JP2005193819A - Knee protective air bag device - Google Patents

Knee protective air bag device Download PDF

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Publication number
JP2005193819A
JP2005193819A JP2004003220A JP2004003220A JP2005193819A JP 2005193819 A JP2005193819 A JP 2005193819A JP 2004003220 A JP2004003220 A JP 2004003220A JP 2004003220 A JP2004003220 A JP 2004003220A JP 2005193819 A JP2005193819 A JP 2005193819A
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airbag
protective
expansion
key
knee
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Yoshio Mizuno
喜夫 水野
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Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
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Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/203—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in steering wheels or steering columns
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/205—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in dashboards
    • B60R21/206—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in dashboards in the lower part of dashboards, e.g. for protecting the knees

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a knee protective air bag device capable of preventing interference between a protective inflatable part and a key accessory for protecting knees in an air bag. <P>SOLUTION: In this knee protective air bag device S1, the folded air bag 40 projects from a case 13 arranged under a steering column 2 on the front side of a driver D when inflating gas flows in. The air bag 40 completed with unfolding and inflation, protects the knees K of the driver D by the protective inflatable part 48. The air bag 40 has an auxiliary inflatable part 49 as an interference preventive means in the vicinity of the upper edge 40a side so as to be capable of preventing the interference between the protective inflatable part 48 and the accessory A of a key E inserted into a key cylinder 6. The auxiliary inflatable part 49 is extended from the protective inflatable part 48 for making the inflating gas flow in from the protective inflatable part 48 by arranging a communicating port 49a squeezed in the opening area, and is interposed between the protective inflatable part 48 and the key accessory A when the air bag 40 unfolds and inflates. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明は、膨張用ガスを流入させて展開膨張するエアバッグが、運転者の膝を保護可能な膝保護用エアバッグ装置に関する。   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.

従来、運転者の膝を保護する膝保護用エアバッグ装置は、折り畳まれたエアバッグが、運転者の前方側に配置されたケースに収納保持されていた。そして、エアバッグは、膨張用ガスの流入時、ステアリングコラムの下面に沿うように上昇しつつ、展開膨張を完了させて、運転者の膝を保護可能としていた。さらに、エアバッグは、展開膨張完了時に、キーシリンダ付近の領域の車両後方側を覆う膨張部位を、上縁側の左右方向の角部付近に、備えていた（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
国際公開第０２／０４２６１号パンフレット Conventionally, in a knee protection airbag device that protects a driver's knee, a folded airbag is stored and held in a case disposed on the front side of the driver. When the inflation gas flows in, the airbag rises along the lower surface of the steering column and completes the deployment and inflation to protect the driver's knee. Furthermore, the airbag is provided with an inflated portion that covers the rear side of the vehicle in the region near the key cylinder when the inflating and inflating is completed, in the vicinity of the corner in the left-right direction on the upper edge side (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
International Publication No. 02/04261 Pamphlet

しかし、従来の膝保護用エアバッグ装置では、キーシリンダに差し込まれたキーに、様々なサブキーやアクセサリー等のキー付属品が吊り下げられている場合がある。そして、その場合には、エアバッグが展開膨張すると、キー付属品の下端側がエアバッグの膨張部位に接触して、エアバッグが傷付けられる虞れが生ずる。   However, in conventional knee protection airbag devices, key accessories such as various subkeys and accessories may be suspended from the key inserted into the key cylinder. In this case, when the airbag is deployed and inflated, the lower end side of the key accessory comes into contact with the inflated portion of the airbag, and the airbag may be damaged.

本発明は、上述の課題を解決するもので、エアバッグにおける膝を保護する保護膨張部とキー付属品との干渉を防止可能な膝保護用エアバッグ装置を提供することを目的とする。   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a knee protection airbag device capable of preventing interference between a protective inflating portion for protecting a knee in an airbag and a key accessory.

本発明に係る第１番目の膝保護エアバッグ装置は、折り畳まれたエアバッグが、
運転者の前方側におけるステアリングコラムの下方に配置されたケースに収納保持され、膨張用ガスの流入時、ケースから車両後方側へ突出するとともに上昇しつつ展開膨張を完了させて、保護膨張部により、運転者の膝を保護可能とし、
さらに、保護膨張部とキーシリンダに挿入されたキーの付属品との干渉を防止する干渉防止手段を、上縁側付近に備えて、
構成されている膝保護用エアバッグ装置であって、
干渉防止手段が、開口面積を絞られた連通口を設けて保護膨張部から膨張用ガスを流入可能に、保護膨張部から延設されて、エアバッグの展開膨張時に、保護膨張部とキー付属品との間に介在される補助膨張部により、構成されていることを特徴とする。 The first knee protection airbag device according to the present invention is a folded airbag,
It is housed and held in a case arranged below the steering column on the front side of the driver, and when the inflating gas flows in, it projects from the case to the rear side of the vehicle and rises and completes the expansion and expansion by the protective expansion part. The driver ’s knees can be protected,
Furthermore, an interference prevention means for preventing interference between the protective expansion portion and the key accessory inserted in the key cylinder is provided near the upper edge side,
A knee protection airbag device configured,
Interference prevention means is provided with a communication port with a reduced opening area so that inflation gas can flow in from the protective inflatable part, and is extended from the protective inflatable part. It is comprised by the auxiliary | assistant expansion | swelling part interposed between goods.

本発明に係る第１番目の膝保護用エアバッグ装置では、エアバッグが、膨張用ガスを流入させて、ケースから車両後方側へ突出するとともに上昇しつつ展開する際、膝を保護可能な保護膨張部は、キー付属品と接触せず、干渉防止手段としての補助膨張部が、保護膨張部からの膨張用ガスを流入させて膨張し、キーシリンダに挿入したキーから垂れたキー付属品に対して干渉する。そして、補助膨張部がキー付属品と干渉する際、補助膨張部は、キー付属品の下端側を弾いて、エアバッグからキー付属品を離すように移動させて保護膨張部がキー付属品から傷付けられないようにしたり、あるいは、キー付属品によって傷付けられるように干渉する場合がある。しかし、キー付属品に傷付けられても、補助膨張部は、保護膨張部との間の連通口を絞っているため、傷付けられた部位からの膨張用ガスの外部への漏れを抑えることができて、保護膨張部の内圧を急激に低下させることを防止でき、保護膨張部による膝の保護を阻害しない。   In the first knee protecting airbag device according to the present invention, the airbag protects the knee when the airbag is inflated and protrudes from the case to the vehicle rear side and is deployed while being raised. The expansion part does not come into contact with the key accessory, and the auxiliary expansion part as an interference preventing means expands by inflating the expansion gas from the protective expansion part, and the key accessory is hung from the key inserted in the key cylinder. Interfere with. When the auxiliary inflating part interferes with the key accessory, the auxiliary inflating part flips the lower end side of the key accessory and moves the key accessory away from the airbag so that the protective inflating part is separated from the key accessory. There are cases where it will not be scratched, or it may interfere so as to be scratched by the key accessory. However, even if the key accessory is damaged, the auxiliary expansion part restricts the communication port with the protective expansion part, so it is possible to suppress leakage of expansion gas from the damaged part to the outside. Thus, it is possible to prevent the internal pressure of the protective inflating portion from rapidly decreasing, and the protection of the knee by the protective inflating portion is not inhibited.

したがって、本発明に係る第１番目の膝保護用エアバッグ装置では、エアバッグにおける膝を保護する保護膨張部とキー付属品との干渉を防止して、運転者の膝を、エアバッグにおける膨張した保護膨張部により、的確に保護することができる。   Therefore, in the first knee protecting airbag device according to the present invention, the interference between the protective inflating portion for protecting the knee in the airbag and the key accessory is prevented, and the driver's knee is inflated in the airbag. It can protect exactly by the protected expansion | swelling part.

また、干渉防止手段が、エアバッグ自体に設けられており、キー付属品からの傷付け防止対策を、エアバッグ自体で簡便に対処することができる。   Moreover, the interference prevention means is provided in the airbag itself, and the countermeasure against damage from the key accessory can be easily dealt with by the airbag itself.

本発明に係る第２番目の膝保護用エアバッグ装置は、折り畳まれたエアバッグが、
運転者の前方側におけるステアリングコラムの下方に配置されたケースに収納保持され、膨張用ガスの流入時、ケースから車両後方側へ突出するとともに上昇しつつ展開膨張を完了させて、保護膨張部により、運転者の膝を保護可能とし、
さらに、保護膨張部とキーシリンダに挿入されたキーの付属品との干渉を防止する干渉防止手段を、上縁側付近に備えて、
構成されている膝保護用エアバッグ装置であって、
干渉防止手段が、膨張完了時のエアバッグの上縁側から凹むように配設されて、展開膨張時の保護膨張部とキー付属品との接触を不能とする干渉防止凹部により、構成されている。 In the second knee protecting airbag device according to the present invention, the folded airbag is
It is housed and held in a case arranged below the steering column on the front side of the driver, and when the inflating gas flows in, it projects from the case to the rear side of the vehicle and rises and completes the expansion and expansion by the protective expansion part. The driver ’s knees can be protected,
Furthermore, an interference prevention means for preventing interference between the protective expansion portion and the key accessory inserted in the key cylinder is provided near the upper edge side,
A knee protection airbag device configured,
The interference prevention means is configured to be recessed from the upper edge side of the airbag when the inflation is completed, and is configured by an interference prevention recessed portion that makes it impossible to contact the protective inflation portion and the key accessory during deployment. .

