Occupant protection device

Abstract

To prevent development delay when an air bag is inflated and developed.SOLUTION: The occupant protection device includes an airbag opening that is formed in an instrument panel and through which the airbag passes when the airbag inflates and deploys in a direction of an occupant, and an airbag door that closes the airbag opening and is torn when the airbag inflates and deploys, wherein the airbag opening includes a first side and a second side that extend in an upward direction and face each other, and a third side that extends in a horizontal direction, and the first side and the third side are continuous at a first corner, the second side portion and the third side portion are continuous with each other at the second corner portion, the first rib portion, the second rib portion, and the third rib portion extending along the respective side portions are formed at the edge portions of the respective side portions of the instrument panel, the first rib portion and the third rib portion of the instrument panel are interrupted without intersecting with each other on the first corner portion side, and the second rib portion and the third rib portion are interrupted without intersecting with each other on the second corner portion side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Many vehicles, such as automobiles, are equipped with airbag systems to protect occupants. Top-mounted passenger airbag systems and knee airbag systems are installed inside the instrument panel. The airbag system houses an inflator and an airbag in a modular configuration.

[0003] When the airbag device detects a collision, inflation gas is released from the inflator, which inflates and deploys the airbag between the instrument panel and the occupant, protecting the occupant.

[0004] The airbag opening in the instrument panel is closed by an airbag door (also called an "airbag lid"), which is ruptured by the internal pressure when the airbag inflates and deploys.

[0005] The airbag door is attached to the instrument panel with multiple engaging claws. Therefore, when the airbag door is torn open, pressure is applied to the periphery of the airbag opening via the engaging claws. If the edge of the airbag opening bends toward the occupant, the airbag door will not be able to follow the inflation and deployment of the airbag, and a gap will likely form between the edge of the airbag opening and the airbag door.

[0006] If a gap occurs between the edge of the airbag opening and the airbag door, the airbag may get caught in the gap, which is known as the fishmouth phenomenon.

[0007] As a countermeasure to this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2023-76851 A) discloses a technology in which the outer surface of an airbag stored in a folded state is covered with a deployment cover. In the technology disclosed in this document, when the airbag inflates and deploys, the deployment cover deploys and covers the area between the periphery of the airbag opening and the outer surface of the airbag. This guides the inflation and deployment of the airbag toward the occupant, preventing improper deployment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-76851 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the airbag inflates and deploys and presses against the airbag door, the periphery of the airbag opening is also pressed. If the periphery of the airbag opening bends at that time, the deployment pressure of the airbag is attenuated accordingly, which can easily cause a delay in deployment.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag device that can prevent a delay in deployment when the airbag is inflated and deployed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The occupant protection device of the present invention includes an airbag opening formed in an instrument panel and through which an airbag passes when inflating and deploying toward an occupant, an airbag door that closes the airbag opening and tears open when the airbag inflates and deploys, and an airbag module that is stored in front of the airbag door on a vehicle body and has the airbag, wherein the airbag opening has a first side portion and a second side that extend upward and face each other, and a third side portion that extends horizontally, and In an occupant protection device in which one side portion and the third side portion are connected at a first corner portion, and the second side portion and the third side portion are connected at a second corner portion, a first rib portion, a second rib portion, and a third rib portion extending along each side portion are formed at the edge of each side portion of the instrument panel, and the first rib portion and the third rib portion of the instrument panel are discontinued without intersecting at the first corner portion, and the second rib portion and the third rib portion are discontinued without intersecting at the second corner portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, because ribs are formed on the edges of the airbag opening, the edges do not bend significantly even when subjected to the airbag's deployment pressure. Furthermore, because the ribs are interrupted without intersecting at the first and second corners, stress is concentrated at the interrupted portions when the airbag deploys, causing the interrupted portions to bend or deform. As a result, delays in deployment of the airbag can be prevented. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1A] 1 is a front view of a vehicle in front of a driver's seat having an occupant protection device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 1B] A front view showing the state in which the lower panel of the instrument panel was folded when the airbag was inflated and deployed. [Figure 2] Rear view of the lower panel [Figure 3A] AA cross section of FIG. 1A [Figure 3B] BB cross section of FIG. 1B [Figure 4A] 3A according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4B] Cross-sectional view equivalent to Figure 3B DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] 1 to 3B show a first embodiment of the present invention. In the following, front, rear, left and right refer to the vehicle body, and unless otherwise specified, front and rear correspond to the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and left and right correspond to the left and right in the width direction of the vehicle body.

[0015] 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an instrument panel provided in a vehicle. This instrument panel 1 is provided with an occupant protection device that protects occupants in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0016] 1 shows an instrument panel 1 in front of the driver's seat. This instrument panel 1 has an upper panel 2 on the upper side and a lower panel 3 on the lower side. A combination meter (not shown) and the like are arranged on the upper panel 2.

[0017] A steering column opening 4 is formed in the upper part of the lower panel 3. A steering column 5 is disposed in this steering column opening 4. A steering shaft (not shown) is rotatably supported within this steering column 5. A handle 6 is fixed to the end of this steering shaft that projects from the steering column 5 toward the driver's seat.

