JP2005096511A - Crew protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain optimum restraint performance according to a collision state.
When a control circuit determines that a vehicle body has collided with a collision acceleration of a predetermined value or more based on a detection signal from an acceleration sensor, the control circuit activates an inflator and activates an active knee bolster by a branch valve. And the knee airbag 26 are activated. Further, when the control circuit 14 determines that the vehicle body has collided with a collision acceleration lower than a predetermined value, the control circuit 14 operates the inflator 40 and operates only the knee airbag 26 by the branch valve 42.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an occupant protection device, and more particularly to an occupant protection device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an occupant protection device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile has a known configuration including a knee airbag (air bag) that can be inflated by inflow of gas when an impact is applied to the vehicle body ( For example, see Patent Document 1.) Further, an active knee bolster in which a holding piece of a knee protection device that restrains the occupant's knee sitting on the seat moves in the direction of the occupant's knee by a servo drive device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). .)
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-61756 Japanese Patent No. 2528403

  However, when both the knee airbag in the configuration of Patent Document 1 and the active knee bolster in the configuration of Patent Document 2 are mounted on the vehicle body, the knee airbag and the active knee bolster are independent of the collision state. By actuating both, optimal leg restraint performance is not always obtained.

  An object of the present invention is to obtain an occupant protection device that can obtain optimum restraint performance in accordance with a collision state in consideration of the above facts.

The occupant protection device of the present invention according to claim 1 is an active knee bolster that restrains the lower limb of the occupant by moving the lower limb restraint,
A knee airbag that restrains the lower limbs of the occupant by deploying the lower limb restraint airbag bag body;
A collision sensor for detecting collision acceleration;
When the collision acceleration detected by the collision sensor is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, both the active knee bolster and the knee airbag are operated. When the collision acceleration detected by the collision sensor is not greater than the predetermined value, the knee knee bolster is activated. Control means for operating only the airbag;
It is characterized by having.

  Therefore, when the collision acceleration detected by the collision sensor is greater than or equal to a predetermined value at the time of a vehicle collision, an active knee bolster that moves the lower limb restraining portion by the control means, and a knee airbag that deploys the lower limb restraining airbag bag body, Operate both. On the other hand, if the collision acceleration detected by the collision sensor is not greater than or equal to a predetermined value at the time of a vehicle body collision, only the knee airbag that deploys the leg restraining airbag bag body is activated by the control means. As a result, it is possible to obtain optimum restraint performance according to the collision acceleration.

The occupant protection device of the present invention according to claim 2 is an active knee bolster that restrains the lower limb of the occupant by moving the lower limb restraint,
A knee airbag that restrains the lower limbs of the occupant by deploying the lower limb restraint airbag bag body;
A seat belt sensor for detecting the seat belt wearing state;
When the seat belt sensor detects that the seat belt is not attached, a control means for operating only the active knee bolster at the time of a vehicle body collision;
It is characterized by having.

  Therefore, when the seat belt sensor detects that the seat belt is not worn at the time of a vehicle collision, only the active knee bolster that moves the lower limb restraining portion is operated by the control means. As a result, it is possible to obtain the optimum restraining performance according to the wearing state of the seat belt.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the occupant protection device according to any one of the first and second aspects, a gas supply means for supplying gas to both the active knee bolster and the knee airbag;
A branch valve disposed in a gas flow path from the gas supply means to the active knee bolster and the knee airbag and operated by an output signal from the control means;
It is characterized by having.

  Therefore, in addition to the contents described in any one of claims 1 and 2, the gas flow connected to the active knee bolster and the knee airbag from the gas supply means for supplying gas to both the active knee bolster and the knee airbag. The branch valve disposed on the road is switched by an output signal from the control means to activate both or one of the active knee bolster and the knee airbag. As a result, only one gas supply means is required and the cost can be reduced.