本発明に係る第２番目の膝保護用エアバッグ装置では、エアバッグの展開膨張時、干渉防止手段としての干渉防止凹部の部位に、キー付属品が配置されて、エアバッグの保護膨張部とキー付属品とが干渉しないことから、エアバッグの保護膨張部がキー付属品から傷付けられず、運転者の膝を、膨張したエアバッグの保護膨張部により、的確に保護することができる。   In the second knee protecting airbag device according to the present invention, when the airbag is deployed and inflated, a key accessory is disposed in a portion of the interference preventing recess as the interference preventing means, Since there is no interference with the key accessory, the protective inflating portion of the airbag is not damaged from the key accessory, and the driver's knee can be accurately protected by the protective inflating portion of the inflated airbag.

なお、この第２番目の膝保護用エアバッグ装置でも、干渉防止手段が、エアバッグ自体に設けられており、キー付属品からの傷付け防止対策を、エアバッグ自体で簡便に対処することができる。   In the second knee protection airbag device, the interference prevention means is also provided in the airbag itself, and the damage prevention measures from the key accessory can be easily dealt with by the airbag itself. .

以下、本発明の一実施形態を図面に基づいて説明すると、第１実施形態の膝保護用エアバッグ装置Ｓ１は、図１・１０・１１に示すように、運転者Ｄの膝Ｋを保護できるように、運転者Ｄの車両前方側であるステアリングコラム２の下方に配設されている。   DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A knee protecting airbag device S1 according to a first embodiment can protect a knee K of a driver D as shown in FIGS. Thus, the vehicle is disposed below the steering column 2 on the front side of the vehicle of the driver D.

なお、本明細書での上下・前後・左右の関係は、エアバッグ装置Ｓ１が車両に搭載された状態を基準とするもので、搭載時の車両の上下・前後・左右の関係と一致するものである。   The vertical / front / rear / left / right relationship in this specification is based on the state in which the airbag device S1 is mounted on the vehicle, and is consistent with the vertical / front / rear / left / right relationship of the vehicle when mounted. It is.

ステアリングコラム２は、図１に示すように、ステアリングホイール１に連結されるメインシャフト３と、メインシャフト３の周囲を覆うコラムチューブ４と、それらの周囲を覆うコラムカバー５と、を備えて構成されている。   As shown in FIG. 1, the steering column 2 includes a main shaft 3 coupled to the steering wheel 1, a column tube 4 covering the periphery of the main shaft 3, and a column cover 5 covering the periphery thereof. Has been.

コラムカバー５は、略四角筒形状等の合成樹脂製として、ステアリングホイール１の下方のメインシャフト３やコラムチューブ４を覆うように、メインシャフト３の軸方向に沿って配設されている。コラムカバー５は、インストルメントパネル（以下、インパネとする）１０から斜め上後方に突出するように、配設されている。そして、コラムカバー５の右側面５ｃには、エンジン始動用のイグニッションキーＥを挿入させるキーシリンダ６が配設されている。なお、実施形態の場合、キーシリンダ６に挿入されたイグニッションキーＥには、接続環等の接続具Ｊを使用して、サブキー等の付属品（キー付属品）Ａが、垂れ下がるように接続されている。   The column cover 5 is made of a synthetic resin having a substantially rectangular tube shape or the like, and is disposed along the axial direction of the main shaft 3 so as to cover the main shaft 3 and the column tube 4 below the steering wheel 1. The column cover 5 is disposed so as to protrude obliquely upward and rearward from an instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as instrument panel) 10. A key cylinder 6 for inserting an ignition key E for starting the engine is disposed on the right side surface 5c of the column cover 5. In the case of the embodiment, an accessory (key accessory) A such as a sub key is connected to the ignition key E inserted into the key cylinder 6 by using a connecting tool J such as a connecting ring so as to hang down. ing.

膝保護用エアバッグ装置Ｓ１は、折り畳まれたエアバッグ４０、エアバッグ４０に膨張用ガスを供給するインフレーター２１、折り畳まれたエアバッグ４０とインフレーター２１とを収納するとともに車両後方側を開口させたケース１３、及び、ケース１３の車両後方側を覆うエアバッグカバー２９、を備えて構成されている。   The knee protection airbag device S1 stores the folded airbag 40, the inflator 21 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 40, the folded airbag 40 and the inflator 21, and opens the vehicle rear side. A case 13 and an airbag cover 29 that covers the vehicle rear side of the case 13 are provided.

ケース１３は、図１〜３に示すように、板金製として、ステアリングコラム２の下方側に配置されており、略四角筒形状の周壁部１４と、周壁部１４の車両前方側を塞ぐ底壁部１７と、を備えるとともに、車両後方側に略長方形形状の開口１３ａを備えて、構成されている。そして、ケース１３の周壁部１４における上下で対向する壁部１４ａ・１４ｂの外表面側には、それぞれ、エアバッグカバー２９の側壁部３１・３２をケース１３に組み付けるための複数の係止部１５（１５Ｕ・１５Ｄ）が、配設されている。   As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the case 13 is made of sheet metal and is arranged on the lower side of the steering column 2. The case 13 has a substantially square cylindrical peripheral wall portion 14 and a bottom wall that closes the vehicle front side of the peripheral wall portion 14. And a substantially rectangular opening 13a on the vehicle rear side. A plurality of locking portions 15 for assembling the side wall portions 31 and 32 of the airbag cover 29 to the case 13 are respectively provided on the outer surface sides of the wall portions 14 a and 14 b facing the top and bottom of the peripheral wall portion 14 of the case 13. (15U · 15D) are provided.

上方側の壁部１４ａの外表面側に配設される係止部１５Ｕは、エアバッグカバー２９の上側壁部３１の係止孔３１ａに挿入されて係止孔３１ａの周縁を係止可能な係止フックとして構成されている。係止フック１５Ｕは、上側壁部３１の係止孔３１ａに対応して、車両の左右方向に沿って複数配設されている。係止部１５Ｄは、エアバッグカバー２９の下側壁部３２の係止孔３２ａに挿入可能な係止突起として構成され、この係止突起１５Ｄも、下側壁部３２の係止孔３２ａに対応して、車両の左右方向に沿って複数配設されている。そして、各係止突起１５Ｄには、係止孔３２ａへの挿入後の係止孔３２ａからの抜け止めを図る閂材１６が、挿入されている。閂材１６は、挿入部１６ａを下側壁部３２の外表面と各係止突起１５Ｄの内周面との間に挿入させて、ケース１３に固定されている。   The locking portion 15U disposed on the outer surface side of the upper wall portion 14a can be inserted into the locking hole 31a of the upper side wall portion 31 of the airbag cover 29 to lock the periphery of the locking hole 31a. It is configured as a locking hook. A plurality of locking hooks 15 </ b> U are arranged along the left-right direction of the vehicle corresponding to the locking holes 31 a of the upper side wall portion 31. The locking portion 15D is configured as a locking projection that can be inserted into the locking hole 32a of the lower wall portion 32 of the airbag cover 29. The locking projection 15D also corresponds to the locking hole 32a of the lower wall portion 32. A plurality of vehicles are arranged along the left-right direction of the vehicle. Then, a hook 16 is inserted into each locking projection 15D to prevent the locking projection 15D from coming off from the locking hole 32a after being inserted into the locking hole 32a. The saddle member 16 is fixed to the case 13 by inserting the insertion portion 16a between the outer surface of the lower side wall portion 32 and the inner peripheral surface of each locking projection 15D.

さらに、周壁部１４における右方側の壁部１４ｃには、インフレーター２１の本体２２の端部を挿通可能な挿通孔１４ｄが、形成されている（図３参照）。また、底壁部１７には、インフレーター２１の各ボルト２３ｄを挿通させるための二つの挿通孔１７ａが、形成されている。   Furthermore, the through-hole 14d which can penetrate the edge part of the main body 22 of the inflator 21 is formed in the wall part 14c of the right side in the surrounding wall part 14 (refer FIG. 3). The bottom wall portion 17 is formed with two insertion holes 17a through which the bolts 23d of the inflator 21 are inserted.

また、ケース１３は、開口１３ａの周囲に、周壁部１４から外方へ延びるフランジ部１９を備えて構成されている。ケース１３は、フランジ部１９、周壁部１４、及び、底壁部１７の所定部位から図示しないブラケットを突出させて、車両のボディ側に固定されている。   The case 13 includes a flange portion 19 that extends outward from the peripheral wall portion 14 around the opening 13a. The case 13 is fixed to the body side of the vehicle by projecting brackets (not shown) from predetermined portions of the flange portion 19, the peripheral wall portion 14, and the bottom wall portion 17.

