Airbag device for vehicle

Abstract

To provide an airbag device for a vehicle, capable of appropriately deploying and inflating an airbag upward.SOLUTION: An airbag device 10 for a vehicle comprises an airbag door 11 and an airbag module 12. The airbag door 11 is provided in a rear face part 30b of an instrument panel 30 of the vehicle. The airbag module 12 comprises an airbag 13 deployed and inflated by supply of gas and a retainer 14 comprising a cylindrical part 20 for storing the airbag 13, and is disposed in front of the airbag door 11. The cylindrical part 20 comprises an airbag opening 21 which is opened rearward, and through which the airbag 13 passes when being deployed and inflated. The airbag door 11 moves in a vehicle width direction W or downward while being pressed by the airbag 13 deployed and inflated, thereby opening the airbag opening 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART An airbag device for a passenger seat is provided in front of the passenger seat of an automobile (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The airbag device includes an airbag door and an airbag module.

[0003] The airbag door is formed in a portion of the upper surface of an instrument panel located in front of the driver's seat and passenger seat, the portion being located in front of the passenger seat. The airbag module is provided below the airbag door, i.e., inside the instrument panel, and includes an airbag and a retainer having a cylindrical wall with an airbag opening through which the airbag passes when deployed and inflated.

[0004] A pair of door portions are provided on the periphery of the airbag opening in the retainer, and are pressed by the airbag to open the airbag opening. The instrument panel has a base material made of hard resin, a cushion layer laminated on the base material, and a skin laminated on the cushion layer.

[0005] The airbag door has a tear line that serves as the starting point for tearing when pressed by the pair of door parts. The tear line has three horizontal lines and two vertical lines.

[0006] The lateral line portions are spaced apart from one another in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and extend in the vehicle width direction. The vertical line portions extend in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle at both end positions of the horizontal line portions. In such an airbag device, when a vehicle crashes, the airbag deploys and inflates due to gas from the inflator, and the pair of door sections are pressed upward by the airbag. The pair of door sections then press the airbag door upward, causing the central horizontal line section to rupture. The vertical line sections located at both ends of the horizontal line section also rupture. The airbag door then opens, opening the airbag opening, causing the airbag to deploy above the instrument panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-210218 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The conventional airbag module described above is disposed inside the instrument panel between the reinforcement member extending in the vehicle width direction and the airbag door. In recent years, it has become desirable to set the upper surface of the instrument panel lower from the viewpoint of design, etc. However, when the upper surface of the instrument panel is set lower, the vertical space between the reinforcement and the airbag door becomes smaller, making it difficult to arrange the airbag module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] Various aspects of a vehicle airbag device for solving the above problems will be described below. [Mode 1] An airbag device for a vehicle comprising an airbag door and an airbag module, wherein, when the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are defined as the front and rear, the airbag door is provided on the rear portion of the vehicle's instrument panel, the airbag module comprises an airbag that deploys and inflates when gas is supplied to it, and a retainer having a tubular portion that houses the airbag, and is positioned in front of the airbag door, the tubular portion having an airbag opening that opens toward the rear and through which the airbag passes when deploying and inflating, the airbag door is configured to move in the vehicle width direction or downward while being pressed by the deploying and inflating airbag, thereby opening the airbag opening.

[0010] According to the above configuration, when gas is supplied to the airbag, the airbag passes through the airbag opening, which opens toward the rear, while deploying and inflating. The airbag then presses the airbag door, which is provided on the rear surface of the instrument panel, toward the rear. The airbag door then moves in the vehicle width direction or downward to open the airbag opening. At this time, the airbag door does not move upward, so it is less likely to interfere with the upward deployment and inflation of the airbag. Therefore, even if the upper surface of the instrument panel is set low, the airbag can be deployed and inflated appropriately upward.

[0011] [Aspect 2] The instrument panel has the airbag door and a panel main body that surrounds the airbag door and is formed continuous with the airbag door, the peripheral edge of the airbag opening has upper and lower edge portions that extend in the vehicle width direction and are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction, and a pair of side edge portions that extend in the up-down direction, the front surfaces of the airbag door and the panel main body are provided with tear lines that become the starting point for breaking the airbag door when pressed by the airbag, and the tear line includes an upper tear line that overlaps the upper edge portion in the fore-and-aft direction and extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] According to the above-described configuration, when the airbag door is pressed rearward by the airbag, the airbag door breaks along the upper tear line, and the airbag door moves in the vehicle width direction or downward, thereby opening the airbag opening.

