicle occupant's knee may be damaged by hitting a solid portion such as a rear end of a clutch master cylinder or a brake master cylinder. The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection device having a simple structure for preventing occupants.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Seat belts and airbags are used as means for protecting occupants in the event of a collision or the like. Of course, these protectors effectively protect the occupant in the event of a collision, but these protectors should be used around the occupant's knee especially when the impact force is relatively small so as not to affect life. However, there is a problem that it hits a solid portion. 11 to 14 show the situation.

FIG. 11 shows the front side of the driver's seat of a cab of a vehicle.
The instrument panel 8 shown in FIG. The instrument panel 8 is reinforced by a reinforcement 9 shown in FIG. The instrument panel 8 has a complicated shape so that various kinds of equipment can be attached as shown in the figure, but an opening 46 is formed on the right side of the figure, and the meter cluster panel 3 is formed in the opening 46. Are detachably connected.

The meter cluster panel 3 comprises an upper opening 7 on which a meter (not shown) is mounted, and a claw 4 formed below the meter, as shown in FIG. 6 and both ends 5 are formed. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a switch mounting panel 50 and a decorative panel 51 are mounted on both ends 5. The steering cowl 42 and the like pass through the space 6 sandwiched between the switch mounting panel 50 and the decorative panel 51.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, a clutch master back 32 and a brake master back 33 are fixed to the reinforcement 9 via a clutch bracket and a brake bracket. The clutch master back 32 and the brake master back 33 are provided with a clutch master cylinder 34 and a brake master cylinder 35 protruding from the rear side thereof, and a clutch pedal support bracket 36 and a brake pedal support bracket 37 are provided on the front side with the front panel 29 side. It is arranged to protrude toward.

As shown in FIG. 12, the rear end face of the clutch master cylinder 34 is provided with the switch mounting panel 50 described above.
The rear end face of the brake master cylinder 35 is disposed at an appropriate distance from the decorative panel 51. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the knee 49 of the occupant 47 sitting in the driver's seat is arranged at a position facing the switch mounting panel 50 and the makeup panel 51. 12 and 14, when the center of both knees is aligned with a position facing the steering cowl 42, the switch mounting panel 50 is wider than the decorative panel 51 in the vehicle width direction. It is usually placed away from the knee,
The knee 49 is usually arranged at a position where it can come into contact with the lower surface of the switch mounting panel 50 or the decorative panel 51. As shown in FIG. 12, the steering cowl 42 and the like are connected to a clutch bracket and a brake bracket via a steering support bracket 43 and a bracket support member 44.

The above-mentioned prior art meter cluster panel 3
The surrounding structure has the following problems at the time of a vehicle collision. The front panel 29 is pressed by the collision, and the clutch master back 32, the brake master back 33, and the like retreat accordingly. On the other hand, the occupant 47 moves forward by inertia force. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the knee 49 of the occupant 47 moves forward, and both knees hit the switch mounting panel 50 and the makeup panel 51, respectively. On the other hand, as described above, the switch mounting panel 50
The clutch master cylinder 32 and the brake master cylinder 3 of the clutch master back 32 and the brake master back 33 are located at positions facing the makeup panel 51.
5 and the switch mounting panel 5
0 and the decorative panel 51. As a result, the knee 49 may collide with a hard solid portion such as the clutch master cylinder 34 and the brake master cylinder 35, and may receive a strong impact force. Of course, the impact is reduced by wearing the seat belt, but the protection is insufficient due to the degree of collision.

On the other hand, as one of the known techniques for solving the above problems, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Hei 7-31516 is known. This "vehicle knee protector" has an arcuate guide panel portion (6) in a space between a hard interference member (2) such as a clutch master cylinder or a brake master cylinder and a leg (K) of an occupant. A knee protector having a deformable panel portion (10) having a low deformation strength is disposed inside the deformable panel portion (10), and the impact force of the interference member (2) is absorbed by the deformable panel portion (10) at the time of collision and the leg (K) is formed. It is moved in the vehicle width direction (outward) along the curve of the arcuate guide panel portion (6) to prevent collision between the leg portion (K) and the interference member (2).