インフレーター２１は、図２・３に示すように、軸方向を車両の左右方向に沿って配設させるシリンダタイプとして構成され、略円柱状の本体２２とディフューザー２３とを備えて構成されている。本体２２は、略円柱状の一般部２２ａと、一般部２２ａの端面から突出する小径の小径部２２ｂと、を備え、小径部２２ｂの外周面に複数のガス吐出口２２ｃを配設させて、構成されている。そして、一般部２２ａにおける小径部２２ｂから離れた端面に、作動信号入力用のリード線２７を結線させたコネクタ２６が、接続されている。   As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inflator 21 is configured as a cylinder type in which the axial direction is disposed along the left-right direction of the vehicle, and includes a substantially cylindrical main body 22 and a diffuser 23. The main body 22 includes a substantially cylindrical general portion 22a and a small-diameter small-diameter portion 22b protruding from the end surface of the general portion 22a, and a plurality of gas discharge ports 22c are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion 22b. It is configured. And the connector 26 which connected the lead wire 27 for an operation signal input to the end surface apart from the small diameter part 22b in the general part 22a is connected.

ディフューザー２３は、本体２２を覆い可能な略円筒状として、膨張用ガスを流出可能な複数のガス流出口２３ａを、車両搭載状態の後方側の面に配設させている。また、ディフューザー２３は、車両前方側へ突出する複数（実施形態では二本）のボルト２３ｄを備えて構成されている。さらに、ディフューザー２３は、本体２２を保持するための複数の挟持部２３ｃを備えている。そして、本体２２のディフューザー２３への固定は、ディフューザー２３内に、小径部２２ｂを先頭にして、挿通孔２３ｂから本体２２を挿入させ、各挟持部２３ｃを一般部２２ａの外周面側にさらに押圧すれば、本体２２をディフューザー２３に固定することができ、各ボルト２３ｄをケース１３の底壁部１７の挿通孔１７ａに挿通させて、ナット２４を締め付ければ、インフレーター２１をケース１３に固定することができる。   The diffuser 23 has a substantially cylindrical shape that can cover the main body 22, and a plurality of gas outlets 23 a through which the expansion gas can flow out are disposed on the rear surface of the vehicle mounted state. The diffuser 23 includes a plurality (two in the embodiment) of bolts 23d that protrude toward the front side of the vehicle. Further, the diffuser 23 includes a plurality of clamping portions 23 c for holding the main body 22. The main body 22 is fixed to the diffuser 23 by inserting the main body 22 into the diffuser 23 from the insertion hole 23b with the small-diameter portion 22b at the head, and further pressing each clamping portion 23c toward the outer peripheral surface of the general portion 22a. Then, the main body 22 can be fixed to the diffuser 23, and each bolt 23 d is inserted into the insertion hole 17 a of the bottom wall portion 17 of the case 13 and the nut 24 is tightened to fix the inflator 21 to the case 13. be able to.

なお、インフレーター２１は、車両に搭載されたエアバッグ作動回路が、車両の前面衝突を検知した際、リード線２７を介して、作動信号が入力され、その際、同時に、ステアリングホイール１に搭載された図示しないエアバッグ装置も作動される。   The inflator 21 receives an operation signal via the lead wire 27 when the airbag operation circuit mounted on the vehicle detects a frontal collision of the vehicle. At the same time, the inflator 21 is mounted on the steering wheel 1. An airbag device (not shown) is also activated.

エアバッグカバー２９は、ケース１３の開口１３ａ付近とフランジ部１９付近との車両後方側を覆い可能なように、構成されて、ケース１３に連結保持されている。このエアバッグカバー２９は、図１・１０に示すように、アッパパネル１０ａとロアパネル１０ｂとからなるインパネ１０におけるコラムカバー５の周縁のロアパネル１０ｂ側に配置されて、インパネ１０から突出するコラムカバー５の下側周縁を覆っている。   The airbag cover 29 is configured to be able to cover the vehicle rear side in the vicinity of the opening 13 a of the case 13 and in the vicinity of the flange portion 19, and is connected and held to the case 13. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the airbag cover 29 is disposed on the lower panel 10 b side of the peripheral edge of the column cover 5 in the instrument panel 10 including the upper panel 10 a and the lower panel 10 b, and protrudes from the instrument panel 10. Covers the lower edge.

そして、エアバッグカバー２９は、図２・３・１０に示すように、ケース１３の開口１３ａを車両後方側で覆っている二つの扉部３７・３８と、扉部３７・３８の周囲に配置されて車両への搭載時に周囲をロアパネル１０ｂに囲まれる一般部３０と、を備えて構成されている。このエアバッグカバー２９は、扉部３７・３８や側壁部３１・３２・３３・３４を含めた部位を、ポリオレフィン系等の熱可塑性エラストマーから形成し、その周囲の一般部３０を、ポリプロピレン等の合成樹脂から形成した二色成形品としている。   As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 10, the air bag cover 29 is disposed around the door portions 37 and 38 which cover the opening 13a of the case 13 on the vehicle rear side, and the door portions 37 and 38. And a general portion 30 that is surrounded by the lower panel 10b when mounted on the vehicle. The airbag cover 29 is formed of a portion including the door portions 37 and 38 and the side wall portions 31, 32, 33, and 34 from a thermoplastic elastomer such as polyolefin, and the surrounding general portion 30 is made of polypropylene or the like. It is a two-color molded product formed from a synthetic resin.

扉部３７・３８は、略長方形板状に形成されて、周囲に、略Ｈ字形状となる薄肉の破断予定部３６を配設させて、構成されている。破断予定部３６は、扉部３７・３８が膨張するエアバッグ４０に押された際に容易に破断するように、エアバッグカバー２９の車両前方側の面に連続的若しくは断続的な凹溝を設けて、形成されている。そして、破断予定部３６がエアバッグ４０に押されて破断した際には、扉部３７は、上端側の上側壁部３１付近をヒンジ部として上開きに開き、扉部３８は、下端側の下側壁部３２付近をヒンジ部として下開きで開く。   The door portions 37 and 38 are formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and are configured by disposing a thin portion to be broken 36 having a substantially H shape around the door portions 37 and 38. The planned break portion 36 has a continuous or intermittent groove on the front surface of the airbag cover 29 so that the door portions 37 and 38 are easily broken when pushed by the inflating airbag 40. Provided and formed. When the planned breakage portion 36 is pushed by the airbag 40 and breaks, the door portion 37 opens upward with the upper wall portion 31 and the vicinity of the upper end side as a hinge portion, and the door portion 38 opens on the lower end side. The vicinity of the lower side wall portion 32 is opened as a hinge portion by opening downward.

また、扉部３７・３８の周囲の部位には、ケース１３の周壁部１４の外周側において、周壁部１４と隣接するように車両前方側に突出する４つの側壁部３１・３２・３３・３４が、形成されている。そして、ケース周壁部１４の上部側に配置される上側壁部３１と周壁部１４の下部側に配置される下側壁部３２とは、エアバッグカバー２９をケース１３に連結保持させる部位となり、これらの各壁部３１・３２には、既述したように、周壁部１４に配設された各係止部１５（１５Ｕ・１５Ｄ）を挿入させて、各係止部１５に周縁を係止させる係止孔３１ａ・３２ａが、それぞれ、形成されている。   In addition, at the portion around the door portions 37 and 38, four side wall portions 31, 32, 33, and 34 that protrude toward the vehicle front side so as to be adjacent to the peripheral wall portion 14 on the outer peripheral side of the peripheral wall portion 14 of the case 13. Is formed. And the upper side wall part 31 arrange | positioned at the upper part side of the case surrounding wall part 14 and the lower side wall part 32 arrange | positioned at the lower part side of the surrounding wall part 14 become a site | part which connects and holds the airbag cover 29 to the case 13, These As described above, each of the locking portions 15 (15U, 15D) disposed on the peripheral wall portion 14 is inserted into each of the wall portions 31 and 32, and the peripheral portions of the locking portions 15 are locked. Locking holes 31a and 32a are respectively formed.

さらに、一般部３０には、ロアパネル１０ｂの係止孔１０ｃに挿入係止される複数の係止脚３０ａが形成されている。   Further, the general portion 30 is formed with a plurality of locking legs 30a that are inserted and locked into the locking holes 10c of the lower panel 10b.

エアバッグ４０は、展開膨張完了時の形状を、図１・４〜６・１１に示すように、運転者Ｄの両膝Ｋを保護可能な左右方向の幅寸法を備えた略長方形板状としている。そして、エアバッグ４０は、展開膨張完了時に、運転者Ｄ側に運転者側壁部４１を配置させ、コラムカバー５側にコラム側壁部４２を配置させるように、構成されている。壁部４１・４２は、相互に略同形状に形成されている。   As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 to 6, 11, the airbag 40 has a substantially rectangular plate shape with a lateral width dimension that can protect both knees K of the driver D, as shown in FIGS. Yes. And the airbag 40 is comprised so that the driver | operator side wall part 41 may be arrange | positioned at the driver | operator D side and the column side wall part 42 may be arrange | positioned at the column cover 5 side at the time of completion of expansion | deployment. The walls 41 and 42 are formed in substantially the same shape.

さらに、エアバッグ４０は、可撓性を有したポリエステルやポリアミド糸等からなる織布から形成されるとともに、壁部４１・４２をエアバッグ４０の下縁４０ｂ側で連結させた形状の一枚の布材を、下縁４０ｂ側の部位で二つ折りし、重ねた外周縁相互を縫合して、製造されている。   Furthermore, the airbag 40 is formed of a woven fabric made of flexible polyester, polyamide yarn, or the like, and has a shape in which the wall portions 41 and 42 are connected on the lower edge 40b side of the airbag 40. The cloth material is folded in half at the lower edge 40b side, and the overlapped outer peripheral edges are sewn together.