[0013] Furthermore, since tear lines are provided on the front surfaces of the airbag door and the panel body, the addition of the tear lines can be prevented from impairing the aesthetic appeal of the design surface of the instrument panel.

[0014] [Aspect 3] The retainer includes a pair of hinge portions provided on each of the pair of side edge portions, and a pair of door portions rotatably connected via the pair of hinge portions, the pair of door portions overlapping the front surface of the airbag door, and the tear line overlapping the boundary line of the pair of door portions in the fore-and-aft direction and including a central tear line extending downward from the upper tear line. This is an airbag device for a vehicle described in [Aspect 2].

[0015] According to the above-described configuration, when the pair of door sections are pushed rearward by the airbag, the airbag door is broken along the upper tear line and the center tear line, and the pair of door sections and the airbag door overlapping the pair of door sections rotate about the pair of hinge sections and move in the vehicle width direction, thereby opening the airbag opening.

[0016] [Aspect 4] The retainer includes a lower hinge portion provided at the lower edge portion, and a lower door portion adjacent to and rotatably connected to the pair of door portions via the lower hinge portion, and the tear line overlaps with the boundary line between the pair of door portions and the lower door portion in the fore-and-aft direction and includes a lower tear line extending in the vehicle width direction. This is an airbag device for a vehicle described in [Aspect 3].

[0017] According to the above configuration, when the pair of door sections and the lower door section are pushed rearward by the airbag, the airbag door is broken along the upper tear line, the center tear line, and the lower tear line. As a result, the pair of door sections and the airbag door overlapping the pair of door sections rotate about the pair of hinge sections and move in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the lower door section and the airbag door overlapping the lower door section rotate about the lower hinge section and move downward, thereby opening the airbag opening.

[0018] Furthermore, the airbag that is deployed and inflated can obtain an upward reaction force from the lower door portion, so that the airbag can be deployed and inflated upward more suitably.

[0019] [Aspect 5] The instrument panel includes a panel main body having an opening that overlaps with the airbag opening in the fore-and-aft direction, and an airbag door that is provided in the opening and opens and closes the airbag opening and the opening, the opening having upper and lower edge portions that extend in the vehicle width direction and are spaced apart in the up-down direction, and a pair of side edge portions that extend in the up-down direction, the airbag door including a pair of door portions adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction, the door portions being configured to be deformable between an unfolded state in which the door portions are unfolded to close the opening, and a folded state in which the door portions are folded to open the opening, and the upper and lower edge portions of the opening are provided with guide portions that guide the deformation of the door portion between the unfolded state and the folded state.

[0020] According to the above configuration, when the pair of door sections are pressed rearward by the airbag, each of the door sections is guided by the guide section and deformed into a folded state, thereby opening the airbag opening. Because the pair of door sections are in a folded state in this manner, the rearward protrusion length of the door sections when the airbag is deployed and inflated can be shortened.

[0021] and an airbag door provided in the opening for opening and closing the airbag opening, the airbag door having upper and lower edge portions extending in the vehicle width direction and spaced apart in the vertical direction, and a pair of side edge portions extending in the vertical direction, a pair of protrusions protruding in the vehicle width direction at upper portions of both ends of the airbag door in the vehicle width direction, and guide portions having a pair of guide grooves extending in the vertical direction and into which the pair of protrusions are loosely fitted, the airbag door having an engagement portion that engages with the edge of the opening when the airbag door is in a closed state, thereby maintaining the closed state, and the engagement portion is configured to be released from engagement with the panel body when pressed by the airbag.

[0022] According to the above configuration, when the airbag door is pressed rearward by the airbag, the engagement between the engaging portion and the opening is released. As a result, the pair of protrusions of the airbag door move downward under their own weight while being guided by the guide groove, thereby opening the airbag opening. Because the airbag door moves downward along the guide groove extending in the vertical direction in this manner, the rearward protrusion length of the airbag door can be shortened when the airbag is deployed and inflated.

