JP2006188206A - Knee protector device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a knee protector device capable of being provided on an instrument panel of a vehicle without narrowing a cabin and protecting the legs of an occupant seated facing to the instrument panel. <P>SOLUTION: The knee protector device 10 is provided on the instrument panel 12 of the vehicle 11 and protects the leg L of the occupant C seated facing to the instrument panel. The device is provided with a protector body 15 selectively retained to storage attitude S constituting a part of the instrument panel 12 and protection attitude P projected from the storage attitude and protecting the legs of the occupant; a driving mechanism 16 for displacing the protector body from the storage attitude S to the protection attitude P. The protector body 15 has a rotation axis (17) along a width direction of the vehicle 11 on any one edge of an upper edge or a lower edge at the protection attitude P and can be displaced from the storage attitude S to the protection attitude P by pivoting around the rotation axis. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a knee protector device provided on an instrument panel in order to protect a leg of an occupant seated facing the instrument panel, for example, when a vehicle collides.

  In a vehicle, it is known to employ a knee protector device provided in the instrument panel in the vehicle in order to prevent or reduce injury of an occupant's lower limb due to the collision of the vehicle. The knee protector device includes a main body that is displaceable from a storage posture determined in consideration of convenience in the vehicle interior in a normal state to a protective posture that receives a lower limb of an occupant, and a drive device that displaces the main body. .

  In one of the conventional knee protector devices, the main body is disposed above or below the instrument panel in the storage posture, and rotates the drive mechanism disposed inside the instrument panel. As a moving center, the whole moves in parallel along the surface of the instrument panel from above or below the instrument panel, and is displaced to the protective posture at an appropriate height position. In the other conventional knee protector device, the main body is arranged so as to constitute the lid of the glove box in the storage posture, and obliquely below the rear from the position constituting the lid toward the passenger The entire body moves in parallel so as to protrude to the above-mentioned position, thereby displacing to the protective posture.

In any case, the knee protector device, when a collision accident occurs in the vehicle, causes the drive device to displace the main body in the stowed posture to the protective posture, and is in the protective posture. Since the main body receives and protects the lower limbs of the occupant, injury to the limbs of the occupant can be prevented or reduced (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-224078 (page 2-11, FIG. 1)

  However, the knee protector device is configured such that the main body moves in parallel between the storage posture and the protective posture, with the driving mechanism disposed inside the instrument panel as a rotation center. In order to displace the main body from the stowed position to the protective position, the main body in the stowed position is arranged in parallel with the surface above or below the instrument panel. A long displacement region along the height direction of the vehicle is required according to the vertical length of the vehicle. In addition, when the main body is configured to translate rearward and obliquely downward toward the occupant from a position constituting the lid of the glove box, the lid can receive the occupant's lower limb on the surface. In addition, a large space displacement area is required to displace the storage posture to the protective posture. For this reason, in the conventional knee protector device, it is necessary to ensure a relatively large displacement area in the main body, so that the instrument panel in which the conventional knee protector device is incorporated becomes large and the vehicle compartment is narrowed. There was a thing.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a knee protector device that can be provided on an instrument panel of a vehicle without narrowing the passenger compartment, and that can protect a lower limb of an occupant seated facing the instrument panel. It is in.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a knee protector device according to the present invention is provided in an instrument panel of a vehicle and protects the occupant's lower limbs by protruding from the stowed posture and a stowed posture constituting a part of the instrument panel. A protector main body selectively held in the protective posture, and a drive mechanism for displacing the protector main body from the storage posture to the protective posture, and the protector main body has an upper edge or a lower edge in the protective posture. One of the edges has a rotation axis along the width direction of the vehicle, and can be displaced from the stowed position to the protective position by swinging around the rotation axis.

  According to the knee protector device of the present invention, the protector body can be displaced from the stowed position to the protective position by swinging around the rotation axis, so that the protector body is translated in the conventional manner. Compared to a knee protector device, a displacement region of the protector main body from the stowed posture to the protective posture becomes smaller. Therefore, in the knee protector device according to the present invention, it is sufficient to secure a small displacement area for the protector body as compared with the conventional knee protector device, and the instrument in which the knee protector device according to the present invention is incorporated. A panel can be made small and the said vehicle interior can be enlarged.