そして、このエアバッグ４０では、車両搭載状態で展開膨張を完了させた際、図１や図１１に示すように、上縁４０ａ側における右縁側の角部Ｃ付近を、キーシリンダ６の車両後方側（車両後下方側）を覆うカバー領域として、その角部Ｃ付近には、図４に示すように、エアバッグ４０を平らに展開した状態で、左右方向の幅寸法を小さくした補助膨張部４９を、上方へ突設させている。そして、このエアバッグ４０は、平らに展開させた状態で膨張させた際、補助膨張部４９と、運転者Ｄの膝Ｋを保護可能な保護膨張部４８と、を膨らませる状態となる。ちなみに、図１１に示すように、保護膨張部４８の領域は、運転者Ｄの両膝Ｋを保護可能な左右方向の幅寸法を備えた略長方形板状とするとともに、エアバッグ４０の下縁４０ｂ側から左右方向にテーパ状に広がる形状としている。   When the airbag 40 is deployed and inflated in a vehicle-mounted state, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, the vicinity of the corner C on the right edge side on the upper edge 40a side is located behind the key cylinder 6 in the vehicle. As a cover region covering the side (the vehicle rear lower side), in the vicinity of the corner C thereof, as shown in FIG. 49 protrudes upward. When the airbag 40 is inflated in a flatly deployed state, the auxiliary inflatable portion 49 and the protective inflatable portion 48 that can protect the knee K of the driver D are inflated. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 11, the region of the protective inflating portion 48 has a substantially rectangular plate shape with a width dimension in the left-right direction that can protect both knees K of the driver D, and the lower edge of the airbag 40. The shape expands in a taper shape in the left-right direction from the 40b side.

補助膨張部４９は、保護膨張部４８とキーシリンダ６に挿入されたキーＥの付属品Ａとの干渉を防止する干渉防止手段を構成するもので、車両搭載状態でのエアバッグ４０の展開膨張時、特に、保護膨張部４８の上端４８ａ付近、すなわち、補助膨張部４９の部位を除いたエアバッグ４０の上縁４０ａ付近が、キー付属品Ａの下端Ａｂ付近に膨張して上昇してくる際、保護膨張部４８とキー付属品Ａとの間に介在されるように、エアバッグ４０の上縁４０ａの角部Ｃ付近に、配設されている。また、この補助膨張部４９は、開口面積を絞られた連通口４９ａを設けて保護膨張部４８から膨張用ガスを流入可能に、保護膨張部４８から延設されている。実施形態の場合、連通口４９ａは、膨張用ガスを絞って通過可能に、縫合糸５１を利用し、縫うピッチを広げたり、あるいは、糸５１を長めに使用して緩く縫う等して、運転者側壁部４１とコラム側壁部４２とを縫合して、形成している。   The auxiliary inflating portion 49 constitutes an interference preventing means for preventing interference between the protective inflating portion 48 and the accessory A of the key E inserted in the key cylinder 6, and the airbag 40 is deployed and inflated when mounted on the vehicle. Particularly, the vicinity of the upper edge 48a of the protective inflatable portion 48, that is, the vicinity of the upper edge 40a of the airbag 40 excluding the portion of the auxiliary inflatable portion 49 is inflated and raised near the lower end Ab of the key accessory A. At this time, it is disposed in the vicinity of the corner portion C of the upper edge 40a of the airbag 40 so as to be interposed between the protective inflating portion 48 and the key accessory A. The auxiliary expansion part 49 extends from the protective expansion part 48 so that a communication port 49a having a reduced opening area is provided so that the expansion gas can flow from the protective expansion part 48. In the case of the embodiment, the communication port 49a is operated by using the suture thread 51 so that the expansion gas can be squeezed through, widening the stitching pitch, or using the thread 51 longer and sewing loosely. The person side wall 41 and the column side wall 42 are formed by stitching.

また、エアバッグ４０の保護膨張部４８内には、左右方向に沿って配設されるテザー４５・４６が、上下二段に配設されている。各テザー４５・４６は、壁部４１・４２を連結して、膨張完了時の保護膨張部４８を板形状に維持できるように、配設されている。なお、各テザー４５・４６は、それぞれ、壁部４１・４２に連結されるとともに相互に連結される二枚ずつの布材４５ａ・４６ａから、形成されている。   In the protective inflation part 48 of the airbag 40, tethers 45 and 46 arranged in the left-right direction are arranged in two upper and lower stages. The tethers 45 and 46 are arranged so as to connect the wall portions 41 and 42 so that the protective expansion portion 48 when expansion is completed can be maintained in a plate shape. The tethers 45 and 46 are respectively formed from two cloth materials 45a and 46a that are connected to the walls 41 and 42 and connected to each other.

また、エアバッグ４０の下縁４０ｂ側におけるコラム側壁部４２の部位４３には、図３・７に示すように、二つの挿通孔４３ａ・４３ａと一つの挿通孔４３ｂとが形成されている。挿通孔４３ａ・４３ａは、インフレーター２１の各ボルト２３ｄを挿通させるものであり、挿通孔４３ｂは、インフレーター２１の本体２２を挿通させるものである。そして、エアバッグ４０は、挿通孔４３ｂからインフレーター２１の本体２２を突出させて、各挿通孔４３ａの周縁４３を、ディフューザー２３とケース１３の底壁部１７とに挟持させて、ケース１３に取り付けられている。すなわち、このエアバッグ４０は、挿通孔４３ａの周縁を取付部４３として、この取付部４３が、ケース１３の底壁部１７に対して、取付固定されている。   Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, two insertion holes 43a and 43a and one insertion hole 43b are formed in the portion 43 of the column side wall portion 42 on the lower edge 40b side of the airbag 40. The insertion holes 43 a and 43 a are for inserting the bolts 23 d of the inflator 21, and the insertion hole 43 b is for inserting the main body 22 of the inflator 21. The airbag 40 is attached to the case 13 by causing the main body 22 of the inflator 21 to protrude from the insertion hole 43 b and sandwiching the peripheral edge 43 of each insertion hole 43 a between the diffuser 23 and the bottom wall portion 17 of the case 13. It has been. That is, the airbag 40 is attached and fixed to the bottom wall portion 17 of the case 13 with the peripheral edge of the insertion hole 43 a as the attachment portion 43.

第１実施形態のエアバッグ４０の製造は、予め、挿通孔４３ａ・４３ｂを設け、かつ、運転者側壁部４１とコラム側壁部４２とを連ならせた一枚の布材に対して、テザー４５・４６を構成する布材４５ａ・４６ａの端部を、縫合糸５１を使用して、壁部４１・４２におけるエアバッグ４０（保護膨張部４８）の内周面側の所定位置に、縫合する。そして、エアバッグ４０の下縁４０ｂの位置で二つ折りし、布材４５ａ・４５ａ相互と布材４６ａ・４６ａ相互とを縫合してテザー４５・４６を形成するとともに、二つ折りして折り重ねた外周縁、すなわち、壁部４１・４２の外周縁相互を、縫合糸５１を使用して、縫合すれば、エアバッグ４０を製造することができる。なお、インフレーター２１は、外周縁相互の全周の縫合完了前に、エアバッグ４０内に配置させて、配置後、縫合作業を完了させることとなる。また、補助膨張部４９の連通口４９ａの部位では、壁部４１・４２相互を縫う縫合糸５１のピッチを粗く、あるいは、緩く縫う等して、開口面積を絞っておく。   The airbag 40 according to the first embodiment is manufactured by providing a tether for a piece of cloth material in which insertion holes 43a and 43b are provided in advance and the driver side wall 41 and the column side wall 42 are connected. The end portions of the cloth materials 45a and 46a constituting the 45 and 46 are sewn at predetermined positions on the inner peripheral surface side of the airbag 40 (protective inflating portion 48) in the wall portions 41 and 42 using the suture thread 51. To do. Then, it is folded in half at the position of the lower edge 40b of the airbag 40, the fabric materials 45a and 45a and the fabric materials 46a and 46a are stitched together to form the tethers 45 and 46, and folded in two and folded. The airbag 40 can be manufactured by sewing the outer peripheral edge, that is, the outer peripheral edges of the wall portions 41 and 42 using the suture thread 51. Note that the inflator 21 is disposed in the airbag 40 before completion of the entire peripheries of the outer peripheral edges, and after the arrangement, the suturing operation is completed. In addition, at the portion of the communication port 49a of the auxiliary expansion portion 49, the opening area is narrowed by coarsely or loosely sewing the suture thread 51 that sews the wall portions 41 and 42 together.

つぎに、第１実施形態のエアバッグ装置Ｓ１の組み立てについて説明すると、エアバッグ４０内にインフレーター２１を収納させておいた状態で、まず、エアバッグ４０を、ケース１３内に収納可能に、折り畳む。なお、インフレーター２１は、各挿通孔４３ａからボルト２３ｄを突出させ、挿通孔４３ｂから本体２２の端部を突出させるように、エアバッグ４０内に、収納させておく。   Next, the assembly of the airbag apparatus S1 of the first embodiment will be described. With the inflator 21 stored in the airbag 40, the airbag 40 is first folded so as to be stored in the case 13. . The inflator 21 is stored in the airbag 40 so that the bolt 23d protrudes from each insertion hole 43a and the end of the main body 22 protrudes from the insertion hole 43b.