[0009]

As described above, when no knee protector is interposed between the meter cluster panel 3 and the knee 49 of the occupant 47, the knee of the meter cluster panel 3 is not controlled by the intensity of the collision. There is a problem that a collision with the knee 49 occurs. Further, in the case of the above-described known technique, the collision between the leg (K) and the interference member (2) is reduced by the knee protector, but there are the following problems. First, the guide panel (6) and leg (K) of this knee protector
Although not shown in the drawing, a meter cluster panel as described above intervenes between the two. Therefore, the leg (K) does not directly contact the guide panel (6) but contacts the meter cluster panel. For this reason, a collision between the leg (K) and the meter cluster panel is inevitable. Further, in the description of this known technique, the leg (K) escapes in the vehicle width direction due to the contact between the leg (K) and the guide panel (6). However, as described above, the meter cluster panel is interposed therebetween. Therefore, it is practically impossible for the leg (K) to smoothly escape in the vehicle width direction. Further, as described above, the solid portion (interference) that can be brought into contact with the leg (K) side is not limited to the clutch master cylinder and the brake master cylinder, but also includes the reinforcement of the instrument panel. However, this known knee protector does not consider interference with the reinforce.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is intended to sufficiently absorb and mitigate the collision force, to prevent a collision between the occupant's knee and a solid portion, and to protect the knee. Provided is a vehicle occupant protection device having a simple structure in which a knee can be moved in a vehicle width direction (outward) at the time of a collision to reduce a collision force between the knee and a solid portion side and further reduce damage on an instrument panel side. The purpose is to do.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a meter cluster panel formed on an instrument panel reinforced with a reinforce and having both ends of a space through which a steering cowl passes through a steering cowl. An occupant protection device comprising: a protection pad member mounted on an outer surface of the meter cluster panel, the protection pad member forming a curved surface portion protruding on a surface side facing the occupant's knee. A knee pad of a soft material, a pad of a hard material covering an opening side of the knee pad, a plurality of bosses of a soft material provided between the plate and the knee pad, and the knee pad panel The vehicle occupant protection device comprises a vertical and horizontal ribs of soft material integrally formed therein. More specifically, the curved portion of the knee pad panel has a curved surface that bulges toward the occupant from the lower surface to the upper surface, and the lower surface of the curved portion is disposed at a position substantially opposed to the knee. Wherein the curved surface portion of at least one of the knee pad panels forms a downwardly inclined surface that urges the knee in contact with the curved surface portion to open outward. I do. The boss and the abutment plate to which the vertical and horizontal ribs are connected and abutted are located at substantially the same intervals as the rear ends of the reinforce, clutch master cylinder, and brake master cylinder which are disposed opposite to the corresponding plate. Is characterized by being arranged in a.

[0012] Due to the collision, the reinforcement and the rear ends of the clutch master cylinder and the brake master cylinder hit the backing plate sides of the protective pad members mounted on both ends of the meter cluster panel. On the other hand, the occupant's knee hits the curved portion of the knee pad panel. These pressing forces deform the horizontal ribs and the vertical ribs of the protection pad member, and the boss is bent.
For this reason, the collision force is absorbed and alleviated, and the knee is protected. Further, at least one of the protective pad members is formed with an inclined surface so that the curved surface portion and the knee come into contact with each other so that the knee escapes in the vehicle width direction (outward).
Further, the collision force applied to the knee is reduced. In addition, since the abutment plate is arranged so as to simultaneously contact the rear ends of the reinforce, the clutch master cylinder, and the rear end of the brake master cylinder, the collision force is uniformly reduced.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle occupant protection system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. First, a cab structure around the protection pad member of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8, a front panel 29 and a main pillar 30 are connected to a front frame 27 and a front mounting rail 28 which form a skeleton of the cab. The front mounting rail 28 and the main pillar 30
Is connected to the floor panel 31. The instrument panel 8 is connected to the front frame 27 side and is reinforced and supported by the reinforcement 9. The main pillar 30 supports a clutch master back 32 (FIG. 9) and a brake master back 33. As shown in FIG. 9, a clutch master cylinder 34 and a brake master cylinder 35 are connected behind the clutch master back 32 and the brake master back 33, and a clutch pedal support bracket 36 and a brake pedal support bracket 37 are provided forward. Be linked. These also support a clutch pedal 38 and a brake pedal 39. As shown in FIG. 9, the clutch master back 32 and the brake master back 33 are supported by a clutch bracket and a brake bracket, and a bracket support member is provided between the clutch master back 32 and the steering support bracket 43 for holding the steering cowl 42. 44
Is erected. The steering support bracket 43 that holds the steering shaft 45, the steering cowl 42, and the like has its lower surface fixed to the floor panel 31 side.

