Occupant protection device

Abstract

To provide an occupant protection device that can reduce loads that are given to an occupant by a steering part when collision occurs on a vehicle.SOLUTION: An occupant protection device comprises: a steering part 100 storing an airbag AB that inflates and expands toward an occupant P when collision occurs on a vehicle V; a column shaft part 300 through which steering operation is transmitted to front wheels of the vehicle V; a steering boss part 200 fixed with the steering part 100, at a rear side of the vehicle and engaged with the column shaft part 300 so that an angle thereof can be freely adjusted, at the front side of the vehicle; and a spacer part 400, provided to be slidable toward a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which engages with the steering boss part 200 to block an opening part therein. The steering boss part 200 is provided with: a gas passage 220, provided inside an outer peripheral wall part OW in the steering boss part 200, which is connected with an inflator 240; and a plunger 230, slidably provided inside the gas passage 220, which is in contact with the front side of the vehicle of the spacer part 400.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an occupant protection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Passenger protection devices that inflate and deploy an airbag from the steering wheel of a vehicle to protect an occupant seated in the driver's seat when a frontal collision occurs have been put into practical use and are widely used.

[0003] The passenger protection device described above includes a steering column with an impact absorbing mechanism that can move toward the front of the vehicle, a knee airbag device disposed below the steering column, and a column stopper (fixing means) that fixes the steering column so that it does not move toward the front of the vehicle during normal use and releases the fixed state of the steering column when the knee airbag device is activated. The expansion force of the knee airbag bag is used to release the fixed state of the steering column by the column stopper, and no load input from the passenger side to the steering column is required. Therefore, technology that further improves impact absorption performance has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-196734 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology described in Patent Document 1 is a technology that, when a vehicle collision occurs, releases the fixed state of the steering column and moves the steering wheel (steering unit) toward the front of the vehicle, thereby absorbing the impact between the occupant and the steering unit.

[0006] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the angle of the steering unit does not change, so there is a risk that the angle formed by the steering unit and the angle formed by the occupant's chest, etc. will differ. As a result, there is a problem that part of the steering unit may interfere with the occupant's chest, etc., and cause strain on the occupant.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an occupant protection device that reduces the burden that the steering section imposes on the occupant when a vehicle collision occurs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One or more embodiments of the present invention propose an occupant protection device comprising: a steering section housing an airbag that inflates and deploys toward an occupant when a vehicle collision occurs; a column shaft section that transmits steering operation of the steering section to the front wheels of the vehicle; a steering boss section formed in a hollow cylindrical shape with an opening on the front side of the vehicle, to which the steering section is fixed on the rear side of the vehicle and which engages with the column shaft section on the front side of the vehicle in a manner that allows it to rotate freely; and a spacer section through which the column shaft section passes in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and which is provided slidably in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle to close the opening of the steering boss section, wherein the steering boss section includes: a gas flow path provided inside an outer peripheral wall of the steering boss section and connected to an inflator that supplies gas when a vehicle collision occurs; and a plunger that is provided slidably inside the gas flow path and abuts the front side of the spacer section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the strain that the steering section imposes on the occupant when a vehicle collision occurs can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an occupant protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the occupant protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of the arrow. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the state of the steering section and steering boss section in the passenger protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when no collision has occurred in the vehicle, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when a collision has occurred in the vehicle. [Figure 4] 1A to 1B are cross-sectional views showing, in chronological order, states when a vehicle collision occurs and an occupant sitting in the driver's seat interferes with the steering section in an occupant protection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of an occupant protection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of an occupant protection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention taken along line AA-AA in FIG. 5, as viewed in the direction of the arrows. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the state of the steering section and steering boss section in an occupant protection device relating to a second embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when no collision has occurred in the vehicle, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when a collision has occurred in the vehicle. [Figure 8] 6A to 6B are cross-sectional views showing, in chronological order, states when a vehicle collision occurs and an occupant sitting in the driver's seat interferes with the steering section in an occupant protection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An occupant protection device 10 and an occupant protection device 10A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the vehicle V has a driver's seat S1 on the left side when facing the vehicle's traveling direction, and the occupant protection device 10 or occupant protection device 10A is provided in front of the driver's seat S1.