  The present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of a vehicle 11 provided with a knee protector device 10 according to the present invention.

  The knee protector device 10 protects the lower limb L, particularly the knee, of the occupant C seated on the seat 13 provided to face the instrument panel 12 of the vehicle 11 when an accidental collision occurs in the vehicle 11. It is provided on the instrument panel 12.

  The knee protector device 10 includes a protector main body 15 provided so as to be displaceable in a protective posture P (see FIG. 2) for receiving a lower limb L of an occupant C from a storage posture S constituting a part of the instrument panel 12, and the protector. And a drive mechanism 16 for displacing the main body.

  The protector main body 15 is configured to reinforce the receiving surface portion, and a receiving surface portion 15a constituted by a part of the instrument panel 12 defined by the cleavage groove 17 formed so as to draw a rectangle on the back surface of the instrument panel 12. And a frame portion 15b (see FIG. 3) provided on the back surface 15e side of the receiving surface portion along the edge of the receiving surface portion. The frame 15b has an upper edge 15c (see FIG. 3) and a lower edge 15d (see FIG. 3) at its upper edge 15c (see FIG. 3) and an upper edge rotating shaft 18 and a lower edge rotating shaft that extend along the width direction of the vehicle 11, respectively. 19 is provided. Both ends of the upper edge rotation shaft 18 are rotatably supported by respective one ends of a pair of support members 33 which are fixed to the vehicle 11 and arranged parallel to each other with a space therebetween (see FIG. 3). The cleavage groove 17 is formed so as to be torn when a predetermined external force is applied, similarly to the cleavage groove employed in the airbag system. For this reason, the protector body 15 has the receiving surface 15a separated from the instrument panel 12 by tearing the cleavage groove 17 from the storage posture S in which the receiving surface 15a constitutes a part of the instrument panel 12, and the upper edge rotation shaft. By swinging around 18, the surface 15f of the receiving surface portion 15a can be displaced to a protective posture P (see FIG. 2) that can properly receive the lower limb L of the occupant, particularly the knee.

  The drive mechanism 16 for displacing the protector main body 15 includes an actuating means 20 that performs a linear motion toward the rear of the vehicle 11, and a link mechanism 21 that converts the linear motion of the actuating means into a swinging motion of the protector main body 15. . In the present embodiment, the drive mechanisms 16 are provided on both sides of the protector body 15 in order to stably swing the protector body 15.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each actuating means 20 guides the actuator 22, the actuating part 23 that can move by receiving power from the actuator, and the moving direction of the actuating part along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 11. And a guide portion 24.

  Each guide part 24 is located in front of the upper edge rotation shaft 18 of the protector main body 15 and extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 11. The guide groove guides the operating part 23 along the extension direction. 25 is formed.

  Each operation part 23 guided by each guide part 24 is provided with an operation rotating shaft 26 protruding from the guide groove 25. The operation part 23 is normally disposed at the front end of the vehicle 11 in the guide part 24 with the operation rotation shaft 26 protruding from the guide groove 25.

  Collision detection means 27 (see FIG. 1) that detects a collision of the vehicle 11 and outputs a detection signal is connected to each actuator 22 as a power unit that moves each operation unit 23. In this embodiment, each actuator 22 is an inflator that is used to deploy an airbag (not shown). Each actuator 22 combusts the gas generating agent when receiving a detection signal from the collision detection means 27, and the operating portion 23 is moved along the guide portion 24 by the pressure of the combustion gas generated by this combustion, and the vehicle 11 in each guide portion is driven. Is moved from the front end to the rear end.