[0014] As shown in FIG.
The instrument panel 8 reinforced with
Is formed, and the meter cluster panel 3 is detachably attached to the opening 46.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, the meter cluster panel 3 includes an upper opening 7 on which a not-shown meter is mounted and a claw 4 formed below the opening. The space 4 and both ends 5 are formed in the portion 4. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the left side of both ends 5 is referred to as a left end 5a, and the right side is referred to as a right end 5b. Left end 5a
, A protective pad member 1 which is a main component of the present invention is detachably mounted, and a protective pad member 2 which is also a main component of the present invention is detachably mounted on the right end 5b. As shown in FIG. 10, the space 6 is a space through which the steering cowl 42 and the steering support bracket 43 shown in FIG. 8 pass, and the protection pad members 1 and 2 are arranged at positions sandwiching these. .

As shown in FIG. 9, rear ends 34a, 35a of a clutch master cylinder 34 and a brake master cylinder 35 are arranged on the front side of the vehicle opposite to the left end 5a and the right end 5b. The rear end face 9a of the reinforcement 9 is arranged (FIG. 8). Further, behind the left end 5a and the right end 5b, knees 49 of legs 48 of the occupant 47 (FIG. 14) are arranged at positions facing each other. For convenience of explanation, the left knee 49 is called a left knee 49a, and the right knee 49 is called a right knee 49b. Although not clearly shown in FIG. 9, when the steering cowl 42 is centered, the clutch master cylinder 34 is disposed at a position slightly distant from the center in the vehicle width direction with respect to the brake master cylinder 35 in the vehicle layout. The rear end 35a of the cylinder 35 is arranged at a position substantially opposite to the right knee 49b, while the rear end 34a of the clutch master cylinder 34 is arranged at a position slightly shifted from the left knee 49a.

Next, the detailed structure of the protection pad members 1 and 2 will be described. First, the structure of the protection pad member 1 is shown in FIG.
The structure of the protective pad member 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, and then with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the protection pad member 1
And is disposed on the clutch device side. The protective pad member 1 includes a box-shaped knee pad panel 10 having an opening on one side, and a pad plate 11 covering the opening. The knee pad panel 10 has a box shape in which a curved surface portion 12 is formed on the front surface side and a flange portion 23 is formed on the opening side. This knee pad 10
Is a pair of long and short bosses 13, as shown in FIG.
14, vertical ribs 15, 15 are formed between the pair of bosses 13, 13 and between the pair of bosses 14, 14, as shown in FIGS. Long and short horizontal ribs 16, 17 intersecting with the vertical ribs 15,
(Shown in FIG. 6) is formed. That is, the horizontal ribs 16,
17 is installed between the vertical ribs 15, 15 with both ends protruding from the side surfaces of the vertical ribs 15, 15. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, slits 24 each having an appropriate depth are formed in a plurality of locations (two locations in the drawing) in each vertical rib 15.

On the other hand, the backing plate 11 is composed of the upper plate 18 and the bent portion 2.
It comprises an upper plate 18 and a lower plate 19 connected in a stepped manner via a zero. At the time of connection with the knee pad panel 10, the pad 1
1, the upper plate 18 is in contact with the long boss 13 and the lower plate 19 is in contact with the short boss 14 as shown in FIG. In addition, a through hole 21 is provided in the backing plate 11, and the backing plate 11 is fixed to the respective bosses 13 and 14 on the side of the knee backing panel 10 by screws 22 passing through the through hole 21 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. You. In this state, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
The end faces 6 and 17 abut against the backing plate 11.

In this embodiment, the curved portion 12 of the knee pad panel 10 has a curved surface swelling from the lower surface toward the upper surface, and the upper surface has a flat surface 25 of an appropriate size for mounting switches (not shown). Is formed. FIG. 8 shows an outline of an attached state of the protective pad member 1 having the above structure.
That is, the flange portion 23 of the knee pad panel 10 is connected to the left end 5a of the meter cluster panel 3 of the instrument panel 8. In this state, the upper plate 18 of the backing plate 11
And the rear end surface 9a of the reinforcement 9 are arranged apart by a distance [delta] _1, the lower plate 19 of the caul plate 11 is spaced apart by a rear end portion 34a and the distance [delta] ₂ of the clutch master cylinder 34. Note that consists substantially the same size as the interval [delta] ₁ and interval [delta] _2. Further, the curved surface portion 12 of the knee pad panel 10 is disposed at a position where the lower surface side is substantially opposed to the left knee 49a.

Next, the other protective pad member 2 will be described. The protection pad member 2 is a meter cluster panel 3
Is mounted on the right end portion 5b of the vehicle and is disposed on the brake device side. The protective pad member 2 includes a box-shaped knee pad 10a having an opening on one side, and a pad 11a covering the opening. The knee pad panel 10a has a curved surface portion 12a formed on the front surface side and a flange portion 23a formed on the opening side. The curved surface portion 12a has a different shape from the curved surface portion 12 of the knee pad panel 10, and the inclined surface 2 is inclined downward from the left side to the right side in the figure.
6 are formed vertically, the inclined end of the inclined surface 26 is connected to the flange portion 23a, and a flat surface 25a having a small area is formed on the upper end side of the inclined surface 26. The knee pad panel 1
Reference numeral 0a is different from the above-mentioned knee pad panel 10 in that it is almost vertically symmetrical.