[0023] [Aspect 7] An airbag device for a vehicle as described in [Aspect 6], wherein a pair of engaging protrusions that protrude in the vehicle width direction and fit loosely into the pair of guide grooves are provided at the lower ends of the airbag door in the vehicle width direction, and the engaging portions are the pair of engaging protrusions.

[0024] According to the above configuration, the engaging portion can be easily realized by the pair of engaging protrusions loosely fitted into the pair of guide grooves. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, even when the upper surface portion of the instrument panel is set low, the airbag can be suitably deployed and inflated upward. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an airbag device for a vehicle, focusing on the airbag device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the airbag door shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 and is a cross-sectional view showing the airbag in a deployed state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 and is a cross-sectional view showing the airbag in a deployed state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of an instrument panel with an airbag door in the center according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 8(a) to 8(c) are cross-sectional views taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7, where FIG. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of the unfolded state, FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view of the state in the middle of transitioning from the unfolded state to the folded state, and FIG. 8(c) is a cross-sectional view of the folded state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view of an instrument panel focusing on an airbag door according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10A-10A in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11A-11A in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12A-12A in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13A-13A in FIG. [Figure 14] 14(a) and 14(b) are views corresponding to FIG. 11 and are cross-sectional views showing the procedure for attaching the airbag door of FIG. 9 to the guide portion. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a view corresponding to FIG. 11 and is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the airbag door is open. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] First Embodiment A first embodiment of an airbag device 10 for a vehicle will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0028] In the following description, the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the vehicle width direction, and the up-down direction when the vehicle is positioned on a horizontal plane are referred to as the front-rear direction L, the vehicle width direction W, and the up-down direction Z, respectively. Furthermore, the front and rear in the front-rear direction L will be referred to as the front and rear, and the top and bottom in the up-down direction Z will be referred to as the top and bottom.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an instrument panel 30 is provided in front of the passenger seat of the vehicle. The instrument panel 30 includes an upper surface portion 30a extending in the front-rear direction L and the vehicle width direction W, and a rear surface portion 30b extending downward from the rear end of the upper surface portion 30a.

[0030] A reinforcement 60 extending in the vehicle width direction W is provided inside the instrument panel 30. A windshield 70 is disposed above the instrument panel 30. The windshield 70 is inclined so that the upper part thereof is positioned further rearward.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the airbag device 10 includes an airbag module 12 and an airbag door 11. <Airbag module 12> As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the airbag module 12 is provided inside an instrument panel 30.

[0032] The airbag module 12 includes a retainer 14 , an airbag 13 , and an inflator 15 . The airbag module 12 is preferably provided at the same position as the reinforcement 60 in the vertical direction Z or below the reinforcement 60.

[0033] <Retainer 14> As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the retainer 14 has a cylindrical portion 20. The cylindrical portion 20 has an airbag opening 21 that opens rearward and through which the airbag 13 passes when it deploys and inflates. The front end of the cylindrical portion 20 is closed. The cylindrical portion 20 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral edge 22 of the airbag opening 21 extends in the vehicle width direction W and has an upper edge 23 and a lower edge 24 positioned in the up-down direction Z with a gap between them.

[0035] A lower hinge portion 18 is provided on the lower edge portion 24. The lower hinge portion 18 extends in the vehicle width direction W. A lower door portion 19 is rotatably connected to the lower hinge portion 18. The lower door portion 19 is adjacent to and below the pair of door portions 17. The lower door portion 19 has a rectangular plate shape.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, the peripheral edge 22 of the airbag opening 21 has a pair of side edge portions 25 extending in the up-down direction Z. A pair of hinge portions 16 is provided on the pair of side edge portions 25. The pair of hinge portions 16 extend in the up-down direction Z. A pair of door portions 17 are rotatably connected to the pair of hinge portions 16, respectively. The pair of door portions 17 are adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction W.

[0037] 2, the pair of door portions 17 are rectangular plate-shaped. The length of the door portion 17 in the vehicle width direction W is half that of the lower door portion 19 in the vehicle width direction W. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pair of door portions 17 and the lower door portion 19 close the airbag opening 21.