  Each guide portion 24 is provided with a stopper 28 for restraining the operation portion 23 moved to the rear end portion of the vehicle 11 in each guide portion to the rear end portion. Each stopper 28 is provided with a locking rod 29 provided on the side surface of the guide portion 24 so as to cross the guide groove 25 of the guide portion 24 so as to be able to contact the operation rotating shaft 26 protruding from the guide groove 25 of the guide portion 24. Have. The locking rod 29 is pivotally attached to one side of the guide groove 25 of the guide portion 24 via a locking rotation shaft 30 along the width direction of the vehicle 11. On the other side of the guide groove 25, a stop pin 31 for restricting the rotation of the locking rod 29 is provided. The locking bar 29 is biased toward the stop pin 31 (see arrow A) by a spring (not shown) so that the lock bar contacts the stop pin 31 from the rear side of the vehicle 11. Yes. When the actuating part 23 moves rearward from the front end of the vehicle 11 in the guide part 24 by the guide part 24, the actuating rotary shaft 26 of the actuating part 23 overcomes the urging force of the spring and the locking rod. 29 is swung, and the operating portion 23 reaches the end portion of the guide portion 24 on the rear side of the vehicle 11. The operating portion 23 moved to the rear end portion of the vehicle 11 is engaged with the locking rod 29 whose rotation is restricted by the stop pin 31 in the guide groove 25 in the rear of the vehicle 11. Restrained at the end of the side.

  Each link mechanism 21 has a pair of link members 32 spaced from each other in order to connect both ends of the lower edge rotation shaft 19 of the protector body 15 and each actuating means 20 on both sides of the protector body 15. (See FIG. 3). One end of each link member 32 is pivotally attached to the protector body 15 via the lower edge rotation shaft 19 of the protector body 15, and the other end is pivotally attached to the operation portion 23 via the operation rotation shaft 26 of the operation portion 23. Yes.

  In the present embodiment, both support members 33 that rotatably support both ends of the upper edge rotation shaft 18 of the protector body 15 are fixed to the guide portion 24 of the actuating means 20. Since the upper edge rotation shaft 18 only needs to be fixedly supported by the vehicle 11, it may be pivotally attached to the instrument panel 12, for example, and is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The protector body 15 that can swing around the upper edge rotation shaft 18 has a lower edge rotation shaft 19 provided at the lower end thereof connected to the operation portion 23 of each operation means 20 via a link member 32. With the operation of each actuating means 20, the storage posture S can be displaced to a protective posture P indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the link member 32 and the support member 33 are easily deformed to absorb this impact when the protector body 15 in the protective posture P receives the lower limb L of the occupant. The bent portion is provided at the intermediate position, and the support member 33 has a higher strength than the link member 32.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in order to form a glove box 34 (see FIG. 1) inside the instrument panel 12, the protector main body 15 and the drive mechanism 16 cooperate with the instrument panel 12. A partition wall 36 that forms a closed space 35 is provided. The partition wall 36 is parallel to each other in the height direction of the vehicle 11 on the inner side of the bottom wall portion 36 a (see FIG. 1) along the back surface of the protector body 15 from above the protector body 15 and each drive mechanism 16. A pair of side wall portions 36b rising along the vehicle and a rear wall portion 36c rising along the height direction of the vehicle on the front side of the vehicle 11 are provided. As shown in FIG. 1, a lid body that is pivotally supported by the instrument panel 12 at both ends so as to open and close the opening opening 12 a formed in the instrument panel 12 in order to open the space 35 to the passenger compartment 14. By providing 37, a glove box 34 is configured.

  In the vehicle 11 provided with the knee protector device 10 according to the present invention, when the collision detection unit 27 detects an unexpected collision accident, the actuator 22 that has received the detection signal from the collision detection unit causes the guide unit 24 to The operating unit 23 arranged at the front end is moved to the rear end of the vehicle 11. When the operating portion 23 moves along the guide of the guide portion 24 to the end of the protector body 15 on the rear side of the vehicle 11 so as to approach the upper edge rotation shaft 18 of the protector body 15, the operating portion 23 and the protector body 15 are moved. Since the link member 32 to be connected converts the linear motion of the operating portion 23 into a swing motion around the upper edge rotation shaft 18 of the protector main body 15, the protector main body 15 is displaced from the storage posture S to the protective posture P (see FIG. (See 4 arrow B.) The actuating portion 23 that has moved to the rear end portion of the vehicle 11 is restrained by the end portion on the rear side of the vehicle 11 in the guide portion 24 by the stopper 28, so that the protector body 15 is held in the protective posture P.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the protector body 15 in the protective posture P can receive the occupant's lower limbs L at an appropriate height position, as described above. When the protector main body 15 in the protective posture P receives the occupant's lower limb L, the link member 32 and the support member 33 that are easily deformed by having a bent portion are deformed and absorb the impact, so the occupant's lower limb L To protect properly. In the present embodiment, since the support member 33 that supports the upper portion of the protector body 15 has a greater strength than the link member 32 that supports the lower portion of the protector body 15, the knee protector device 10 includes the protector body 15. When the lower limb L of the occupant is received at the upper part of the protector, a larger impact can be absorbed than when the lower limb L of the occupant is received at the lower part of the protector body. In general, the occupant gains weight in accordance with the height of the occupant and the position of the lower limb L in the sitting posture increases. Therefore, when the link member 32 and the support member 33 are set as in the present embodiment, the occupant's lower limb L Can be protected more appropriately.