[0018] An airbag opening 7 is formed in the lower panel 3 located below the steering column opening 4. The lower end of this airbag opening 7 is open. At the lower end of the lower panel 3, a seat portion 3a is formed on the left and right edges of the airbag opening 7. Screw insertion holes 3b are drilled in this seat portion 3a.

[0019] The back surface (vehicle body front side) of the seat portion 3a abuts against a reinforcement (not shown) on the vehicle body side. The seat portion 3a is fastened and fixed to the reinforcement via a screw inserted into the screw insertion hole 3b. This screw is, for example, a tapping screw. A pilot hole for guiding the tapping screw is drilled in the reinforcement.

[0020] 2 shows a rear view of the lower panel 3. The airbag opening 7 is formed by three sides of the lower panel 3, namely, a first side 3c on the left side, a second side 3d on the right side, and a third side 3e on the upper side.

[0021] A first folding line 8a is formed at a first corner 3g where the first side 3c and third side 3e of the lower panel 3 intersect. A second folding line 8b is formed at a second corner 3h where the second side 3d and third side 3e of the lower panel 3 intersect.

[0022] The folding lines 8a and 8b extend obliquely upward from the corners 3g and 3h, and are formed by tear lines or grooves in the sheet thickness.

[0023] Also, first to third rib portions 9 to 11 are formed on the edges of the first to third side portions 3c to 3e. Each of the rib portions 9 to 11 is formed along the edge of each of the side portions 3c to 3e. Each of the rib portions 9 to 11 is made up of a plurality of ribs 9a, 10a, 11a (three in the figure) that are substantially parallel to one another.

[0024] The upper end of each rib 9a of the first rib portion 9 does not intersect with the left end of each rib 11a of the third rib portion 11 in Fig. 2, but ends just before the first intended folding line 8a. Also, the upper end of each rib 10a of the second rib portion 10 does not intersect with the right end of each rib 11a of the third rib portion 11 in Fig. 2, but ends just before the second intended folding line 8b.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1A, a door body 12a of an airbag door 12 is disposed in the airbag opening 7. The airbag opening 7 is closed by this door body 12a. A tear line 12b is formed on the rear side (front of the vehicle body) of this door body 12a. This tear line 12b is located in the vertical middle of the airbag door 12 and extends horizontally.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3A, the surface of the door body 12a is shaped to be substantially flush with the lower panel 3. Flange portions 12c, 12d are integrally formed on the upper and lower rear portions of the door body 12a. These flange portions 12c, 12d protrude toward the front of the vehicle body. An engagement claw 12e is formed on the upper flange portion 12c. This engagement claw 12e protrudes from the upper surface of the upper flange portion 12c on the door body 12a side. This engagement claw 12e engages with an engagement portion 3f formed on the rear surface of the lower panel 3.

[0027] Although not shown, flanges are formed near the top and bottom of the left and right rear portions of the door body 12a, and engaging claws 12e are formed on these flanges. These engaging claws 12e are engaged with engaging portions formed on the rear surfaces of the first and second sides 3c and 3d of the airbag opening 7.

[0028] A knee airbag module 13 is disposed in front of the door body 12a. The knee airbag module 13 includes a retainer case 14, a knee airbag 15, and an inflator 16.

[0029] The retainer case 14 is formed in a box shape with an opening on the door main body 12a side. The retainer case 14 is fixed to a vehicle body side reinforcement (not shown) disposed inside the instrument panel 1. In addition, locking claws 14a, 14b are formed on the top and bottom of the opening of the retainer case 14. These locking claws 14a, 14b are locked to the top and bottom flange portions 12c, 12d for positioning.

[0030] Knee airbag 15 is stored in a folded state in retainer case 14. Inflator 16 is connected to knee airbag 15. Inflator 16 ejects inflation gas to inflate and deploy knee airbag 15. Inflator 16 is activated by a signal sent when an impact sensor (not shown) detects an impact.

[0031] Next, the operation of this embodiment with such a configuration will be described. When the vehicle collides with a three-dimensional obstacle or the like and the impact sensor detects the impact, inflation gas is ejected from inflator 16 into knee airbag 15.

[0032] This causes knee airbag 15 to inflate and deploy toward door body 12a of airbag door 12. Door body 12a receives the inflation pressure from knee airbag 15 and tears open at tear line 12b, separating door body 12a into two upper and lower flaps, which then swing up and down as shown in Figure 3B, opening airbag opening 7. Knee airbag 15 passes through airbag opening 7 and inflates toward the occupant.

[0033] Engagement claws 12e formed around the periphery of door body 12a engage with engagement portions 3f formed on the periphery of airbag opening 7. Therefore, when the inflation pressure of knee airbag 15 is applied to door body 12a, the pressure is transmitted to the periphery of airbag opening 7 via engagement claws 12e, tending to deflect the periphery.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, first rib portions 9 are formed along the edges of first and second side portions 3c, 3d. Furthermore, seating surface portions 3a formed on the lower edge portions of first and second side portions 3c, 3d are fastened to reinforcement via screws. Therefore, first and second side portions 3c, 3d do not bend even when subjected to the inflation pressure of knee airbag 15. Therefore, no gaps are formed between the edges of first and second side portions 3c, 3d and door main body 12a.