[0038] <Airbag 13> 1, the airbag 13 has a well-known structure that is deployed and inflated by supplying gas. The airbag 13 is housed in a tubular portion 20 in a folded state.

[0039] 1 and 2, the airbag 13 has an upper inflatable portion 13a and a lower inflatable portion 13b. The upper inflatable portion 13a has a size that allows it to be deployed and inflated between the instrument panel 30 and the upper body of the occupant P, particularly the area from the head PH to the chest PT. The lower inflatable portion 13b has a size that allows it to be deployed and inflated between the instrument panel 30 and the knees PK of the occupant P.

[0040] <Inflator 15> As shown in Fig. 1, the inflator 15 generates gas for inflation and is attached to the front end of the retainer 14. A gas supply unit is provided at the rear of the inflator 15. The portion including the gas supply unit is housed inside the airbag 13 in a folded state.

[0041] <Airbag Door 11> As shown in FIG. 1, the airbag door 11 is provided on the rear surface portion 30b of the instrument panel 30.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the instrument panel 30 has the airbag door 11 and a panel main body 31 that surrounds the airbag door 11 and is formed continuous to the airbag door 11.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the airbag door 11 is disposed behind the airbag module 12. The front surface of the airbag door 11 overlaps with the pair of door portions 17 and the lower door portion 19. The airbag door 11, together with the pair of door portions 17 and the lower door portion 19, closes the airbag opening 21.

[0044] The airbag door 11 and the panel body 31 are formed from a base material made of hard resin. The resin material constituting the base material is preferably, for example, thermoplastic olefin (TPO), polypropylene, or the like.

[0045] 2 to 4, a tear line 33 is provided on the front surface of the airbag door 11 and the panel main body 31, which serves as a starting point for breaking the airbag door 11 when pressed by the airbag 13. The tear line 33 is, for example, a groove with a V-shaped cross section.

[0046] The tear line 33 includes an upper tear line 34 , a central tear line 35 , a lower tear line 36 , a pair of side edge tear lines 37 , and a lowermost tear line 38 . As shown in FIG. 3, the upper tear line 34 overlaps with the upper edge 23 of the airbag opening 21 in the front-rear direction L and extends in the vehicle width direction W.

[0047] The lower tear line 36 overlaps with a boundary line B1 between the pair of door portions 17 and the lower door portion 19 in the front-rear direction L and extends in the vehicle width direction W. The lowermost tear line 38 overlaps with the lower hinge portion 18 in the front-rear direction L and extends in the vehicle width direction W.

[0048] 4, the central tear line 35 overlaps the boundary line B2 between the pair of door sections 17 in the front-to-rear direction L and extends downward from the upper tear line 34. The pair of side edge tear lines 37 overlap the pair of hinge sections 16 in the front-to-rear direction L, respectively, and extend in the up-down direction Z.

[0049] The operation of the first embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when a sensor detects an impact force accompanying a frontal collision of the vehicle, a control device (neither of which is shown) controls the operation of the inflator 15, causing the inflator 15 to supply gas into the airbag 13. As a result, the airbag 13 passes through the airbag opening 21 while deploying and inflating. When the pair of door sections 17 and the lower door section 19 are pressed rearward by the airbag 13, the airbag door 11 is pressed rearward via the pair of door sections 17 and the lower door section 19. As a result, the airbag door 11 is broken along the upper tear line 34, the central tear line 35, the lower tear line 36, the side edge tear lines 37, and the lowermost tear line 38. Furthermore, the pair of door sections 17 rotate about the pair of hinge sections 16 and move in the vehicle width direction W, and the lower door section 19 rotates about the lower hinge section 18 and moves downward, thereby opening the airbag opening 21.

[0050] 1 and 2, the airbag 13 that passes through the airbag opening 21 deploys and inflates rearward and upward. When the vehicle crashes head-on, the occupant P tends to move forward. At this time, the upper body of the occupant P is received by the upper inflatable portion 13a of the airbag 13, and the lower body of the occupant P is received by the lower inflatable portion 13b.

[0051] The effects of the first embodiment will be described. (1-1) The airbag door 11 is configured to open the airbag opening 21 by moving in the vehicle width direction W or downward while being pressed by the deployed and inflated airbag 13.