  Therefore, in the knee protector device 10 according to the present invention, the protector main body 15 is displaced from the storage posture S to the protective posture P when the protector main body 15 swings around the upper edge rotation shaft 18, and thus the protector main body is moved in parallel. Compared with the knee protector device, the displacement area of the protector body 15 can be reduced. For this reason, even if the knee protector device 10 according to the present invention is incorporated in the instrument panel 12, the instrument panel can be made smaller and the vehicle compartment 14 can be made wider, for example, below the instrument panel 12. , That is, the space for the lower limb L of the occupant can be widened.

  In the knee protector device 10 according to the present invention, the protector main body 15 in the storage posture S is disposed in the vicinity of the drive mechanism along the movement direction of the drive mechanism 16 that performs linear motion to displace the protector main body. Therefore, the thickness in the direction orthogonal to the direction of motion of the drive mechanism 16 can be reduced.

  In the knee protector device 10 according to the present invention, the protective posture P of the protector body 15 is maintained by the stopper 28 restraining the actuating portion 23 of the actuating means 20 to the end of the guide portion 24 on the vehicle 11 rear side. Thus, the protector body 15 can be held in the protective posture P without requiring a complicated mechanism.

  In the knee protector device 10 according to the present invention, the glove box 34 can be provided between the protector body 15 and the drive mechanism 16, and space can be used effectively.

  Further, in the knee protector device 10 according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, by appropriately setting the link length of the link member 32, the protector main body 15 in the protective posture P without changing other members at all. The angle with respect to the instrument panel 12 can be set. FIG. 5A shows a case where the link length is set to be long, and FIG. 5B shows a case where the link length is set to be short.

  Therefore, according to the knee protector device 10 according to the present invention, it is possible to provide the instrument panel 12 of the vehicle 11 without narrowing the passenger compartment 14, and protect the lower limb L of the occupant seated facing the instrument panel. be able to.

  Next, Example 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the characteristic part of the second embodiment is that the airbag 42 is deployed along the surface 41 a of the receiving surface portion 41 of the protector body 40 in accordance with the displacement of the protector body 40 to the protective posture P. It is in. Since the basic configuration of the knee protector device 100 is the same as that of the knee protector device 10 of the first embodiment, the same functional parts are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The protector main body 40 of the knee protector apparatus 100 is provided with an airbag mechanism 43 on the back surface 41b side of the receiving surface portion 41 as shown in FIG. Although not shown, the airbag mechanism 43 is electrically connected to the collision detection means 27, and a detection signal from the collision detection means 27 is input in the same manner as each actuator 22. The airbag mechanism 43 includes an inflator 44, an airbag 42, and a storage case 45 in which the inflator 44 and the airbag 42 are stored. The inflator 44 is configured to be started in response to the input of a detection signal from the collision detection means 27 to the airbag mechanism 43, and when started, the inflator 44 burns the gas generating agent and generates combustion gas by this combustion. In the second embodiment, as will be described later, the inflator 44 is configured to burn the gas generating agent after a certain period of time after the airbag mechanism 43 receives the detection signal from the collision detection means 27, that is, to start. It is said that. This combustion gas is injected into the airbag 42.

  The airbag 42 is folded and accommodated in the accommodation case 45 so as to be efficiently expanded and deployed by the combustion gas injected into the interior. The housing case 45 has an elongated box shape as a whole, and a surface (45a) (see FIG. 7) facing the back surface 41b of the receiving surface portion 41 is opened by the expansion force of the airbag 42. It is configured as. In the second embodiment, the airbag 42 covers substantially the lower half of the surface 41a of the receiving surface portion 41, covers the airbag lid portion 46 that protrudes from below the receiving surface portion 41 and is in contact with the surface 41a described later. And is set so as to expand along the surface 41a of the receiving surface portion 41 (see FIG. 9). In the second embodiment, the housing case 45 (airbag mechanism 43) is disposed along the width direction of the vehicle 11 at a position biased downward from the intermediate position of the receiving surface portion 41 when viewed in the height direction of the vehicle 11. ing.