[0012] First Embodiment An occupant protection device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

[0013] <Regarding the occupant protection device 10> As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle V is provided with a driver's seat S1 and a passenger seat S2 where an occupant P sits, on the rear side of a front panel portion FP, and an occupant protection device 10 is provided on the front side of the driver's seat S1. The occupant protection device 10 according to this embodiment includes a steering portion 100, a steering boss portion 200, a column shaft portion 300, and a spacer portion 400.

[0014] <Regarding the steering unit 100> The steering unit 100 transmits the steering operation of an occupant P seated in the driver's seat S1 to the front wheels of the vehicle V via a column shaft unit 300. The steering unit 100 houses an airbag AB that inflates and deploys toward the occupant P when a collision occurs in the vehicle V. 2, the steering section 100 includes a steering wheel section 110, a steering spoke section SS, and a horn switch section HS. Inside the steering section 100, on the vehicle front side of the horn switch section HS, an airbag AB is housed, which is inflated and deployed toward the occupant in the event of a vehicle collision. The steering section 100 is fixed to a steering boss section 200 at the front side of the vehicle by bolts or the like.

[0015] The steering wheel 110 is a member through which a passenger P seated in the driver's seat S1 inputs steering operations, and is formed in an annular shape from a member such as metal or resin. A plurality of steering spokes SS are connected to the inner periphery of the steering wheel 110, and a horn switch HS is provided in the approximate center of the steering wheel 110 in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] The airbag AB is formed from a member such as a base fabric material and is stored in a folded state inside the horn switch unit HS, for example. When a collision occurs from the front of the vehicle, the airbag AB is inflated and deployed toward the rear of the steering unit 100 by gas supplied from the inflator 240.

[0017] <About the steering boss part 200> The steering boss portion 200 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape with an opening on the front side of the vehicle, and is fixed to the steering portion 100 on the rear side of the vehicle, and rotatably engages the steering portion 100 with the column shaft portion 300 that steers the front wheels of the vehicle V. The steering boss portion 200 includes a boss housing portion 210, a gas flow path 220, a plunger 230, and an inflator 240. A universal joint portion UJ is provided between the steering boss portion 200 and the column shaft portion 300.

[0018] The boss housing 210 is formed into a hollow cylindrical shape using a material such as metal or resin. A cylindrical bottom surface CB is provided on the vehicle rear side of the boss housing 210, and a substantially circular opening surrounded by an outer peripheral wall OW is provided on the vehicle front side. A steering unit 100 is fixed to the vehicle rear side of the cylindrical bottom portion CB. A universal joint unit UJ is fixed to the vehicle front side of the cylindrical bottom portion CB. The boss housing portion 210 is rotatably engaged with the column shaft portion 300 via a universal joint portion UJ. A recess is provided on the vehicle rear side of the cylindrical bottom portion CB, and an inflator 240 that supplies gas when a collision occurs to the vehicle V is disposed in the recess of the cylindrical bottom portion CB. The boss housing portion 210 is provided with a gas flow passage 220 extending from the cylindrical bottom surface portion CB to the outer peripheral wall portion OW.

[0019] Gas flow path 220 has, for example, a pipe shape with a substantially circular cross section, and is provided inside cylindrical bottom surface portion CB and outer peripheral wall portion OW of boss housing portion 210 in steering boss portion 200. Gas flow path 220 is coupled to inflator 240 at the vehicle rear end, and is provided so as to penetrate outer peripheral wall portion OW of boss housing portion 210 at the vehicle front end. A plurality of gas flow paths 220 are provided in the outer peripheral wall portion OW, with the gas flow paths 220 facing each other. A plunger 230 is disposed inside the gas flow passage 220 on the rear side of the vehicle.

[0020] The plunger 230 is slidably provided inside the gas flow path 220, and abuts against the vehicle front side of the spacer portion 400 at the vehicle front side of the plunger 230. The plunger 230 is a cylindrical cylinder that slides due to the gas pressure released from the inflator 240. The plunger 230 is provided with a sealing portion 231 and a pushing portion 232.

[0021] Sealing portion 231 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape from a member such as rubber or silicone. Sealing portion 231 is provided on the vehicle rear side of plunger 230, and is slidably attached to the inner wall of gas flow path 220. Sealing portion 231 seals the gas released from inflator 240 in a space surrounded by sealing portion 231 and gas flow path 220.