[0052] According to this configuration, the airbag door 11 does not move upward due to the above-mentioned effect, and as a result, the airbag door 11 is less likely to interfere with the upward deployment and inflation of the airbag 13. Therefore, even if the upper surface portion 30a of the instrument panel 30 is set low, the airbag 13 can be deployed and inflated upward appropriately.

[0053] (1-2) An upper tear line 34 extending in the vehicle width direction W is provided on the front surface of the airbag door 11 and the panel body 31 at a position overlapping the upper edge portion 23 in the front-rear direction L.

[0054] According to this configuration, when the airbag door 11 is pressed rearward by the airbag 13, the airbag door 11 is broken along the upper tear line 34. As a result, the airbag door 11 moves in the vehicle width direction W or downward, thereby opening the airbag opening 21.

[0055] Furthermore, since the tear line 33 is provided on the front surface of the airbag door 11 and the panel body 31, the addition of the tear line 33 can be prevented from impairing the design of the design surface of the instrument panel 30.

[0056] (1-3) The tear line 33 overlaps the boundary line B2 between the pair of door sections 17 in the front-rear direction L and includes a central tear line 35 that extends downward from the upper tear line 34. According to this configuration, when the pair of door portions 17 are pressed rearward by the airbag 13, the airbag door 11 is broken along the upper tear line 34 and the central tear line 35. As a result, the pair of door portions 17 rotate about the pair of hinge portions 16, thereby opening the airbag opening 21.

[0057] (1-4) The tear line 33 includes a lower tear line 36 that overlaps the boundary line B1 between the pair of door portions 17 and the lower door portion 19 in the front-rear direction L and extends in the vehicle width direction W. According to this configuration, when the pair of door portions 17 and the lower door portion 19 are pressed rearward by the airbag 13, the airbag door 11 is broken along the upper tear line 34, the central tear line 35, and the lower tear line 36. As a result, the pair of door portions 17 rotate about the pair of hinge portions 16, and the lower door portion 19 rotates about the lower hinge portion 18, thereby opening the airbag opening 21.

[0058] Furthermore, the airbag 13 that is deployed and inflated can receive an upward reaction force from the lower door portion 19, so that the airbag 13 can be deployed and inflated upward more suitably.

[0059] Second Embodiment The second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Note that in the second embodiment, the same or corresponding configurations as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8(a), the instrument panel 30 includes a panel body 31 and an airbag door 11. The panel body 31 has an opening 40 that overlaps with the airbag opening 21 of the retainer 14 in the front-rear direction L.

[0061] The airbag door 11 is provided at the opening 40 and is configured to open and close the airbag opening 21 and the opening 40 . The opening 40 has a rectangular shape and includes an upper edge 41 and a lower edge 42 that extend in the vehicle width direction W and are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction Z, and a pair of side edges 43 that extend in the up-down direction Z.

[0062] The airbag door 11 includes a pair of door portions 45 adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction W. The door section 45 is configured to be deformable between an unfolded state (see FIG. 8(a)) in which the door section 45 is unfolded to close the opening 40, and a folded state (see FIG. 8(c)) in which the door section 45 is folded to open the opening 40.

[0063] The door portion 45 includes a first door portion 46 and a second door portion 47. The first door portion 46 and the second door portion 47 are both rectangular plate-shaped and adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction W. The second door portion 47 is adjacent to the side edge portion 43 in the vehicle width direction W.

[0064] Guide portions 44 are provided on the upper edge portion 41 and the lower edge portion 42 to guide the deformation of the door portion 45 between the unfolded state and the folded state. The guide portions 44 have grooves 44a extending in the vehicle width direction W.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 8(a) to 8(c), the first door section 46 and the second door section 47 are connected via a hinge section 48. First shaft portions 46a that protrude in the up-down direction Z are provided on the upper and lower edge portions of the first door portion 46. The first shaft portions 46a are provided on the ends of the upper and lower edge portions of the first door portion 46 that are opposite the ends where the hinge portion 48 is located in the vehicle width direction W.