このエアバッグ４０の折り畳み行程では、左右方向に沿う折目を付けるようにして、上縁４０ａを下縁４０ｂに接近させる横折り行程と、ケース１３の幅寸法に対応させるように、エアバッグ４０の左右方向の幅寸法を整えるための、上下（前後）方向に沿う折目を付ける縦折り行程と、があり、第１実施形態の場合、縦折り行程を二段階に分けて行なっている。また、折り畳み時には、補助膨張部４９が、展開膨張時の保護膨張部４８における角部Ｃ付近の上縁４８ａ側を保護できるように、折り畳む必要がある。   In the folding process of the airbag 40, the airbag 40 is adapted to correspond to the lateral folding process in which the upper edge 40a approaches the lower edge 40b by making a fold along the left-right direction, and the width of the case 13. There is a vertical folding process for making a fold along the vertical (front-rear) direction for adjusting the width dimension in the left-right direction. In the case of the first embodiment, the vertical folding process is performed in two stages. Further, at the time of folding, it is necessary to fold so that the auxiliary inflating portion 49 can protect the upper edge 48a side near the corner portion C in the protective inflating portion 48 at the time of unfolding.

そのため、第１実施形態の場合、まず、コラム側壁部４２と運転者側壁部４１とを重ねて平らにした状態として、図７のＡ・Ｂ・Ｃに順に示すように、補助膨張部４９を、エアバッグ４０の上縁４０ａ側におけるコラム側壁部４２と運転者側壁部４１とを覆えるように、先端４９ｂ側を、壁部４１側に折るとともに壁部４２側に折って、補助膨張部４９を二つの壁部４１・４２に共に重ねるように折る。その後、図７のＣ・Ｄに示すように、エアバッグ４０の左右の縁４０ｃ・４０ｄ付近に、前後方向（上下方向）に沿う折目Ｆ１・Ｆ１を付けて、縁４０ｃ・４０ｄを左右方向の中央Ｏ１側に接近させる縦折りをする縦折り行程を行う。   Therefore, in the case of the first embodiment, first, the column side wall portion 42 and the driver side wall portion 41 are overlapped and flattened, and the auxiliary inflating portion 49 is arranged as shown in FIGS. The front end 49b side is folded to the wall 41 side and the side wall 42 side so as to cover the column side wall 42 and the driver side wall 41 on the upper edge 40a side of the airbag 40. Fold 49 to overlap the two walls 41 and 42 together. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7C and D, folds F1 and F1 along the front-rear direction (vertical direction) are provided near the left and right edges 40c and 40d of the airbag 40, and the edges 40c and 40d are moved in the left-right direction. A vertical folding process is performed to perform vertical folding to approach the center O1 side.

その後、図７のＤ・Ｅに示すように、横折り行程を行なう。実施形態の場合には、エアバッグ４０の上縁４０ａ側を、コラム側壁部４２の側で巻いて、下縁４０ｂ側に接近させるロール折りによって、横折りを行なっている。   Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 7D and 7E, a horizontal folding process is performed. In the case of the embodiment, the upper edge 40a side of the airbag 40 is wound on the column side wall portion 42 side, and the side folding is performed by roll folding that approaches the lower edge 40b side.

そして、ケース１３に収納できる左右方向の幅寸法とするために、図７のＥ・Ｆに示すように、ロール折りした折り畳み部位５３の左右の両端部５３ｂ・５３ｂを、折り畳み部位５３の中央部５３ａの下方に配置させる縦折り行程を行なえば、エアバッグ４０の折り畳み行程を完了させることができる。   And in order to make it the width dimension of the left-right direction which can be accommodated in the case 13, as shown to E and F of FIG. 7, both the right-and-left both ends 53b and 53b of the folded folding part 53 are made into the center part of the folding part 53 If the longitudinal folding process arrange | positioned under 53a is performed, the folding process of the airbag 40 can be completed.

その後、折り崩れ防止用の破断可能な図示しないラッピングフィルムにより、エアバッグ４０をくるむ。この時、挿通孔４３ａ・４３ｂから突出したインフレーター２１のボルト２３ｄや本体２２の端部は、ラッピングフィルムから突出させておく。なお、ラッピングフィルムとしては、樹脂製のシート材の他、エアバッグ４０を形成した織布等の布材・テープ材・紐材を利用してもよい。   Thereafter, the airbag 40 is wrapped with a wrapping film (not shown) that can be broken to prevent it from collapsing. At this time, the bolt 23d of the inflator 21 and the end of the main body 22 protruding from the insertion holes 43a and 43b are protruded from the wrapping film. In addition, as a wrapping film, you may utilize cloth materials, tape materials, and a string material, such as a woven fabric in which the airbag 40 is formed, in addition to a resin sheet material.

その後、インフレーター２１の各ボルト２３ｄを挿通孔１７ａから突出させるとともに、インフレーター本体２２の端部を挿通孔１４ｄから突出させるようにして、インフレーター２１を、折り畳まれたエアバッグ４０とともに、ケース１３内に収納させ、各ボルト２３ｄに図示しないスプリングナットを締結すれば、インフレーター２１とエアバッグ４０とを、ケース１３に収納させるとともに、ケース１３に取り付けることができる。   Thereafter, each bolt 23d of the inflator 21 is protruded from the insertion hole 17a, and the end portion of the inflator body 22 is protruded from the insertion hole 14d, so that the inflator 21 is folded into the case 13 together with the folded airbag 40. By storing and fastening a spring nut (not shown) to each bolt 23d, the inflator 21 and the airbag 40 can be stored in the case 13 and attached to the case 13.

ついで、エアバッグカバー２９を、ケース１３に組み付ける。このエアバッグカバー２９のケース１３への組み付けは、エアバッグカバー２９の各側壁部３１・３２・３３・３４を、開口１３ａ側のケース周壁部１４に外装させ、各係止フック１５Ｕを、上側壁部３１の係止孔３１ａに挿入係止させるとともに、各係止突起１５Ｄを、下側壁部３２の各係止孔３２ａに挿入させて、下側壁部３２の外表面側に突出させ、下側壁部３２の外表面と各係止突起１５Ｄの内周面との間に、閂材１６の挿入部１６ａを挿入させて、閂材１６にボルト２３ｄを貫通させて、ナット２４をボルト２３ｄに締結すれば、エアバッグカバー２９をケース１３に連結保持させることができて、エアバッグ装置Ｓ１を組み立てることができる。   Next, the airbag cover 29 is assembled to the case 13. The air bag cover 29 is assembled to the case 13 by attaching the side wall portions 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the air bag cover 29 to the case peripheral wall portion 14 on the opening 13a side. The locking projections 15D are inserted into the locking holes 31a of the side wall portion 31 and inserted into the locking holes 32a of the lower side wall portion 32 so as to protrude to the outer surface side of the lower side wall portion 32. Between the outer surface of the side wall portion 32 and the inner peripheral surface of each locking projection 15D, the insertion portion 16a of the flange member 16 is inserted, the bolt 23d is passed through the flange member 16, and the nut 24 is inserted into the bolt 23d. When fastened, the airbag cover 29 can be connected and held to the case 13, and the airbag device S1 can be assembled.

そして、エアバッグ装置Ｓ１の車両への搭載は、リード線２７を結線させたコネクタ２６をインフレーター２１の本体２２に接続させるとともに、ケース１３から延びる所定のブラケットを、車両のボディ側に連結固定させるとともに、リード線２７をエアバッグ作動回路に接続させれば、エアバッグ装置Ｓ１を車両に搭載することができる。   For mounting the airbag device S1 on the vehicle, the connector 26 to which the lead wire 27 is connected is connected to the main body 22 of the inflator 21, and a predetermined bracket extending from the case 13 is connected and fixed to the vehicle body side. At the same time, if the lead wire 27 is connected to the airbag operation circuit, the airbag device S1 can be mounted on the vehicle.

なお、この時、車両には、既に、アッパパネル１０ａやロアパネル１０ｂ等が取り付けられており、エアバッグカバー２９の係止脚３０ａをロアパネル１０ｂの係止孔１０ｃに挿入係止させることとなる。また、アンダーカバー１１は、エアバッグ装置Ｓ１を車両に搭載した後に取り付ければよい。   At this time, the upper panel 10a, the lower panel 10b, and the like are already attached to the vehicle, and the locking leg 30a of the airbag cover 29 is inserted and locked into the locking hole 10c of the lower panel 10b. Moreover, what is necessary is just to attach the undercover 11 after mounting the airbag apparatus S1 in a vehicle.

エアバッグ装置Ｓ１の車両への搭載後、リード線２７を経て、インフレーター２１の本体２２に作動信号が入力されれば、インフレーター２１のガス吐出口２２ｃから膨張用ガスが吐出され、膨張用ガスが、ディフューザー２３のガス流出口２３ａを経て、エアバッグ４０内に流入することとなる。そして、エアバッグ４０は、膨張して、図示しないラッピングフィルムを破断するとともに、エアバッグカバー２９の扉部３７・３８を押し、破断予定部３６を破断させる。そして、エアバッグ４０は、扉部３７・３８を開かせて、図１の二点鎖線に示すように、ケース１３の開口１３ａから車両後方側へ突出し、さらに、ステアリングコラム２のコラムカバー下面５ａに沿って上昇しつつ、展開膨張することとなる。   If the operation signal is input to the main body 22 of the inflator 21 through the lead wire 27 after the airbag device S1 is mounted on the vehicle, the inflation gas is discharged from the gas discharge port 22c of the inflator 21, and the inflation gas is discharged. Then, the air flows into the airbag 40 through the gas outlet 23a of the diffuser 23. The airbag 40 expands to break a wrapping film (not shown) and pushes the door portions 37 and 38 of the airbag cover 29 to break the planned break portion 36. The airbag 40 opens the door portions 37 and 38, protrudes from the opening 13a of the case 13 to the vehicle rear side, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, and further, the column cover lower surface 5a of the steering column 2 It expands and expands while moving along.