[0022] The pushing portion 232 is fixed to the vehicle front side of the sealing portion 231 by a member such as metal or resin, and the vehicle front end of the pushing portion 232 abuts against the vehicle rear side surface of the flat bottom plate 410 of the spacer portion 400.

[0023] The inflator 240 supplies gas to the airbag AB and the gas flow path 220 when a collision occurs in the vehicle V. The inflator 240 is joined to the airbag AB on the vehicle rear side of the inflator 240, and is joined to the gas flow path 220 on the vehicle front side of the inflator 240. The joint between the inflator 240 and the gas flow path 220 is sealed.

[0024] A steering operation input to the steering unit 100 is transmitted to a column shaft unit 300 via a steering boss unit 200 provided on the vehicle front side of the steering unit 100, with the rotation axis CA as the center of rotation. As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), a universal joint UJ is provided between the steering boss portion 200 and the column shaft portion 300, which can transmit rotation when the rotation axis AX1 of the steering boss portion 200 and the rotation axis AX2 of the column shaft portion 300 are bent. The rear end of the universal joint UJ is fixed to the steering boss 200, and the front end of the universal joint UJ is fixed to the column shaft axis 320 of the column shaft 300. The universal joint UJ rotates the steering boss 200 about the axis of the column shaft 300, and engages the steering boss 200 and the column shaft 300 so that the angle between them is freely adjustable. When the vehicle V is not in a collision, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the rotation axis AX1 of the steering boss portion 200 and the rotation axis AX2 of the column shaft portion 300 are fixed on the same rotation axis CA. When a collision occurs with the vehicle V, as shown in Figure 3(b), the spacer portion 400 detaches from the steering boss portion 200, causing the universal joint portion UJ to rotate the rotation axis AX1 of the steering portion 100 and the steering boss portion 200 in the vertical and lateral directions of the vehicle freely.

[0025] <Regarding the column shaft portion 300> The column shaft portion 300 transmits the steering operation input from the steering wheel portion 110 to the front wheels of the vehicle V via the steering boss portion 200 and the universal joint portion UJ. The column shaft portion 300 includes a column cover portion 310 and a column shaft axis 320 .

[0026] The column cover portion 310 is formed into a generally hollow cylindrical shape using a member such as metal or resin. The column cover portion 310 is fixed to a housing or the like of the vehicle V via a holder or the like (not shown). A column shaft 320 rotatably passes through the interior of the column cover portion 310 in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The vehicle rear end of the column cover portion 310 is disposed so as to pass through the spacer portion 400 and reach the inside of the steering boss portion 200. On the vehicle rear side of the column cover portion 310, a protrusion portion PP is provided in an annular shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the column cover portion 310, and holds the spacer portion 400 via a spring SP. The protrusion PP may be provided in a continuous annular shape on the outer periphery of the column cover part 310, or a plurality of protrusions having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape may be provided on the outer periphery of the column cover part 310 facing radially outward.

[0027] The column shaft 320 is a cylindrical rod made of metal or the like. The column shaft 320 is a rotating shaft that transmits the steering operation input from the steering unit 100 to the front wheels of the vehicle V via the steering boss unit 200 and the universal joint unit UJ. A universal joint UJ is fixed to the vehicle rear side of the column shaft 320, and the column shaft 320 is fitted with the steering boss 200 via the universal joint UJ.

[0028] <About the spacer part 400> The spacer portion 400 is provided so that the column shaft portion 300 passes through the radial center of the spacer portion 400 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and is slidable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle so as to close the opening in the steering boss portion 200. The spacer portion 400 has a substantially circular flat bottom plate 410 made of a member such as metal or resin on the front side of the vehicle, and a cylindrical protrusion portion 420 facing the rear side of the vehicle is formed in the radial center of the flat bottom plate 410. A substantially circular through-hole, through which the column shaft portion 300 passes, is provided in the radial center of the cylindrical protrusion portion 420. One end of a spring SP is coupled to the vehicle rear side of the cylindrical protrusion 420, and the spacer part 400 is urged toward the vehicle rear side by the spring SP. As a result of being urged by the spring SP, the spacer part 400 engages with an opening in the steering boss part 200. The cylindrical protrusion 420 slidably engages with the opening in the steering boss part 200.