[0066] The first shaft portion 46a is configured to be movable in the vehicle width direction W by being loosely fitted in the groove 44a. Second shaft portions 47a that protrude in the up-down direction Z are provided on the upper and lower edge portions of the second door portion 47. The second shaft portions 47a are provided on the ends of the upper and lower edge portions of the second door portion 47 that are opposite the ends where the hinge portion 48 is located in the vehicle width direction W. The second shaft portions 47a are attached to the groove 44a so as to be rotatable about the axis of the second shaft portions 47a and so as to be immovable in the vehicle width direction W.

[0067] The retainer 14 of this embodiment does not have the pair of door portions 17 and the lower door portion 19. The operation of the second embodiment will be described.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 8(b), the pair of door sections 45 are pressed rearward by the airbag 13. As a result, the hinge section 48 moves rearward, causing the first door section 46 to rotate about the axis of the first shaft section 46a, and the second door section 47 to rotate about the axis of the second shaft section 47a. Then, the first shaft sections 46a of the pair of first door sections 46 move along the groove 44a so as to move away from each other in the vehicle width direction W, causing the first door section 46 and the second door section 47 to fold. At this time, the second shaft section 47a does not move in the vehicle width direction W, so that the door sections 45 are folded, and the opening 40 is opened as shown in FIG. 8(c). Then, the airbag 13 that has passed through the opening 40 deploys and inflates rearward and upward.

[0069] The effects of the second embodiment will be described. (2-1) The door section 45 is configured to be deformable between an unfolded state in which the door section 45 is unfolded to close the opening 40, and a folded state in which the door section 45 is folded to open the opening 40.

[0070] Additionally, grooves 44a are provided at the upper edge 41 and the lower edge 42 of the opening 40 as guide portions 44 that guide the deformation of the door portion 45 between the unfolded state and the folded state. According to this configuration, the above-mentioned effect is achieved, and the pair of door portions 45 are in a folded state, so that the rearward protrusion length of the door portions 45 when the airbag 13 is deployed and inflated can be shortened.

[0071] <Third embodiment> The third embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the second embodiment, with reference to Figures 9 to 15. Note that in the third embodiment, the same or corresponding configurations as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the instrument panel 30 includes a panel body 31 having an opening 40, and an airbag door 11. 10, the rear portion of the upper edge 41 of the opening 40 protrudes downward more than the front portion, and the front portion of the lower edge 42 of the opening 40 protrudes upward more than the rear portion.

[0073] 9 and 11, a pair of guide portions 50 are provided on the pair of side edge portions 43. The guide portions 50 extend in the vertical direction Z. The guide portions 50 are provided with guide grooves 50a extending in the vertical direction Z. A communication port 51 that opens forward and communicates with the guide grooves 50a is provided in a lower portion of the guide portion 50.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 9, the airbag door 11 has a rectangular plate shape. 10, the front portion of the upper edge of the airbag door 11 protrudes upward more than the rear portion, and the rear portion of the lower edge of the airbag door 11 protrudes downward more than the front portion.

[0075] 9 and 11, a pair of protrusions 52 protruding in the vehicle width direction W is provided on the upper portion of each end of the airbag door 11 in the vehicle width direction W. The protrusions 52 are, for example, cylindrical. The pair of protrusions 52 are loosely fitted into the pair of guide grooves 50a, respectively.

[0076] A pair of engaging protrusions 54 protruding in the vehicle width direction W are provided at the lower portion of each end of the airbag door 11. The engaging protrusions 54 are, for example, cylindrical. The pair of engaging protrusions 54 are loosely fitted into the pair of guide grooves 50a.

[0077] The pair of engaging protrusions 54 function as engaging portions 53 that engage with the opening 40 in a closed state in which the airbag door 11 closes the opening 40, thereby maintaining the closed state. The engaging portions 53 are configured to be released from engagement with the panel main body 31 when pressed by the airbag 13.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the length L1 of the engaging protrusion 54 is shorter than the length L2 of the protruding portion 52 (L1 < L2). The diameter R1 of the engaging protrusion 54 is smaller than the diameter R2 of the protruding portion 52 (R1 < R2). Also, the tip of the engaging protrusion 54 is chamfered.

[0079] Next, the procedure for attaching the airbag door 11 to the pair of guides 50 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 14(a), by inserting the upper end portion of the airbag door 11 into the opening 40 from the rear, the protruding portion 52 is disposed in front of the communication port 51.