そして、第１実施形態の膝保護用エアバッグ装置Ｓ１では、エアバッグ４０が、膨張用ガスを流入させてケース１３から車両後方側へ突出すれば、エアバッグ４０の折り畳み行程の略逆の行程で、折りを解消して、展開膨張する。そのため、展開膨張するエアバッグ４０は、ロール折りの折りを解消しつつ、図８のＡ・Ｂや図１０のＡ・Ｂに示すように、エアバッグ４０の上縁４０ａ側を、コラムカバー５の下面（後面）５ａに沿わせて、コラムカバー５の上端５ｂ付近まで、上昇させる。   And in the airbag apparatus S1 for knee protection of 1st Embodiment, if the airbag 40 flows in the gas for expansion | swelling and protrudes from the case 13 to the vehicle rear side, the process substantially reverse of the folding process of the airbag 40 will be carried out. Then, the folds are released and it expands and expands. Therefore, the airbag 40 that is inflated and inflated, while eliminating the folding of the roll fold, the upper edge 40a side of the airbag 40 is placed on the column cover 5 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B and FIG. The column cover 5 is raised to the vicinity of the upper end 5b of the column cover 5 along the lower surface (rear surface) 5a.

その際、この第１実施形態では、図８のＢから図９、その後、図１の二点鎖線、あるいは、図１０のＢから図１１、に示すように、膝Ｋを保護可能な保護膨張部４８が、キー付属品Ａの下端Ａｂ側と接触せず、干渉防止手段としての補助膨張部４９が、保護膨張部４８からの膨張用ガスを流入させて膨張し、キーシリンダ６に挿入したキーＥから垂れたキー付属品Ａに対して干渉する。   At this time, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B to FIG. 9, and then to the two-dot chain line of FIG. 1 or FIG. 10B to FIG. The portion 48 does not come into contact with the lower end Ab side of the key accessory A, and the auxiliary expansion portion 49 as an interference preventing means is inflated by flowing the expansion gas from the protective expansion portion 48 and inserted into the key cylinder 6. Interfere with key accessory A hanging from key E.

そして、補助膨張部４９がキー付属品Ａと干渉する際、補助膨張部４９が、膨張しつつ、その先端４９ｂ側でキー付属品Ａの下端Ａｂ側を弾けば、図９に示すように、エアバッグ４０の保護膨張部４８からキー付属品Ａを離すように移動させることから、その後に、キー付属品Ａが、落下してきても、図１の二点鎖線や図１１に示すように、膨張した補助膨張部４９で支持されて、保護膨張部４８は、キー付属品Ａにより傷付けられない。   Then, when the auxiliary inflating portion 49 interferes with the key accessory A, if the auxiliary inflating portion 49 inflates and flips the lower end Ab side of the key accessory A on the tip 49b side, as shown in FIG. Since the key accessory A is moved away from the protective inflating portion 48 of the airbag 40, even if the key accessory A subsequently falls, as shown in the two-dot chain line in FIG. Supported by the expanded auxiliary expansion portion 49, the protective expansion portion 48 is not damaged by the key accessory A.

あるいは、補助膨張部４９が、キー付属品Ａと干渉して、図１２のＡ・Ｂや図１３のＡ・Ｂに順に示すように、下端Ａｂ側が刺さる等によって穴が開くように、傷付けられても、補助膨張部４９は、保護膨張部４８との間の連通口４９ａを絞っているため、傷付けられた部位からの膨張用ガスの外部への漏れを抑えることができて、保護膨張部４８の内圧を急激に低下させることを防止でき、保護膨張部４８による膝Ｋの保護を阻害しない。   Alternatively, the auxiliary inflating portion 49 interferes with the key accessory A and is scratched so that a hole is opened when the lower end Ab side is pierced or the like as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B or 13A and 13B in order. However, since the auxiliary expansion part 49 restrict | squeezes the communication port 49a between the protection expansion parts 48, it can suppress the leakage of the gas for expansion from the damaged site | part to the exterior, A protection expansion part The internal pressure of 48 can be prevented from rapidly decreasing, and the protection of the knee K by the protective expansion portion 48 is not hindered.

したがって、第１実施形態の膝保護用エアバッグ装置Ｓ１では、エアバッグ４０における膝Ｋを保護する保護膨張部４８とキー付属品Ａとの干渉を防止して、運転者Ｄの膝Ｋを、エアバッグ４０における膨張した保護膨張部４８により、的確に保護することができる。   Therefore, in the knee protecting airbag device S1 of the first embodiment, the protection inflating portion 48 that protects the knee K in the airbag 40 and the key accessory A are prevented from interfering with each other, The protective inflatable portion 48 inflated in the airbag 40 can be protected accurately.

また、干渉防止手段としての補助膨張部４９が、エアバッグ４０自体に設けられており、キー付属品Ａからの傷付け防止対策を、エアバッグ４０自体で簡便に対処することができる。   Further, an auxiliary inflating portion 49 as an interference preventing means is provided in the airbag 40 itself, and the measures for preventing damage from the key accessory A can be easily dealt with by the airbag 40 itself.

なお、第１実施形態のエアバッグ４０では、図７のVII矢視図に示すように、補助膨張部４９を壁部４１・４２の両側に跨って折り畳むとともに、先端４９ｂをコラム側壁部４２側に配置させて、その状態で、コラム側壁部４２側にロール折りされており、展開膨張時、図９に示すように、先端４９ｂがキー付属品Ａの下端Ａｂを車両後方側へ弾き易く構成されている。しかし、この点を考慮しなければ、図７の変形例に示すように、先端４９ｂを運転者側壁部４１の側に配置させるように、補助膨張部４９を折り畳んでもよい。   In the airbag 40 of the first embodiment, as shown in the arrow VII view of FIG. 7, the auxiliary inflatable portion 49 is folded over both sides of the wall portions 41 and 42, and the tip 49 b is connected to the column side wall portion 42 side. In this state, it is roll-folded to the column side wall 42 side, and when deployed and expanded, as shown in FIG. 9, the tip 49b is easy to flip the lower end Ab of the key accessory A toward the vehicle rear side. Has been. However, if this point is not taken into consideration, the auxiliary inflating portion 49 may be folded so that the tip 49b is disposed on the driver side wall portion 41 side as shown in the modification of FIG.

また、第１実施形態のエアバッグ４０では、保護膨張部４８の上端（上縁）４８ａから補助膨張部４９を上方へ突設させた場合を示したが、補助膨張部４９が、エアバッグ４０Ａの展開膨張時に、保護膨張部４８とキー付属品Ａとの間に介在されて、保護膨張部４８を保護できれば、図１４・１５に示すエアバッグ４０Ａのように、補助膨張部４９が、保護膨張部４８と連通する連通口４９ａを、保護膨張部４８の上端４８ａから下方へ下がった運転者側壁部４１やコラム側壁部４２の部位に、配設させて、構成してもよい。   Moreover, in the airbag 40 of 1st Embodiment, although the case where the auxiliary | assistant expansion | swelling part 49 was protruded upwards from the upper end (upper edge) 48a of the protection expansion | swelling part 48 was shown, the auxiliary | assistant expansion | swelling part 49 is airbag 40A. If the protective inflating portion 48 is interposed between the protective inflating portion 48 and the key accessory A and can be protected, the auxiliary inflating portion 49 is protected as in the airbag 40A shown in FIGS. A communication port 49 a communicating with the expansion portion 48 may be arranged at a portion of the driver side wall portion 41 or the column side wall portion 42 that is lowered downward from the upper end 48 a of the protective expansion portion 48.

つぎに、図１６に示す第２実施形態の膝保護用エアバッグ装置Ｓ２を説明すると、この第２実施形態のエアバッグ装置Ｓ２では、使用するエアバッグ６０が、図１７に示すように、第１実施形態のエアバッグ４０と相違しているだけで、他のケース１３、インフレーター２１、エアバッグカバー２９等は、第１実施形態と同様であり、第１実施形態と同様なケース１３等の説明は省略する。   Next, the knee protection airbag device S2 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 16 will be described. In the airbag device S2 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. Other than the airbag 40 of the first embodiment, the other case 13, the inflator 21, the airbag cover 29, and the like are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the case 13 and the like that are the same as those of the first embodiment. Description is omitted.