[0029] <Actions and Effects> The operation of the passenger protection device 10 according to this embodiment configured as described above when a collision occurs in the vehicle V will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0030] (If vehicle V has not been hit) When the vehicle V is not in a collision state, the occupant protection device 10 is in a state in which normal steering operation can be performed, as shown in FIG. 3(a). Specifically, for example, when the vehicle V is not in a collision, the spacer portion 400 is biased by the spring SP and thereby engages with the opening in the steering boss portion 200. The spacer portion 400 is engaged with the opening in the steering boss portion 200, thereby fixing the steering boss portion 200 and the column shaft portion 300 together. In other words, the rotation axis AX1 of the steering boss portion 200 and the rotation axis AX2 of the column shaft portion 300 are fixed on the same rotation axis CA.

[0031] (If a collision occurs with vehicle V) When a collision occurs in the vehicle V, the occupant protection device 10 activates the inflator 240, and the inflator 240 supplies gas to the airbag AB and the gas flow path 220.

[0032] The gas supplied to the airbag AB inflates and deploys the airbag AB toward the rear of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 3(b). The airbag AB inflates and deploys between the occupant P seated in the driver's seat S1 and the steering unit 100.

[0033] Meanwhile, the gas supplied to the gas flow path 220 pushes the plunger 230 toward the front of the vehicle. The plunger 230 that slides toward the front of the vehicle moves the spacer portion 400 that is close to the front of the vehicle of the plunger 230 toward the front of the vehicle. By removing the spacer portion 400 from the opening of the steering boss portion 200, the steering boss portion 200 and the column shaft portion 300 become angularly rotatable about the universal joint portion UJ. In other words, the rotation axis AX1 of the steering boss portion 200 becomes angularly rotatable about the universal joint portion UJ, as shown by arrow AR1. The steering portion 100, which is fixed to the steering boss portion 200, becomes angularly rotatable as shown by arrows AR2 and AR3.

[0034] When a collision occurs in the vehicle V, the upper body of the occupant P seated in the driver's seat S1 moves toward the front of the vehicle due to the impact of the collision. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the airbag AB inflates and deploys between the occupant P and the steering unit 100 to receive the occupant P.

[0035] When the impact of a collision is large, it is necessary to consider the possibility that the airbag AB may not be fully inflated when receiving the occupant P. Specifically, for example, as shown in Figure 4(b), it is necessary to consider that the angle formed by the upper body of the occupant P and the angle formed by the steering unit 100 are different, and therefore the chest or abdomen of the occupant P may be partially interfered with by the underside of the steering unit 100 when the airbag AB is not fully inflated. At this time, the steering unit 100 is capable of rotating freely about the universal joint UJ. When the steering unit 100 interferes with the occupant P, the rotation axis AX1 of the steering unit 100 rotates about the universal joint UJ in accordance with the angle formed by the upper body of the occupant P, as shown by arrow BR1. Then, the angle formed by the upper body of the occupant P and the angle formed by the steering unit 100 become substantially the same, so that the occupant protection device 10 receives the upper body of the occupant P with the entire rear side of the steering unit 100.

[0036] As described above, by allowing the steering unit 100 to rotate freely in any angle, the occupant protection device 10 receives the upper body of the occupant P while reducing the impact with the airbag AB and the entire rear side of the vehicle of the steering unit 100, which forms approximately the same angle as the angle formed by the upper body of the occupant P. Then, when the vehicle V comes to a stop, the impact absorption by the occupant protection device 10 ends.