[0035] Because first and second sides 3c, 3d do not bend even when subjected to the inflation pressure from knee airbag 15, the inflation pressure of knee airbag 15 is concentrated on third side 3e side of airbag opening 7. A third rib portion 11 is formed on the edge of third side 3e. Therefore, the edge of third side 3e does not bend even when subjected to the inflation pressure from knee airbag 15.

[0036] As a result, stress due to the inflation pressure from knee airbag 15 is concentrated on a first corner 3g between first side 3c and third side 3e and a second corner 3h between second side 3d and third side 3e, where ribs 9 to 11 are discontinued. First and second intended fold lines 8a and 8b, which are weak portions, are formed in lower panel 3 upward from first and second corners 3g and 3h, diagonally in directions separating them from each other.

[0037] Therefore, when stress concentrates on the first and second corners 3g, 3h, the third side 3e of the lower panel 3 is pressed upward, causing the first and second corners 3g, 3h to fold or deform along the first and second intended fold lines 8a, 8b. Fig. 1B shows the first and second corners 3g, 3h folded along the first and second intended fold lines 8a, 8b due to the concentrated stress caused by the inflation pressure of the knee airbag 15. However, when the stress caused by the concentrated inflation pressure of the knee airbag 15 is received, the first and second intended fold lines 8a, 8b may only partially fold and partially deform. Alternatively, the first and second intended fold lines 8a, 8b may only deform without folding entirely.

[0038] As a result of folding or deformation of first and second intended fold lines 8a, 8b, as shown in Fig. 3B, the upper flap of door body 12a swings upward in response to the inflation and deployment of knee airbag 15. This prevents improper deployment of knee airbag 15. Furthermore, because first to third sides 3c to 3e of the lower panel that form airbag opening 7 do not bend, the deployment pressure of the airbag is not attenuated, and deployment delays can also be prevented. [Second embodiment] 4A and 4B show a second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0039] In this embodiment, a cover sheet 21 is attached to the surface of knee airbag 15 of the above-described first embodiment. More specifically, cover sheet 21 is attached at a position that will come into contact with the upper flap when knee airbag 15 tears open door body 12a. Cover sheet 21 is made of a flexible base fabric, soft resin, film, or the like.

[0040] According to the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4B, cover sheet 21 is attached to knee airbag 15, and therefore is deployed together with cover sheet 21. Therefore, cover sheet 21 does not shift position relative to knee airbag 15 when knee airbag 15 inflates and deploys.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and for example, the occupant protection device can be applied to a top-mounted passenger airbag or a passenger-side knee airbag. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1...instrument panel, 2...Upper panel, 3...Lower panel, 3a... Seat part, 3b...screw insertion hole, 3c...first side part, 3d…Second side, 3e...Third side part, 3f...engagement portion, 3g...first corner, 3h...Second corner, 4...Steering column opening, 5...Steering column, 6...Handle, 7...Airbag opening, 8a...First planned fold line, 8b...2nd planned fold line, 9...first rib portion, 10...second rib portion, 11...Third rib portion, 9a~11a...Rib, 12...Airbag door, 12a...door body, 12b...Tear line, 12c, 12d...Upper and lower flanges, 12e…hook, 13...Airbag module, 14...Retainer case, 14a, 14b...locking part, 15...knee airbag, 16...Inflator, 21...Guide sheet

Claims

1. an airbag opening formed in the instrument panel through which the airbag passes when inflating and deploying toward the occupant; an airbag door that closes the airbag opening and is torn open when the airbag is inflated and deployed; an airbag module that is housed in the front of the airbag door and has the airbag; Equipped with the airbag opening has a first side portion and a second side portion extending upward and facing each other, and a third side portion extending horizontally, In an occupant protection device, the first side portion and the third side portion are connected at a first corner portion, and the second side portion and the third side portion are connected at a second corner portion, a first rib portion, a second rib portion, and a third rib portion are formed on the edge of each side of the instrument panel, the first rib portion, the second rib portion, and the third rib portion extending along each side, the first rib portion and the third rib portion of the instrument panel are discontinued without intersecting at the first corner portion side, The second rib portion and the third rib portion are discontinued without intersecting on the second corner side. An occupant protection device characterized by:

2. a first folding line is formed from the first corner portion at a portion of the instrument panel where the first rib portion and the third rib portion are discontinued; A second folding line is formed from the second corner portion at a portion of the instrument panel where the second rib portion and the third rib portion are discontinued.

2. The passenger protection device according to claim 1.

3. the airbag is a knee airbag, The airbag opening is formed in the lower part of a lower panel provided in the instrument panel.

2. The passenger protection device according to claim 1.

4. The lower ends of the first side and the second side of the airbag opening of the instrument panel are fixed to the vehicle body.

4. The passenger protection device according to claim 3.

5. A cover sheet is attached to the surface of the airbag that passes through the third side portion.

5. An occupant protection device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a passenger protection device.

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