  On the receiving surface portion 41 of the protector body 40, an airbag lid portion 46 is formed at a position facing the bulging portion 45 a of the housing case 45 of the airbag mechanism 43. The airbag lid portion 46 is defined by a tear groove 47 formed so as to draw a long rectangle corresponding to the bulging portion 45 a of the housing case 45, and the receiving surface portion 41 due to the inflation force of the airbag 42. A part of is opened in a rectangular shape. In Example 2, the depth of the upper side 47a of the cleavage groove 47 is set to be shallow, and when receiving the inflation force of the airbag 42, the three sides excluding the upper side 47a are separated from the receiving surface portion 41 and the upper side. Only 47 a is not separated from the receiving surface portion 41. For this reason, in the second embodiment, the airbag lid portion 46 swings around the upper side 47a of the cleavage groove 47 by the expansion force of the airbag 42 and comes into contact with the surface 41a of the receiving surface portion 41 (see FIG. 9).

  An airbag receiving mechanism 48 is provided on the back surface 41 b side of the receiving surface portion 41 of the protector body 40. The airbag receiving mechanism 48 is disposed on the lower edge side of the receiving surface portion 41 with respect to the airbag mechanism 43, and includes a plate-like member 49 and a holding portion 50 that holds the plate-like member 49 so that it can be displaced. In Example 2, the plate-like member 49 has a plate shape that is set to a size that covers substantially the lower half of the airbag lid portion 46 and extends to the vicinity of the lower edge of the receiving surface portion 41. It is made into the shape along the receiving surface part 41 which curves.

  The holding portion 50 is a guide member attached to the back surface 41 b side of the receiving surface portion 41 of the protector body 40 so as to extend along both sides of the plate-like member 49. The holding portion 50 is formed with a guide groove 50a along the extending direction, and the projecting rod 49a provided near the upper ends on both sides of the plate-like member 49 is slidably engaged with the guide groove 50a. Are combined. The guide groove 50a guides the movement of the protruding rod 49a to define the movement range, so that the lower end of the plate-like member 49 is positioned in the vicinity of the lower edge of the receiving surface portion 41 and the airbag lid portion 46 has a lower end. It is possible to change from a housing posture S ′ covering substantially the lower half to a protective posture P ′ (see FIG. 9) protruding from the lower edge of the receiving surface portion 41.

  The plate-like member 49 is in the accommodation posture S ′ when the protector body 40 is in the accommodation posture S, that is, in the normal state where the knee protector device 100 is not in operation. In order to maintain the state of the housing posture S ′, a locking piece 51 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) is provided on the back surface 41 b of the receiving surface portion 41 of the protector body 40.

  In the second embodiment, the plate-like member 49 covers substantially the lower half of the airbag lid 46, so that when the airbag 42 of the airbag mechanism 43 is inflated from the housing case 45, the plate-like member 49 is inflated. The upper end is pressed by the airbag 42 in the process. The locking piece 51 is set so as to be deformed by being pressed through the plate-like member 49 that has received the inflation output of the airbag 42, and the plate-like member 49 is from the airbag 42 that is inflated. The holding posture S ′ (see FIG. 8) is displaced from the housing posture S ′ (see FIG. 9) by the pressing force. Note that the locking piece 51 is not limited to the second embodiment as long as it maintains the state of the accommodation posture S ′ of the plate-like member 49 as described above.

  In the knee protector device 100, in order to provide the airbag receiving mechanism 48, a frame portion 52 that constitutes a part of the protector main body 40 and is provided on the back surface 41b of the receiving surface portion 41 has a U-shape that opens the lower end. . For this reason, in the knee protector device 100, although not shown, a lower edge rotation shaft 19 ′ (see FIGS. 7 to 9) is provided at both lower ends 52a of the frame portion 52, and this lower edge rotation shaft 19 ′. Both lower ends 52a of the frame portion 52 are pivotally attached to the link member 32 via the.