[0037] As explained above, the occupant protection device 10 according to this embodiment includes the steering unit 100 housing the airbag AB that inflates and deploys toward the occupant P when a collision occurs to the vehicle V, the column shaft unit 300 that transmits the steering operation of the steering unit 100 to the front wheels of the vehicle V, the steering boss unit 200 that is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape with an opening on the front side of the vehicle, to which the steering unit 100 is fixed on the rear side of the vehicle and which engages with the column shaft unit 300 on the front side of the vehicle in a freely angled manner, and the spacer unit 400 through which the column shaft unit 300 passes in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and which is provided slidably in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle so as to close the opening in the steering boss unit 200, and the steering boss unit 200 includes the gas flow path 220 that is provided inside the outer peripheral wall unit OW of the steering boss unit 200 and to which the inflator 240 that supplies gas when a collision occurs to the vehicle V is connected, and the plunger 230 that is provided slidably inside the gas flow path 220 and abuts the front side of the spacer unit 400. In other words, when no collision occurs with the vehicle V, the spacer portion 400 through which the column shaft portion 300 passes is engaged to block the opening in the steering boss portion 200, thereby fixing the steering boss portion 200 and the column shaft portion 300 in place. When a collision occurs in the vehicle V, the inflator 240 is activated, causing the airbag AB to inflate and deploy, and gas is supplied to the gas flow path 220. The gas supplied to the gas flow path 220 pushes the plunger 230, causing the spacer portion 400 to slide toward the front of the vehicle, and the spacer portion 400 is released from the steering boss portion 200. The steering boss portion 200 and the column shaft portion 300 are then able to rotate freely at any angle. The steering section 100 fixed to the steering boss section 200 can be rotated freely in any angle, so that when the upper body of the occupant P interferes with the steering section 100, the steering section 100 rotates so that the angle formed by the upper body of the occupant P and the angle formed by the steering section 100 become approximately the same. Therefore, when a collision occurs with the vehicle V and the occupant P seated in the driver's seat S1 moves toward the front of the vehicle and interferes with the steering unit 100, the angle formed by the upper body of the occupant P and the angle formed by the steering unit 100 become approximately the same, and the occupant protection device 10 can receive the upper body of the occupant P while reducing the impact with the entire rear side of the vehicle of the steering unit 100 and the airbag AB. This reduces the burden that the steering section places on the occupant when the vehicle crashes.

[0038] <Second embodiment> An occupant protection device 10A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0039] <Regarding the occupant protection device 10A> As shown in FIG. 5, the occupant protection device 10A according to this embodiment includes a steering portion 100, a steering boss portion 200, a column shaft portion 300A, and a spacer portion 400.

[0040] <About the column shaft section 300A> As shown in FIG. 6, the column shaft portion 300A includes a column cover portion 310A, a column shaft shaft 320, a cushion portion 350, and a spacer lock portion 360.

[0041] The column cover portion 310A is formed into a generally hollow cylindrical shape using a member such as metal or resin. The column cover portion 310A is fixed to a housing or the like of the vehicle V via a holder or the like (not shown). A column shaft 320 rotatably passes through the interior of the column cover portion 310A in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The vehicle rear end of the column cover part 310A is disposed so as to pass through the spacer part 400 and reach the inside of the steering boss part 200. On the vehicle rear side of the column cover part 310A, a protrusion part PP is provided in an annular shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the column cover part 310A, and holds the spacer part 400 via a spring SP. A cushion portion 350 is provided radially outward from a protrusion PP provided at the vehicle rear end of the column shaft portion 300A.

[0042] The cushion portion 350 is made of a flexible material such as silicone or rubber and is provided to cover the radially outer side of the protrusion PP. The cushion portion 350 is provided adjacent to the radially inner side of the outer circumferential wall portion OW of the steering boss portion 200. The cushion portion 350 is an impact absorbing material that comes into contact with the inner wall portion of the steering boss portion when the spacer portion 400 separates from the steering boss portion 200 and the AX1 tilts.

[0043] The column shaft portion 300A is provided with a spacer lock portion 360 that engages when the spacer portion 400 slides toward the front of the vehicle. The front side of the spacer lock portion 360 is formed with a smoothly curved surface, and the rear side of the spacer lock portion 360 is formed with a substantially rectangular flat surface. The spacer locking portion 360 is biased by, for example, a spring or the like (not shown) so as to protrude outward from the column cover portion 310A. The vehicle rear side of the spacer locking portion 360 is rotatably fixed by a hinge or the like.