そして、エアバッグ６０は、展開膨張完了時の形状を、図１７・１８に示すように、運転者Ｄの両膝Ｋを保護可能な左右方向の幅寸法を備えた略長方形板状として、エアバッグ４０と同様に、展開膨張完了時に、運転者Ｄ側に運転者側壁部４１を配置させ、コラムカバー５側にコラム側壁部４２を配置させるように、構成されている。壁部４１・４２は、相互に略同形状に形成されている。さらに、このエアバッグ６０も、可撓性を有したポリエステルやポリアミド糸等からなる織布から形成されるとともに、壁部４１・４２をエアバッグ６０の下縁６０ｂ側で連結させた形状の一枚の布材を、下縁６０ｂ側の部位で二つ折りし、重ねた外周縁相互を縫合して、製造されている。   The airbag 60 is formed into a substantially rectangular plate with a width dimension in the left-right direction capable of protecting the knees K of the driver D as shown in FIGS. Similar to the bag 40, the driver side wall portion 41 is disposed on the driver D side and the column side wall portion 42 is disposed on the column cover 5 side when deployment and inflation are completed. The walls 41 and 42 are formed in substantially the same shape. Further, the airbag 60 is also formed of a woven fabric made of flexible polyester, polyamide yarn, or the like, and has a shape in which the wall portions 41 and 42 are connected on the lower edge 60b side of the airbag 60. It is manufactured by folding a piece of cloth material in half at a portion on the lower edge 60b side and stitching together the outer peripheral edges.

また、このエアバッグ６０は、下方側の取付部４３の部位を除く全域を、膝Ｋを保護可能な保護膨張部６１としている。保護膨張部６１とキーシリンダ６に挿入されたキーＥの付属品Ａとの干渉を防止する干渉防止手段が、膨張完了時のエアバッグ６０の上縁６０ａ側から凹むように配設されて、展開膨張時の保護膨張部６１とキー付属品Ａとの接触を不能とする干渉防止凹部６２により、構成されている。この凹部６２の上縁６０ａから下方へ凹む深さＬ１と左右方向の幅寸法Ｌ２とは、展開膨張途中のみならず、膨張を完了させた後でも、キー付属品Ａの下端Ａｂ側と干渉しないように、設定されている。   In addition, the airbag 60 has a protective inflatable portion 61 that can protect the knee K in the entire region except for the portion of the attachment portion 43 on the lower side. An interference preventing means for preventing interference between the protective inflating portion 61 and the accessory A of the key E inserted in the key cylinder 6 is disposed so as to be recessed from the upper edge 60a side of the airbag 60 when the inflation is completed. It is comprised by the interference prevention recessed part 62 which makes the contact of the protection expansion part 61 and the key accessory A at the time of expansion | deployment expansion impossible. The depth L1 and the width dimension L2 in the left-right direction that are recessed downward from the upper edge 60a of the recess 62 do not interfere with the lower end Ab side of the key accessory A not only during the expansion and expansion but also after the expansion is completed. So that it is set.

さらに、このエアバッグ６０は、第１実施形態と同様な縦折り工程とロール折りの横折り工程とによって折り畳んで、ケース１３内に収納され、また、エアバッグ装置Ｓ２の車両への搭載作業も、第１実施形態と同様である。   Further, the airbag 60 is folded and stored in the case 13 by a vertical folding process and a roll folding horizontal folding process similar to those of the first embodiment, and the mounting operation of the airbag device S2 on the vehicle is also performed. This is the same as in the first embodiment.

そして、車両へ搭載されたエアバッグ装置Ｓ２が作動して、インフレーター２１が膨張用ガスを吐出すれば、エアバッグ６０が、膨張用ガスを流入させて展開膨張することとなって、エアバッグカバー２９の扉部３７・３８を開きつつ、ケース１３から車両後方側へ突出し、図１８のＡ・Ｂに示すように、エアバッグ６０の上縁６０ａ側を、コラムカバー５の下面（後面）５ａに沿わせて、コラムカバー５の上端５ｂ付近まで、上昇させることとなる。   When the airbag device S2 mounted on the vehicle is activated and the inflator 21 discharges the inflation gas, the airbag 60 is inflated by inflating the inflation gas, and the airbag cover is expanded. 29, the doors 37 and 38 are opened while projecting from the case 13 toward the vehicle rear side, and as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the upper edge 60a side of the airbag 60 is placed on the lower surface (rear surface) 5a of the column cover 5. Along this, the column cover 5 is raised to the vicinity of the upper end 5b.

そして、この第２実施形態では、エアバッグ６０の展開膨張時、図１６の二点鎖線や図１８のＢに示すように、干渉防止手段としての干渉防止凹部６２の部位に、キー付属品Ａが配置されて、エアバッグ６０の保護膨張部６１とキー付属品Ａとが干渉しないことから、エアバッグ６０の保護膨張部６１がキー付属品Ａから傷付けられず、運転者Ｄの膝Ｋを、膨張したエアバッグ６０の保護膨張部６１により、的確に保護することができる。   In the second embodiment, when the airbag 60 is deployed and inflated, as shown in the two-dot chain line in FIG. 16 and B in FIG. Since the protective inflation part 61 of the airbag 60 and the key accessory A do not interfere with each other, the protective inflation part 61 of the airbag 60 is not damaged from the key accessory A. The protective inflating portion 61 of the inflated airbag 60 can be protected accurately.

また、この第２実施形態でも、干渉防止手段としての干渉防止凹部６２が、エアバッグ６０自体に設けられており、キー付属品Ａからの傷付け防止対策を、エアバッグ６０自体で簡便に対処することができる。   Also in this second embodiment, the interference preventing recess 62 as an interference preventing means is provided in the airbag 60 itself, and the airbag 60 itself can easily cope with the scratch prevention measures from the key accessory A. be able to.

なお、第２実施形態では、干渉防止凹部６２を、エアバッグ６０の上縁６０ａ側で、壁部４１・４２間の表裏を貫通するように、下方側へ凹ませて配設した場合を示したが、保護膨張部６１が、キー付属品Ａと干渉しなければ、コラム側壁部４２の側において、運転者側壁部４１側へ凹む凹部を設けて、すなわち、コラム側壁部４２側だけに、エアバッグ６０の上縁６０ａ側から下方へ凹む凹部を設けて、その凹部を干渉防止凹部としてもよい。この場合には、運転者Ｄ側から見れば、壁部４１・４２間を貫通するように、上方から凹まないことから、膝の保護領域を増大させることができる。   In the second embodiment, the interference preventing recess 62 is disposed on the upper edge 60a side of the airbag 60 so as to be recessed downward so as to penetrate the front and back between the wall portions 41 and 42. However, if the protective inflating portion 61 does not interfere with the key accessory A, a recess that is recessed toward the driver side wall portion 41 is provided on the column side wall portion 42 side, that is, only on the column side wall portion 42 side. A recess that is recessed downward from the upper edge 60a side of the airbag 60 may be provided, and the recess may be used as an interference prevention recess. In this case, as viewed from the driver D side, the knee protection area can be increased because the wall does not dent from above so as to penetrate between the walls 41 and 42.

また、上記の膝の保護領域を増大させることに着目すれば、図１７の二点鎖線に示すように、凹部６２の運転者側に、壁部４１に周縁を接合させた当て布６３を設けて、凹部６２の運転者側を塞いでもよい。ちなみに、この当て布６３は、可撓性を有した布材から形成されて、膨張するわけではないので、この当て布６３が、キー付属品Ａと干渉しても、支障はない。   Further, if attention is focused on increasing the above-mentioned knee protection area, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 17, a patch 63 having a peripheral edge joined to the wall 41 is provided on the driver side of the recess 62. Thus, the driver side of the recess 62 may be blocked. Incidentally, the patch 63 is made of a flexible cloth material and does not swell. Therefore, even if the patch 63 interferes with the key accessory A, there is no problem.

さらに、第１・２実施形態では、キーシリンダ６がステアリングコラム２（コラムカバー５）自体に配置されている場合について、説明したが、図１９に示すように、キーシリンダ６が、インパネ１０（図例の場合にはアッパパネル１０ａ）の位置に配置されている場合にも、適用してもよい。例えば、膝保護用エアバッグ装置Ｓ１のエアバッグ４０が、そのキーシリンダ６に挿入されたキーＥの付属品Ａと接触する補助膨張部４９を備えていれば、対処することができる。   Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the key cylinder 6 is arranged on the steering column 2 (column cover 5) itself has been described. However, as shown in FIG. In the case of the illustrated example, the present invention may also be applied to the case where it is arranged at the position of the upper panel 10a). For example, if the airbag 40 of the knee protection airbag device S1 includes the auxiliary inflating portion 49 that comes into contact with the accessory A of the key E inserted into the key cylinder 6, it can be dealt with.

さらにまた、キーシリンダ６が、コラムカバー５の左側面や、コラムカバー５から左方側に離れたインパネ１０に、配置されていても、そのキーシリンダ６に挿入されたキーＥの付属品Ａに対応するエアバッグの箇所に、干渉防止用手段としての補助膨張部や干渉防止凹部を設けて、本発明を適用することができる。   Furthermore, even if the key cylinder 6 is disposed on the left side surface of the column cover 5 or the instrument panel 10 that is separated from the column cover 5 to the left side, the accessory A of the key E inserted into the key cylinder 6 is provided. The present invention can be applied by providing an auxiliary inflating portion and an interference preventing recess as interference preventing means at the location of the airbag corresponding to the above.