  In the vehicle 11 provided with the knee protector device 100 according to the second embodiment, when the collision detection unit 27 detects an unexpected collision accident, the protector body 40 is moved from the storage posture S (see FIG. 7) as in the first embodiment. Displacement to the protective posture P (see FIG. 8). Further, the inflator 44 of the airbag mechanism 43 that has received the detection signal from the collision detection means 27 operates after a certain period of time has elapsed after receiving the detection signal. In the second embodiment, this fixed time is set to a time until the protector main body 40 starts to be displaced from the storage posture S after the tear groove 17 is broken, that is, a time until the protector main body 40 is separated from the instrument panel 12. ing.

  When the inflator 44 is started, the airbag 42 of the airbag mechanism 43 starts to expand from the housing case 45. By this expansion output, the plate-like member 49 is displaced from the housing posture S ′ to the protective posture P ′, and the airbag lid portion 46 is swung to open a part of the receiving surface portion 41 of the protector body 40. An opening 40a for bulging the bag 42 is formed (see FIG. 9). At this time, since the fixed time is set, the protector body 40 is separated from the instrument panel 12 when the inflator 44 is started. The displacement of the protector main body 40 from the accommodation posture S to the protective posture P due to the displacement toward ′, that is, the protrusion from the lower edge of the receiving surface portion 41 is prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the airbag 42 is deployed so as to cover the surface 41 a of the receiving surface portion 41 on the surface 41 a side of the receiving surface portion 41, that is, the passenger side, through the opening 40 a of the receiving surface portion 41. As described above, the airbag 42 is configured to be deployed below the lower edge of the receiving surface portion 41. The lower portion 42a of the airbag 42 protruding from the lower edge of the receiving surface portion 41 protrudes from the lower edge of the receiving surface portion 41 instead of being supported by the receiving surface portion 41 from the instrument panel 12 side (the front side of the vehicle 11). Is supported by a plate-like member 49 having a protective posture P ′. Thus, the plate-like member 49 in the protective posture P ′ forms a surface that receives the force input from the lower limb L of the occupant on the airbag 42.

  In the knee protector device 100 according to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the knee protector device 10 according to the first embodiment.

  Since the surface 41a of the receiving surface part 41 of the protector main body 40 is covered with the airbag 42, the occupant's lower limb L can be more appropriately protected.

  Since the surface 41a of the receiving surface portion 41 of the protector main body 40 is covered with the airbag 42, the lower limb L of the occupant is generally present when the deployed airbag 42 is traveling in a normal state. It is possible to set the setting position of the protective posture P of the protector body 40 so as to come into contact with the lower limb L at the predicted position. Thus, when the position of the protective posture P of the protector body 40 is set, the flexible airbag 42 is pressed against the occupant's lower limb L in the event of an accidental collision, and the occupant's impact is caused by the impact of the collision accident. It is possible to suppress the lower limb L from moving toward the instrument panel 12 side (the front side of the vehicle 11). For this reason, a passenger | crew's leg L can be protected more appropriately.

  Since the deployed lower portion 42a of the airbag 42 is supported from the instrument panel 12 side by the plate-like member 49 of the airbag receiving mechanism 48, the lower portion 42a of the airbag 42 protruding from the receiving surface portion 41 of the protector body 40. Even so, the lower limb L of the occupant can be received. Thereby, irrespective of a passenger | crew's physique and the magnitude | size of the instrument panel 12, a passenger | crew's leg L can be protected appropriately over the wide range below the instrument panel 12. FIG.