[0044] <Actions and Effects> The operation of the occupant protection device 10A according to this embodiment configured as described above when a collision occurs in the vehicle V will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0045] (If vehicle V has not been hit) When the vehicle V is not in a collision state, the occupant protection device 10A is in a state in which normal steering operation can be performed, as shown in FIG. 7(a). Specifically, for example, when the vehicle V is not in a collision, the spacer portion 400 is biased by the spring SP and thereby engages with the opening in the steering boss portion 200. The spacer portion 400 is engaged with the opening in the steering boss portion 200, thereby fixing the steering boss portion 200 and the column shaft portion 300A together. In other words, the rotation axis AX1 of the steering boss portion 200 and the rotation axis AX3 of the column shaft portion 300A are fixed on the same rotation axis CA.

[0046] (If a collision occurs with vehicle V) When a collision occurs in the vehicle V, the occupant protection device 10A activates the inflator 240, and the inflator 240 supplies gas to the airbag AB and the gas flow path 220.

[0047] The gas supplied to the airbag AB inflates and deploys the airbag AB toward the rear of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 7(b). The airbag AB inflates and deploys between the occupant P seated in the driver's seat S1 and the steering unit 100.

[0048] Meanwhile, the gas supplied to the gas flow path 220 pushes the plunger 230 toward the front of the vehicle. The plunger 230 that slides toward the front of the vehicle moves the spacer portion 400 that is close to the front of the vehicle of the plunger 230 toward the front of the vehicle. The spacer portion 400, which has moved toward the front of the vehicle, is engaged with the spacer lock portion 360. In other words, even when the supply of gas from the inflator 240 is terminated, the spacer portion 400 remains securely separated from the opening of the steering boss portion 200. By removing the spacer portion 400 from the opening of the steering boss portion 200 and fixing it to the spacer lock portion 360, the steering boss portion 200 and the column shaft portion 300A become reliably rotatable about the universal joint portion UJ. In other words, the rotation axis AX1 of the steering boss portion 200 becomes reliably rotatable about the universal joint portion UJ, as shown by the arrow CR1. The steering portion 100, which is fixed to the steering boss portion 200, remains reliably rotatable about the universal joint portion UJ, as shown by the arrows CR2 and CR3.

[0049] When the steering boss portion 200 rotates and interferes with the column shaft portion 300A, the cushion portion 350 provided on the column shaft portion 300A comes into contact with the inner wall portion of the steering boss portion 200. Therefore, the cushion portion 350 absorbs the impact when the steering boss portion 200 and the column shaft portion 300A interfere with each other by deforming, and the impact transmitted to the steering portion 100 is further reduced.

[0050] When a collision occurs in the vehicle V, the upper body of the occupant P seated in the driver's seat S1 moves toward the front of the vehicle due to the impact of the collision. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the airbag AB inflates and deploys between the occupant P and the steering section 100 to receive the occupant P.

[0051] When the impact of the collision is large, for example, as shown in Figure 8(b), it is necessary to consider that the angle formed by the upper body of the occupant P and the angle formed by the steering unit 100 may differ, causing the airbag AB to not be fully inflated and causing the chest or abdomen of the occupant P to partially interfere with the underside of the steering unit 100. At this time, the spacer portion 400 is released from the opening of the steering boss portion 200 and is fixed to the spacer lock portion 360, so that the steering portion 100 remains in a state in which it can be reliably rotated freely around the universal joint portion UJ, as shown by the arrow DR1. When the steering unit 100 interferes with the occupant P, the rotation axis AX1 of the steering unit 100 rotates around the universal joint UJ in accordance with the angle formed by the upper body of the occupant P. Then, the angle formed by the upper body of the occupant P and the angle formed by the steering unit 100 become substantially the same, so that the occupant protection device 10A receives the upper body of the occupant P while reducing the impact with the entire rear side of the steering unit 100 and the airbag AB. Furthermore, the cushion portion 350 absorbs the impact when the steering boss portion 200 and the column shaft portion 300A interfere with each other, so that the occupant protection device 10A reduces the impact transmitted to the occupant P via the steering portion 100.

[0052] Then, when the vehicle V comes to a stop, the impact absorption by the occupant protection device 10A ends.