本発明の第１実施形態である膝保護用エアバッグ装置の使用状態を示す車両前後方向の概略縦断面図であり、エアバッグの膨張完了時の一例を、二点鎖線で示してある。BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view in a vehicle front-rear direction showing a use state of a knee protecting airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and an example when an airbag is completely inflated is indicated by a two-dot chain line. 第１実施形態である膝保護用エアバッグ装置の車両前後方向の概略拡大縦断面図である。It is a general | schematic expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle front-back direction of the airbag apparatus for knee protection which is 1st Embodiment. 第１実施形態の膝保護用エアバッグ装置における車両前後方向の概略拡大横断面図であり、図２のIII−III部位に対応する。It is a general | schematic expanded cross-sectional view of the vehicle front-back direction in the airbag apparatus for knee protection of 1st Embodiment, and respond | corresponds to the III-III site | part of FIG. 第１実施形態のインフレーターを内蔵させた展開状態のエアバッグを示す概略正面図である。It is a schematic front view which shows the airbag of the expansion | deployment state which incorporated the inflator of 1st Embodiment. 図４のＶ−Ｖ部位の概略断面図である。It is a schematic sectional drawing of the VV site | part of FIG. 図４のVI−VI部位の概略拡大断面図である。It is a general | schematic expanded sectional view of the VI-VI site | part of FIG. 第１実施形態のエアバッグの折り畳み行程を説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the folding process of the airbag of 1st Embodiment. 第１実施形態の膝保護用エアバッグ装置における作動状態を順に示す概略縦断面図である。It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation state in the knee protection airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment in order. 第１実施形態の膝保護用エアバッグ装置の作動時を示す概略縦断面図であり、図８に示す状態の後で、かつ、エアバッグの膨張完了直前の状態を示す概略縦断面図である。It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the time of the action | operation of the knee protection airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment, and is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state immediately after completion of the inflation of the airbag after the state shown in FIG. . 第１実施形態の膝保護用エアバッグ装置における作動状態を順に示す概略正面図である。It is a schematic front view which shows the operation state in the airbag apparatus for knee protection of 1st Embodiment in order. 第１実施形態の膝保護用エアバッグ装置における作動状態を説明する概略正面図であり、エアバッグの膨張完了時を示す。It is a schematic front view explaining the action | operation state in the airbag apparatus for knee protection of 1st Embodiment, and shows the time of completion | finish of inflation of an airbag. 第１実施形態の膝保護用エアバッグ装置の作動時の変形例を順に示す概略縦断面図であり、図８に示す状態の後の状態を示す。It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the modification at the time of the action | operation of the knee protection airbag apparatus of 1st Embodiment in order, and shows the state after the state shown in FIG. 図１２に示す状態に対応する概略正面図である。It is a schematic front view corresponding to the state shown in FIG. 第１実施形態の変形例を示すエアバッグの概略正面図である。It is a schematic front view of the airbag which shows the modification of 1st Embodiment. 図１４に示すエアバッグの概略縦断面図であり、図１４のXV−XV部位に対応する。It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the airbag shown in FIG. 14, and it respond | corresponds to the XV-XV site | part of FIG. 第２実施形態の膝保護用エアバッグ装置の使用状態を示す概略縦断面図である。It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the use condition of the airbag apparatus for knee protection of 2nd Embodiment. 第２実施形態におけるインフレーターを内蔵させた展開状態のエアバッグを示す概略正面図である。It is a schematic front view which shows the airbag of the expansion | deployment state which incorporated the inflator in 2nd Embodiment. 第２実施形態の膝保護用エアバッグ装置の作動時を順に示す概略正面図である。It is a schematic front view which shows the time of the action | operation of the knee protection airbag apparatus of 2nd Embodiment in order. 第１実施形態の変形例を示す膝保護用エアバッグ装置の正面図である。It is a front view of the airbag apparatus for knee protection which shows the modification of 1st Embodiment.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

２…ステアリングコラム、
６…キーシリンダ、
１３…ケース、
４０・４０Ａ・６０…エアバッグ、
４０ａ・６０ａ…（エアバッグの）上縁、
４８・６１…保護膨張部、
４９…（干渉防止手段）補助膨張部、
４９ａ…連通口、
６２…（干渉防止手段）干渉防止凹部、
Ｅ…キー、
Ａ…キー付属品、
Ｄ…運転者、
Ｋ…膝、
Ｓ１・Ｓ２…膝保護用エアバッグ装置。 2 ... Steering column,
6 ... Key cylinder,
13 ... Case,
40, 40A, 60 ... airbags,
40a, 60a ... upper edge of the airbag
48.61 ... Protective expansion part,
49 (interference prevention means) auxiliary expansion part,
49a ... communication entrance,
62 (interference prevention means) interference prevention recess,
E ... key,
A ... Key accessories,
D ... Driver,
K ... knees,
S1, S2 ... Knee protecting airbag device.

Claims (2)

折り畳まれたエアバッグが、
運転者の前方側におけるステアリングコラムの下方に配置されたケースに収納保持され、膨張用ガスの流入時、前記ケースから車両後方側へ突出するとともに上昇しつつ展開膨張を完了させて、保護膨張部により、運転者の膝を保護可能とし、
さらに、前記保護膨張部とキーシリンダに挿入されたキーの付属品との干渉を防止する干渉防止手段を、上縁側付近に備えて、
構成されている膝保護用エアバッグ装置であって、
前記干渉防止手段が、開口面積を絞られた連通口を設けて前記保護膨張部から膨張用ガスを流入可能に、前記保護膨張部から延設されて、前記エアバッグの展開膨張時に、前記保護膨張部と前記キー付属品との間に介在される補助膨張部により、構成されていることを特徴とする膝保護用エアバッグ装置。 The folded airbag
A protective inflating portion that is housed and held in a case disposed below the steering column on the front side of the driver, and that when the inflating gas flows in, protrudes from the case to the vehicle rear side and completes the expansion and expansion while rising. Makes it possible to protect the driver's knee,
Furthermore, an interference preventing means for preventing interference between the protective expansion portion and the key accessory inserted in the key cylinder is provided near the upper edge side,
A knee protection airbag device configured,
The interference preventing means is provided with a communication port with a reduced opening area so that inflation gas can flow in from the protective inflation portion, and is extended from the protective inflation portion, so that the protection is achieved when the airbag is deployed and inflated. A knee protecting airbag device comprising an auxiliary inflating portion interposed between an inflating portion and the key accessory. 折り畳まれたエアバッグが、
運転者の前方側におけるステアリングコラムの下方に配置されたケースに収納保持され、膨張用ガスの流入時、前記ケースから車両後方側へ突出するとともに上昇しつつ展開膨張を完了させて、保護膨張部により、運転者の膝を保護可能とし、
さらに、前記保護膨張部とキーシリンダに挿入されたキーの付属品との干渉を防止する干渉防止手段を、上縁側付近に備えて、
構成されている膝保護用エアバッグ装置であって、
前記干渉防止手段が、膨張完了時の前記エアバッグの上縁側から凹むように配設されて、展開膨張時の前記保護膨張部と前記キー付属品との接触を不能とする干渉防止凹部により、構成されていることを特徴とする膝保護用エアバッグ装置。 The folded airbag
A protective inflating portion that is housed and held in a case disposed below the steering column on the front side of the driver, and that when the inflating gas flows in, protrudes from the case to the vehicle rear side and completes the expansion and expansion while rising. Makes it possible to protect the driver's knee,
Furthermore, an interference preventing means for preventing interference between the protective expansion portion and the key accessory inserted in the key cylinder is provided near the upper edge side,
A knee protection airbag device configured,
The interference prevention means is disposed so as to be recessed from the upper edge side of the airbag at the time of completion of inflation, and an interference prevention recess for disabling contact between the protective inflation portion and the key accessory during deployment. An air bag device for knee protection, characterized in that it is configured.
JP2004003220A 2004-01-08 2004-01-08 Knee protective air bag device Withdrawn JP2005193819A (en)

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1759936A1 (en) * 2005-08-30 2007-03-07 Takata Corporation Driver's leg protection apparatus
US7571929B2 (en) 2006-11-02 2009-08-11 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Knee airbag device
JP2009196550A (en) * 2008-02-22 2009-09-03 Toyota Motor Corp Airbag device
GB2493051A (en) * 2011-07-18 2013-01-23 Ford Global Tech Llc A knee airbag with selective venting
JP2013203258A (en) * 2012-03-28 2013-10-07 Takata Corp Fold storing method for knee air bag and knee air bag device

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1759936A1 (en) * 2005-08-30 2007-03-07 Takata Corporation Driver's leg protection apparatus
US7314232B2 (en) 2005-08-30 2008-01-01 Takata Corporation Driver leg restraint apparatus
US7571929B2 (en) 2006-11-02 2009-08-11 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Knee airbag device
JP2009196550A (en) * 2008-02-22 2009-09-03 Toyota Motor Corp Airbag device
JP4650499B2 (en) * 2008-02-22 2011-03-16 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Airbag device
GB2493051A (en) * 2011-07-18 2013-01-23 Ford Global Tech Llc A knee airbag with selective venting
US8590928B2 (en) 2011-07-18 2013-11-26 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Knee airbag with passive venting for out of position occupant protection
GB2493051B (en) * 2011-07-18 2017-04-12 Ford Global Tech Llc Knee airbag with passive venting for out of position occupant protection
JP2013203258A (en) * 2012-03-28 2013-10-07 Takata Corp Fold storing method for knee air bag and knee air bag device

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