  In the knee protector device 100 according to the second embodiment, the airbag mechanism 43 deploys the airbag 42 after a certain time has elapsed after receiving the detection signal from the collision detection means 27, that is, the protector body 40. However, when the protector main body 40 is predicted to receive the lower limb L of the occupant, the protector main body 40 is set to the protective posture P. The airbag 42 may be deployed on the surface 41a of the receiving surface portion 41, and the timing (time) for deploying the airbag 42 can be set as appropriate. This setting is performed, for example, by the time required for the protector main body 40 to be displaced from the storage posture S to the protective posture P, the time required for deploying the airbag 42, and the plate-like member 49 in the storage posture S ′ if necessary. The time required to move from the protective posture P ′ to the protective posture P ′ may be taken into consideration. As another example, when the knee protector device 100 receives the detection signal from the collision detection means 27, the airbag mechanism 43 is operated first to deploy the airbag 42, and then the protector body 40 is displaced to the protective posture P. It can be set as the structure made to do. In this case, since the plate-like member 49 of the airbag receiving mechanism 48 is provided on the back surface 41b of the receiving surface portion 41 of the protector main body 40, the protector main body 40 is accommodated so as not to prevent the protector main body 40 from being displaced. After the displacement from the posture S, it is necessary to move the storage posture S ′ to the protective posture P ′. For this reason, the airbag receiving mechanism 48 needs to be provided with a mechanism for displacing the plate-like member 49 instead of displacing the plate-like member 49 by the expansion force of the airbag 42. For such a mechanism for displacing the plate-like member 49, for example, an inflator can be used in the same manner as the actuators 22 for displacing the protector body 40.

  In the second embodiment described above, the airbag receiving mechanism 48 is provided on the back surface side of the protector body 40, that is, the back surface 41b of the receiving surface portion 41, but this can be eliminated. For example, if the deployment range of the airbag 42 is set within the range of the surface 41 a of the receiving surface portion 41, it is not necessary to provide the airbag receiving mechanism 48.

  In the second embodiment described above, the plate-like member 49 of the airbag receiving mechanism 48 is configured to be displaced by the inflation force of the airbag 42. However, the protector main body 40 in the protective posture P moves the occupant's lower limb L. For example, a driving mechanism for the plate-like member 49 may be provided as long as it is displaced to the protective posture P ′ when receiving, and is not limited to the above-described second embodiment.

  In the above-described second embodiment, the plate-like member 49 has a plate shape set to a size that covers substantially the lower half of the airbag lid portion 46 and extends to the vicinity of the lower edge of the receiving surface portion 41. Although the shape is along the receiving surface portion 41 that is curved as a whole, it may be any shape as long as it receives the lower portion 42a of the airbag 42 when displaced to the protective posture P ′, and is not limited to the second embodiment.

  In the above-described second embodiment, the airbag device 43 and the airbag lid portion 46 are located at a position biased below the intermediate position of the receiving surface portion 41 of the protector body 40 when viewed in the height direction of the vehicle 11. Although provided along the width direction, it can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the instrument panel 12 and the set position of the protector main body 40 with respect to the shape, and is not limited to the second embodiment.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the drive mechanism 16 for displacing the protector main body 15 is configured by the actuating means 20 and the link mechanism 21, but the protector main body 15 can be displaced from the storage posture S to the protective posture P. What is necessary is just to be able to do, and it is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the protector body 15 is provided so as to be swingable around the upper edge rotation shaft 18 provided on the upper edge of the protector body. It may be provided so as to be able to swing around, and is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the link member 32 and the support member 33 that support the protector main body 15 are provided with bent portions at intermediate positions, but the protector main body 15 in the protective posture P has received the occupant's lower limb L. At this time, any deformation may be used as long as the shock is absorbed, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the stopper 28 is configured to prevent the actuator rotating shaft 26 of the operating portion 23 from moving toward the front side of the vehicle 11 within the guide groove 25. As long as the protective posture P is maintained, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

It is sectional drawing which shows typically the knee protector apparatus which concerns on this invention, and its vicinity. It is sectional drawing similar to FIG. 1 which shows the case where the protector main body of the knee protector apparatus which concerns on this invention exists in a protection attitude | position. It is a typical perspective view of a knee protector apparatus. It is the expanded sectional view which expanded and showed the neighborhood of a knee protector device. It is sectional drawing similar to FIG. 3 which shows typically that the angle with respect to the instrument panel of the protector main body in the accommodation attitude | position S can be changed by changing the link length of a link member. It is drawing for demonstrating the other example of the knee protector apparatus which concerns on this invention, and is a perspective view which shows a protector main body. It is sectional drawing similar to FIG. 1 which shows the other example of the knee protector apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing the protector body in a protective posture. It is sectional drawing similar to FIG. 8 which shows the time of an airbag being expand | deployed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Knee protector apparatus 11 Vehicle 12 Instrument panel 15, 40 Protector main body 15c Upper edge 15d Lower edge 16 Drive mechanism 17 Upper edge rotating shaft 18 Lower edge rotating shaft 20 Actuation means 21 Link mechanism 22 Actuator 23 Actuation (as power section) Part 24 guide part 26 operating rotary shaft 27 collision detection means 28 stopper 32 link member 33 support member 36 partition wall 41a surface 41b (as the front face of the protector body) back face 42 (as the back face of the protector body) airbag 43 airbag mechanism 49 Plate member C Crew L Lower limb S Storage posture P Protective posture