  The occupant protection device according to the first aspect of the present invention restrains an occupant's lower limb by deploying an active knee bolster that restrains the occupant's lower limb by moving the lower limb restraint and a lower limb restraint airbag bag. A collision sensor that detects a collision acceleration, a collision sensor that detects a collision acceleration, and a collision sensor detected by the collision sensor that activates both the active knee bolster and the knee airbag when the collision acceleration detected by the collision sensor exceeds a predetermined value. And a control unit that activates only the knee airbag when the acceleration is not equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that optimum restraint performance can be obtained according to the collision acceleration.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an occupant protection device according to the present invention that restrains an occupant's lower limb portion by deploying an active knee bolster that restrains the lower limb portion of the occupant by moving the lower limb restraint portion and a lower limb restraint airbag bag body. A knee airbag, a seat belt sensor for detecting a seat belt wearing state, and a control means for operating only an active knee bolster when a seat belt sensor detects that the seat belt is not worn. Therefore, it has an excellent effect that the optimum restraining performance can be obtained according to the wearing state of the seat belt.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the occupant protection device according to any one of the first and second aspects, a gas supply means for supplying gas to both the active knee bolster and the knee airbag, and a gas supply means From the active knee bolster to the knee air bag, and a branch valve that is operated by an output signal from the control means. In addition, it has an excellent effect that the cost can be reduced.

  An embodiment of an occupant protection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the figure, the arrow FR indicates the vehicle body front direction, and the arrow UP indicates the vehicle body upward direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the occupant protection device of this embodiment includes an acceleration sensor 12 as a collision sensor that detects deceleration of the vehicle body and detects a collision of the vehicle body. The acceleration sensor 12 is disposed on each of the left and right front side members, and is connected to a control circuit 14 serving as control means having a microcomputer.

  On the instrument panel 18 of the vehicle body, an active knee bolster 24 and a knee air as an occupant protection device are respectively provided in front of the left and right front seats 20 (shown in FIG. 1) that are a driver seat and a passenger seat. A bag 26 is provided. Each active knee bolster 24 is provided in a pair facing the left and right lower limbs (particularly knees) 28 </ b> A of the occupant 28 seated on the front seat 20, and a knee airbag 26 is disposed below the active knee bolster 24. The left and right lower limbs 28A of the occupant 28 seated on the front seat 20 are disposed to face each other.

  In addition, the active knee bolster 24 moves the lower limb restraining portion 30 that restrains the left and right lower limb portions 28A of the occupant 28 seated on the front seat 20 from the diagonally upper front side of the vehicle body, and the lower limb restraining portion 30 moves to the lower limb portion 28A side of the occupant 28. The knee airbag 26 includes a knee airbag body 26A that restrains the left and right lower limbs 28A of the occupant 28 seated on the front seat 20 from the diagonally upper front side of the vehicle body.

  The lower leg restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 includes a plate-like base material 30A and an EA material 30B disposed on the occupant side of the base material 30A, and an instrument panel is provided on the occupant side surface of the EA material 30B. A part 18B of the 18 general surfaces 18A is fixed.

  On the other hand, the knee airbag body 26A of the knee airbag 26 is stored in the instrument panel 18 in a folded state, and a part of the general surface 18A of the instrument panel 18 when deployed and inflated. 18C is pushed open to expand and expand into the vehicle interior.

  The active knee bolster 24 is fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement 36 via a bracket 38, and the knee airbag 26 is also fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement 36 via a bracket (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 5, an inflator 40 as a gas supply means for supplying gas to the knee airbag body 26A and the actuator 32 of the active knee bolster 24 is disposed on the vehicle body front side of the knee airbag body 26A. A branch valve 42 made up of a solenoid valve or the like is connected to the inflator 40.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the branch valve 42 is disposed in the middle of the gas flow path 44 that connects the inflator 40 to the actuator 32 of the active knee bolster 24 and the knee airbag body 26 </ b> A, and there are three branch valves 42. Open / close valves 42A, 42B, and 42C. The on-off valve 42A is connected to the actuator 32 of the active knee bolster 24, and the on-off valve 42B is connected to the knee airbag body 26A. Furthermore, the on-off valve 42C is a relief valve. The on / off valves 42A, 42B and 42C of the branch valve 42 are controlled to be opened / closed by an output signal from the control circuit 14.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a seat belt sensor 50 that detects the seat belt 46 is disposed on the buckle 48 of the seat belt 46 that restrains the occupant 28 seated on the front seat 20. Further, the seat belt sensor 50 is connected to the control circuit 14, and the control circuit 14 can detect the wearing state of the seat belt 46 by an output signal from the seat belt sensor 50.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, when the vehicle body collides, the control circuit 14 first determines whether or not the vehicle body has collided based on input signals from the acceleration sensors 12 respectively disposed on the left and right front side members. In addition, it is determined whether or not the collision acceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  When it is determined that the vehicle body has collided with a collision acceleration of a predetermined value or more, the control circuit 14 operates the inflator 40, opens the on-off valves 42A and 42B of the branch valve 42, and closes the on-off valve 42C. As a result, the actuator 32 is actuated by the gas generated from the inflator 40, and the lower limb restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 moves linearly in the occupant direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2), from the storage position shown in FIG. It moves to the leg restraint position shown in FIG. 2, and the leg part of the passenger | crew 28 is prevented from jumping up. At the same time, the gas generated from the inflator 40 causes the knee airbag bag body 26A to inflate and deploy in the occupant direction (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2), and from the retracted state shown in FIG. 1 to the lower limb protected state shown in FIG. Become.