[0080] Subsequently, by moving the protruding portion 52 backward, it is inserted into the guide groove 50a from the communication port 51. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the protruding portion 52 is moved upward along the guide groove 50a.

[0081] Subsequently, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 14(b), the lower portion of the airbag door 11 is rotated about the axis of the protruding portion 52 and moved forward. At this time, the engaging protrusion 54 is pressed against the edge of the opening 40 and the guide 50, causing itself or the panel body 31 and the guide 50 to flex and deform. As a result, the engaging protrusion 54 is loosely fitted into the pair of guide grooves 50a. Thus, the airbag door 11 is attached to the opening 40.

[0082] The operation of the third embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, when the airbag 13 presses the airbag door 11 backward, the engaging protrusion 54, which is shorter and thinner than the protruding portion 52, disengages rearward from the guide groove 50a. As a result, while the protruding portion 52 is guided by the guide groove 50a, the airbag door 11 moves downward due to its own weight, thereby opening the airbag opening 21 (open state). Then, the airbag 13 expands and inflates rearward and upward.

[0083] The effects of the third embodiment will be described. (3-1) The airbag door 11 is configured to transition from a closed state in which it closes the opening 40 to an open state in which the airbag door 11 moves downward along the guide groove 50a due to its own weight, thereby opening the airbag opening 21.

[0084] According to this configuration, the rearward protrusion length of the airbag door 11 when the airbag 13 is deployed and inflated can be shortened. (3-2) The engaging portions 53 are a pair of engaging protrusions 54 provided on the lower portion of each end of the airbag door 11 in the vehicle width direction W. The engaging protrusions 54 protrude in the vehicle width direction W and are loosely fitted into the pair of guide grooves 50a.

[0085] According to this configuration, the engaging portion 53 can be easily realized by the pair of engaging protrusions 54 loosely fitted into the pair of guide grooves 50a. (3-3) The tip of the engaging protrusion 54 is chamfered.

[0086] According to this configuration, when the airbag door 11 is attached to the opening 40, the chamfered tip of the engaging protrusion 54 comes into contact with the opening 40, so the engaging protrusion 54 can easily pass through the opening 40. Therefore, the airbag door 11 can be easily attached to the opening 40.

[0087] Furthermore, when the airbag door 11 is pressed rearward by the airbag 13, the chamfered tip of the engaging protrusion 54 comes into contact with the guide groove 50a, making it easier for the engaging protrusion 54 to disengage rearward from the guide groove 50a. This allows the door 11 to easily transition from the closed state to the open state.

[0088] <Example of change> The first to third embodiments can be modified as follows: The first to third embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0089] In the third embodiment, the tip portion of the engaging protrusion 54 does not have to be chamfered. In the third embodiment, the engaging portion 53 is not limited to the engaging protrusion 54. For example, a recess may be provided in the lower edge 42 of the opening 40, and a claw portion that fits into the recess may be provided in the lower edge of the airbag door 11.

[0090] In the second embodiment, the configuration of the airbag door 11 is not limited to the above. For example, the second shaft portion 47a may be omitted, and the side edge portion 43 of the opening 40 of the panel main body 31 and the edge of the second door portion 47 adjacent to the side edge portion 43 may be integrally formed by a hinge. Alternatively, the hinge portion 48 may be omitted, and a notch extending in the vertical direction Z may be provided on the rear surface of the door portion 45, so that the pair of door portions 45 are folded starting from the notch. In either case, the above-described operational effect (2-1) can be achieved.

[0091] In the first to third embodiments, a skin may be provided on the rear surface of the base material of the instrument panel 30. The skin may be made of synthetic leather, for example. In the second embodiment, it is preferable to provide tear lines on the front surface of the skin in the following areas in the front-rear direction L: a portion overlapping the boundary line between the airbag door 11 and the opening 40; a portion overlapping the boundary line between the pair of door sections 45; and a portion overlapping the boundary line between the first door section 46 and the second door section 47. In the third embodiment, it is preferable to provide tear lines on the front surface of the skin in the following areas in the front-rear direction L: a portion overlapping the boundary line between the airbag door 11 and the opening 40.

[0092] In the first embodiment, the lower door portion 19 may be omitted, and the pair of door portions 17 may be adjacent to the lower edge portion 24. Also, the pair of door portions 17 may be omitted, and the lower door portion 19 may be adjacent to the upper edge portion 23.