Claims (13)

A knee protector device provided on an instrument panel of a vehicle for protecting a leg of an occupant seated facing the instrument panel,
A protector body that is part of the instrument panel and a protector body that is selectively held in a protective position that protrudes from the stored position and protects the lower limbs of an occupant, and the protector body is displaced from the stored position to the protected position A drive mechanism
The protector body has a rotation axis along the width direction of the vehicle at either the upper edge or the lower edge in the protection posture, and the protector body is moved from the stowed posture by swinging around the rotation axis. A knee protector device that can be displaced to a protective posture.   The drive mechanism is disposed on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the protector main body, and the drive mechanism performs a linear motion toward the rear of the vehicle, and the linear motion of the actuation device is The knee protector device according to claim 1, further comprising a link mechanism for converting the swing motion of the protector body.   The actuating means includes an actuating part provided movably, a power part that moves the actuating part, and a guide part that guides the movement of the actuating part along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, One end of the link mechanism is pivotally attached to the other edge of the two edges of the protector body via a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the protector body, and the other end is the operating portion of the operating means. The knee protector device according to claim 2, further comprising a link member pivotally attached via a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the protector body.   And a support member having one end pivotally attached to the protector body via a rotation axis along the rotation axis of the protector body and the other end fixed to the guide part, the support member and the link member, The knee protector device according to claim 3, wherein the protector body in the protective posture is deformed to absorb an impact when receiving a lower limb of an occupant.   The knee protector device according to claim 4, wherein the support member has a strength higher than that of the link member.   The knee member according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the link member has a link length corresponding to an angle of the protector main body with respect to the instrument panel in the protection posture. Protector device.   The guide part of the actuating means is provided with a stopper capable of restraining the actuating part of the actuating means at a rear position in the guide part in order to maintain the protective posture of the protector body. The knee protector device according to any one of claims 3 to 6.   Furthermore, it has a partition wall which forms the closed space between the said protector main body and the said drive mechanism in cooperation with the said instrument panel, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 7 characterized by the above-mentioned. The knee protector device described in 1. A knee protector device provided on an instrument panel of a vehicle for protecting a leg of an occupant seated facing the instrument panel,
A protector body that is part of the instrument panel and a protector body that is selectively held in a protective position that protrudes from the stored position and protects the lower limbs of an occupant, and the protector body is displaced from the stored position to the protected position And a collision detection means for outputting a collision detection signal to the drive mechanism upon detecting an impact on the vehicle,
The protector body has a rotation axis along the width direction of the vehicle at either the upper edge or the lower edge in the protection posture, and the protector body is moved from the stowed posture by swinging around the rotation axis. It can be displaced to a protective posture,
The knee protector device, wherein the drive mechanism displaces the protector main body from the stowed position to the protective position when the collision detection signal is input from the collision detection means.   An air bag mechanism is disposed on the back surface opposite to the occupant of the protector body, and the air bag mechanism is connected to the occupant of the protector body when the collision detection signal is input from the collision detection means. The knee protector according to claim 9, wherein the airbag is deployed on a surface on the opposite side.   The knee protector according to claim 10, wherein the protector body is provided with a lid portion that is opened by receiving an inflating force of the airbag by the airbag mechanism.   The back surface of the protector body is provided with a plate-like member along the protector body, and the plate-like member can be displaced to a position protruding from the lower edge of the protector body. The knee protector device according to claim 11, wherein the knee protector device is movably held along the protector and protrudes from the lower edge of the protector body when the protector body is displaced to the protective posture. 13. The knee protector device according to claim 12, wherein the plate-like member protrudes from the lower edge of the protector body in response to a force for deploying the airbag by the airbag mechanism.

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