Inside the knee pad panel 10a, bosses 13a and 14a having substantially the same length are provided vertically and vertically ribs 15a and 14b are provided.
a is installed up and down. The horizontal ribs 16a are supported by the vertical ribs 15a in a crossed manner. The horizontal ribs 16a are of substantially the same shape in the upper and lower portions, and are formed of the inclined surface 26 of the curved surface portion 12a.
Of a shape along the line.

On the other hand, the backing plate 11a is made of a flat plate member, and is connected to the bosses 13a and 14a by screws 22a passing through the through holes 21a as shown in FIGS. Although not shown, the protective pad member 2 having the above structure is mounted by connecting the flange portion 23a to the right end 5b of the meter cluster panel 3. In this state, the backing plate 11a is disposed at a position substantially apart from the rear end surface (not shown) of the reinforcement 9 by a distance substantially equal to the rear end portion 35a of the brake master cylinder 35.

In the above description, the knee pad panel 10,
10a, bosses 13, 14, 13a, 14a, vertical rib 1
5, 15a and the horizontal ribs 16, 17, 16a are all made of a soft material, for example, a resin material, and the backing plates 11, 11a are made of a hard material, for example, an iron plate.

Next, the engagement state of the occupant 47 with the leg portion 48 at the time of a collision according to the present invention will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. When the front panel 29 is pressed by the collision, the instrument panel 8, the reinforcement 9, the main pillar 30, and the like connected to the front panel 29 are pushed rearward. Accordingly, the clutch master back 32 and the brake master back 33 are also pushed rearward. On the other hand, the occupant 47 moves forward due to the inertial force at the time of the collision. As a result, the protection pad members 1,
The rear end face 9 of the reinforcement 9 is attached to the backing plates 11 and 11a.
a and the rear ends 34a and 35a of the clutch master cylinder 34 and the brake master cylinder 35, and the left knee 49a and the right knee 49b hit the knee pads 10 and 10a of the protection pad members 1 and 2 and are further pressed. Therefore, as shown by the dotted line in FIG.
a, the protective pad member 2 is moved to the right knee 49b.
The right knee 49b is pushed out in the vehicle width direction (outward) along the inclined surface 26 as shown by the dotted line in FIG. As described above, the protective pad members 1,
The knee 49 is protected by absorption of the collision force due to the crushing of 2 and lateral displacement of the knee 49. Further, the collision force does not directly act on the instrument panel 8 side, so that the instrument panel 8 side is also prevented from being damaged, and the entire instrument panel 8 does not need to be replaced.

Next, the action of absorbing the collision force of the protection pad members 1 and 2 will be described in detail. In addition, the pad member 1 for protection
And the protection pad member 2 is different in that the former absorbs the collision force while hitting the left knee 49a almost straight, while the latter absorbs the collision force while escaping the right knee 49b outward. Are the bosses 13 in the knee pad panels 10 and 10a,
14, 13a, 14a, vertical ribs 15, 15a, horizontal rib 1
The destruction states of 6, 17, 16a are almost the same, and only the protection pad member 1 of FIG. 3 will be described. The left knee 49a hits the lower surface side of the curved surface portion 12 of the knee pad panel 10 and the curved surface portion 1
When 2 is pressed, the left knee 49a acts so as to push up the curved surface portion 12 from the lower surface side to the upper surface side. As a result, the horizontal ribs 17 and 16 buckle upward from below, and accordingly, the vertical ribs 15 are obliquely deformed. As a result, the bosses 13 and 14 are bent from the base. As described above, the collision energy is absorbed. The above boss 13,1
4, 13a, 14a, vertical ribs 15, 15a, horizontal rib 1
The collision energy can be effectively absorbed by appropriately setting the material, shape, number and the like of the components such as 6, 17, 16a. Further, as described above, since the intervals δ ₁ and δ ₂ shown in FIG. 8 are almost the same size, the respective portions of the protection pad members 1 and 2 are simultaneously deformed. Also, in the case of this example, unlike the above-mentioned known technology, the protection pad member 2 and the right knee 49b directly hit, and the right knee 49b is
6 smoothly escapes outward.