[0093] In the first embodiment, the airbag door 11 and the panel body 31 may be formed separately. In this case, the upper tear line 34, the side edge tear lines 37, and the lowermost tear line 38 are omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 10...Airbag device 11...Airbag door 12...Airbag module 13...Airbag 13a...Upper expansion section 13b...Lower expansion part 14...Retainer 15...Inflator 16...Hinge part 17...Door section 18...Lower hinge part 19...Lower door section 20...Cylindrical part 21...Airbag opening 22...periphery 23...Upper edge 24...Lower edge 25...Side edge 30...Instrument panel 30a...Top part 30b…Rear part 31...Panel body 33...Tear line 34...Upper tear line 35...Central tear line 36...Lower tear line 37...Side edge tear line 38...Lowest tear line 40...Opening 41...Upper edge 42...Lower edge 43...Side edge 44…Information Department 44a...Groove 45...Door section 46...First door section 46a...First shaft 47...Second door section 47a...Second shaft part 48...Hinge part 50…Information Department 50a...Guide groove 51...Communication port 52...Protrusion 53...Engagement portion 54…Engagement protrusion 60...Reinforce 70...Windshield B1, B2…Boundary Line P…Crew PH…head PT…Chest PK…knee

Claims

1. An airbag device for a vehicle including an airbag door and an airbag module, When the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are defined as the front and rear, The airbag door is provided at the rear portion of the instrument panel of the vehicle, the airbag module includes an airbag that deploys and inflates when gas is supplied thereto, and a retainer having a cylindrical portion that houses the airbag, and is disposed in front of the airbag door; the cylindrical portion has an airbag opening that opens rearward and through which the airbag passes when deployed and inflated, The airbag door is configured to move in a vehicle width direction or downward while being pressed by the deployed and inflated airbag, thereby opening the airbag opening, The instrument panel includes: a panel body having an opening that overlaps with the airbag opening in the front-rear direction; an airbag door provided at the opening and configured to open and close the airbag opening and the opening, the opening has an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion extending in the vehicle width direction and positioned at a distance from each other in the up-down direction, and a pair of side edge portions extending in the up-down direction, The airbag door includes a pair of door portions adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction, the door portion is configured to be deformable between an unfolded state in which the door portion is unfolded to close the opening and a folded state in which the door portion is folded to open the opening, The upper edge and the lower edge of the opening are provided with guide portions that guide the deformation of the door portion between the unfolded state and the folded state. An airbag device for a vehicle.

2. An airbag device for a vehicle including an airbag door and an airbag module, When the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are defined as the front and rear, The airbag door is provided at the rear portion of the instrument panel of the vehicle, the airbag module includes an airbag that deploys and inflates when gas is supplied thereto, and a retainer having a cylindrical portion that houses the airbag, and is disposed in front of the airbag door; the cylindrical portion has an airbag opening that opens rearward and through which the airbag passes when deployed and inflated, The airbag door is configured to move in a vehicle width direction or downward while being pressed by the deployed and inflated airbag, thereby opening the airbag opening, The instrument panel includes: a panel body having an opening that overlaps with the airbag opening in the front-rear direction; an airbag door provided at the opening and configured to open and close the airbag opening and the opening, the opening has an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion extending in the vehicle width direction and positioned at a distance from each other in the up-down direction, and a pair of side edge portions extending in the up-down direction, a pair of protrusions protruding in the vehicle width direction are provided on upper portions of both ends of the airbag door in the vehicle width direction, a pair of guide portions each having a pair of guide grooves extending in the vertical direction and into which the pair of protrusions are loosely fitted, and the airbag door has an engaging portion that engages with an edge of the opening to maintain the closed state when the airbag door closes the opening, The engaging portion is configured to be released from engagement with the panel main body when pressed by the airbag. An airbag device for a vehicle.

3. a pair of engaging protrusions that protrude in the vehicle width direction and are loosely fitted into the pair of guide grooves are provided at lower portions of both ends of the airbag door in the vehicle width direction, The engaging portions are the pair of engaging protrusions.

3. The airbag device for a vehicle according to claim 2.

Images