  When it is determined that the vehicle body has collided with a collision acceleration lower than the predetermined value (not higher than the predetermined value), the control circuit 14 operates the inflator 40 and opens the open / close valves 42B and 42C of the branch valve 42 to open / close The valve 42A is closed. As a result, due to the gas generated from the inflator 40, only the knee airbag body 26A is inflated and deployed in the occupant direction (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3), and from the retracted state shown in FIG. 1 to the lower limb protected state shown in FIG. Become. In addition, an excess pressure can be discharged | emitted by opening the on-off valve 42C.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, optimal restraint performance can be obtained according to the collision acceleration.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 14 detects the unmounted state (unbelted state) of the seat belt 46 based on the detection signal from the seat belt sensor 50, and when the vehicle body collides, the branch valve 42 is used. The on-off valves 42A and 42C are opened, and the on-off valve 42B is closed. As a result, only the actuator 32 of the active knee bolster 24 is actuated by the gas generated from the inflator 40, and the lower leg restraining portion 30 of the active knee bolster 24 moves linearly in the occupant direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4). 4 to the leg restraining position shown in FIG. 4 to prevent the leg of the occupant 28 from jumping up. In addition, an excess pressure can be discharged | emitted by opening the on-off valve 42C.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the optimum restraining force performance can be obtained even in accordance with the wearing state of the seat belt 46.

  In the present embodiment, the inflator 40 that supplies gas to both the actuator 32 and the knee airbag bag body 26A of the active knee bolster 24 is disposed in the gas flow path 44 that is connected to the actuator 32 and the knee airbag bag body 26A. The divided branch valve 42 is actuated by an output signal from the control circuit 14 to actuate both or one of the actuator 32 and the knee airbag bag body 26A. As a result, only one inflator 40 is required and the cost can be reduced.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, in the above embodiment, the occupant protection device of the present invention is applied to the front seats (driver seat and front passenger seat), but the occupant protection device of the present invention is also applicable to seats other than the front seat such as a rear seat.

It is a schematic sectional side view which shows the vehicle interior front part to which the passenger | crew protection device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the compartment front part to which the passenger | crew protection device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the compartment front part to which the passenger | crew protection device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows the compartment front part to which the passenger | crew protection device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is the perspective view seen from the vehicle body slanting back which shows the principal part of the passenger protection device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the passenger | crew protection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

12 Acceleration sensor (collision sensor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Control circuit 24 Active knee bolster 26 Knee airbag 26A Knee airbag bag body 30 Active knee bolster leg restraint part 32 Actuator of active knee bolster 42 Branch valve 46 Seat belt 50 Seat belt sensor

Claims (3)

An active knee bolster that restrains the occupant's lower limb by moving the lower limb restraint,
A knee airbag that restrains the lower limbs of the occupant by deploying the lower limb restraint airbag bag body;
A collision sensor for detecting collision acceleration;
When the collision acceleration detected by the collision sensor is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, both the active knee bolster and the knee airbag are operated. When the collision acceleration detected by the collision sensor is not greater than the predetermined value, the knee knee bolster is activated. Control means for operating only the airbag;
An occupant protection device comprising: An active knee bolster that restrains the occupant's lower limb by moving the lower limb restraint,
A knee airbag that restrains the lower limbs of the occupant by deploying the lower limb restraint airbag bag body;
A seat belt sensor for detecting the seat belt wearing state;
When the seat belt sensor detects that the seat belt is not attached, a control means for operating only the active knee bolster at the time of a vehicle body collision;
An occupant protection device comprising: Gas supply means for supplying gas to both the active knee bolster and the knee airbag;
A branch valve disposed in a gas flow path from the gas supply means to the active knee bolster and the knee airbag and operated by an output signal from the control means;
The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the occupant protection device is provided.

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