[0053] As described above, in the occupant protection device 10A according to this embodiment, the cushion portion 350 is provided radially outward from the vehicle rear end of the column shaft portion 300A, close to the radially inner side of the outer wall portion OW of the steering boss portion 200. In other words, when a collision occurs in the vehicle V, the gas supplied to the gas flow path 220 pushes the plunger 230 toward the front of the vehicle, thereby separating the spacer portion 400 from the steering boss portion 200. The steering boss portion 200 becomes angularly rotatable about the universal joint portion UJ. The steering portion 100, which is fixed to the steering boss portion 200, then becomes angularly rotatable. When the steering boss portion 200 rotates and interferes with the column shaft portion 300A, the flexible cushion portion 350 provided on the column shaft portion 300A abuts against the radially inner side of the outer peripheral wall portion OW of the steering boss portion 200. Therefore, by having the cushion portion 350 absorb the impact when the steering boss portion 200 and the column shaft portion 300A interfere with each other, the occupant protection device 10A can further reduce the impact transmitted to the occupant P via the steering portion 100. This reduces the burden that the steering section places on the occupant when the vehicle crashes.

[0054] In the occupant protection device 10A according to this embodiment, a spacer locking portion 360 is provided on the column shaft portion 300A, which engages when a spacer portion 400 serving as a spacer slides toward the front side of the vehicle. That is, when a collision occurs in the vehicle V, the gas supplied from the inflator 240 to the gas flow path 220 pushes the plunger 230 toward the front of the vehicle. The plunger 230 that slides toward the front of the vehicle moves the spacer portion 400 that is close to the front of the vehicle of the plunger 230 toward the front of the vehicle. The spacer portion 400 that has moved toward the front of the vehicle is fixed to the spacer lock portion 360. In other words, even when the supply of gas from the inflator 240 is terminated, the spacer portion 400 remains separated from the opening of the steering boss portion 200. When the spacer portion 400 is released from the opening of the steering boss portion 200 and fixed to the spacer lock portion 360, the steering boss portion 200 and the column shaft portion 300A become reliably rotatable about any angle around the universal joint portion UJ. The steering portion 100, which is fixed to the steering boss portion 200, remains reliably rotatable about any angle. Therefore, by fixing the spacer portion 400 to the spacer lock portion 360, when the steering portion 100 interferes with the occupant P, the steering portion 100 reliably rotates around the universal joint portion UJ in accordance with the angle formed by the upper body of the occupant P. Then, by reliably making the angle formed by the upper body of the occupant P and the angle formed by the steering portion 100 substantially the same, the occupant protection device 10A can receive the upper body of the occupant P while reducing the impact between the entire vehicle rear side surface of the steering portion 100 and the airbag AB. This reduces the burden that the steering section places on the occupant when the vehicle crashes.

[0055] The above describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10;Occupant protection device 10A; Occupant protection device 100; Steering section 110: Steering wheel 200: Steering boss 210; Boss housing 220 Gas flow path 230; Pusher 240; Inflator 300; Column shaft section 300A; column shaft section 310: Column cover 310A; Column cover part 320; Column shaft axis 350; cushion section 360: Spacer lock part 400;Spacer part 410; flat bottom plate 420; Cylindrical protrusion AB; Airbag PP; protrusion UJ: Universal joint V; Vehicle

Claims

1. a steering section that houses an airbag that inflates and deploys toward an occupant when a vehicle collision occurs; a column shaft portion that transmits a steering operation of the steering portion to front wheels of the vehicle; a steering boss portion formed in a hollow cylindrical shape having an opening on the front side of the vehicle, the steering portion being fixed on the rear side of the vehicle and angularly freely engaging with the column shaft portion on the front side of the vehicle; a spacer portion through which the column shaft portion passes in the vehicle longitudinal direction and which is provided slidably in the vehicle longitudinal direction so as to close an opening in the steering boss portion; The device is provided with: The steering boss portion has a gas flow path provided inside an outer peripheral wall portion of the steering boss portion, the gas flow path being connected to an inflator that supplies gas when a collision occurs to the vehicle; a pusher that is slidably provided inside the gas flow path and abuts against the vehicle front side of the spacer portion; An occupant protection device comprising:

2. 2. The occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein a cushion portion is provided radially outward of the vehicle rear end of the column shaft portion and adjacent to the radially inner side of the outer peripheral wall portion of the steering boss portion.

3. 2. The passenger protection device according to claim 1, wherein the column shaft portion is provided with a spacer lock portion that engages when the spacer portion slides toward the front of the vehicle.

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