[0027]

【The invention's effect】

1) According to the occupant protection device for a vehicle according to the first aspect of the present invention, a protective pad in which interference at the time of collision between a solid portion such as a clutch master cylinder or a brake master cylinder and a knee is provided therebetween. The effect is prevented by the member, and the knee is safely protected by absorbing the collision force of the protection pad member. The protective pad member is made of a soft material boss, vertical and horizontal ribs, and the like, and the impact force can be freely absorbed by selecting the shape, the number, and the like. 2) According to the occupant protection device for a vehicle according to the second aspect of the present invention, the curved surface portion is formed on the knee pad panel that hits the knee, and the curved surface portion is bulged from the lower surface to the upper surface. That is, at the time of collision, the knee smoothly moves along the curved surface shape, and the internal boss, the vertical and horizontal ribs and other cushioning members can be effectively broken, and the collision force can be effectively absorbed. 3) According to the vehicle occupant protection device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the inclined surface is formed on the knee pad panel so that the knee is released to the outside in the event of a collision, and the influence of the collision force of the knee is further reduced. Be relaxed. 4) According to the vehicle occupant protection device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the interval before the collision between the protection pad member and the solid parts such as the rain force, the clutch master cylinder, and the brake master cylinder is uniform, The protective pad member simultaneously hits these solid portions, and can absorb a uniform impact force. 5) The structure is simple and can be implemented at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the shape of a protection pad member of the present invention and a meter cluster panel in which the same is installed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the protection pad member on one side of the present invention, which is divided and displayed.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view showing an assembled state of the protective pad member shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the protection pad member on the other side of the present invention, which is divided and displayed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the protection pad member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view passing through the boss of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view passing through a vertical rib in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a side view showing an attached state of a protection pad member of the present invention and a schematic structure of a cab of a vehicle around the protection pad member.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an engagement state between the protection pad member of the present invention and a steering cowl and the like.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the shapes of an instrument panel and a meter cluster panel connected to the instrument panel.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a state of engagement with a cab side during a conventional collision around a knee.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an engagement state between a conventional meter cluster panel and a steering cowl.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an engagement state at the time of a collision between a conventional meter cluster panel and an occupant's knee.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Protective pad member 2 Protective pad member 3 Meter cluster panel 4 Claw part 5 Both ends 5a Left end 5b Right end 6 Space part 7 Opening part 8 Instrument panel 9 Reinforce 9a Rear end face 10 Knee pad panel 10a Knee Backing panel 11 Backing plate 11a Backing plate 12 Curved surface portion 12a Curved surface portion 13 Boss 13a Boss 14 Boss 14a Boss 15 Vertical rib 15a Vertical rib 16 Horizontal rib 16a Horizontal rib 17 Horizontal rib 18 Upper plate 19 Lower plate 20 Bent portion 21 Through hole 21a Through hole 22 Screw 22a Screw 23 Flange 23a Flange 24 Slit 25 Flat surface 25a Flat surface 26 Inclined surface 27 Front frame 28 Front mount rail 29 Front panel 30 Main pillar 31 Floor panel 32 Clutch master back 33 Brake master back 34 clutch master cylinder 34a rear end 35 brake master cylinder 35a rear end 42 steering cowl 43 steering support bracket 46 opening 47 occupant 48 leg 49 knee 49a left knee 49b right knee 50 switch mounting panel 51 decorative panel

Claims (4)

[Claims] An occupant protection device comprising: a protection pad member attached to both ends of a space through which a steering cowl of a meter cluster panel formed on an instrument panel reinforced by reinforcement is provided. The protective pad member is mounted on an outer surface of the meter cluster panel, and covers a knee pad panel of a soft material forming a curved surface portion protruding on a surface side facing the knee of the occupant, and covers an opening side of the knee pad panel. It is composed of a hard material backing plate, a plurality of soft material bosses installed between the corresponding plate and the knee backing panel, and soft material vertical and horizontal ribs integrally formed in the knee backing panel. An occupant protection device for a vehicle. 2. A curved surface portion of the knee pad panel is formed of a curved surface which bulges toward the occupant from a lower surface side to an upper surface side, and is disposed at a position where the lower surface side of the curved surface portion is substantially opposed to the knee. The vehicle occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein 3. At least one of said knee pad panels
2. The occupant protection system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the two curved surface portions form a downwardly inclined surface that biases the knee in contact with the curved surface portions in a direction to push outward. 4. The boss and the abutment plate to which the vertical and horizontal ribs are connected and abutted are spaced substantially at the same intervals as the rear ends of the reinforce, clutch master cylinder and brake master cylinder disposed opposite to the corresponding plate. The occupant protection device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the occupant protection device is disposed at a separated position.