US 2004/0164527 A1 · Knee-protecting airbag device

Abstract

In a knee-protecting airbag device according to the present invention, an airbag folded and housed in undeployed condition protrudes rearward from a housing case to deploy upward and protects knees of a driver upon inflow of inflation gas. The airbag includes a cover portion for covering a vehicle's rear side of an area proximate to the key cylinder upon completion of deployment, and a general portion in the upper edge side of the airbag except the cover portion. Kinetic energy of the cover portion as deployed in a position of complete deployment is restrained compared with a kinetic energy of the general portion as deployed in a position of complete deployment. This restraint is achieved by reducing amount of inflation gas flowing into the cover portion. The knee-protecting airbag device of the present invention prevents the inflating airbag from contacting with key accessories hung down from an ignition key inserted into the key cylinder in a manner to cause gas leakage.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A knee-protecting airbag device located below a steering column in front of a driver and, at a lower side of a key cylinder into which an ignition key with an accessory is inserted, the airbag device comprising:

a housing case located below the steering column;
an airbag folded and housed in the housing case in undeployed condition, and upon inflow of inflation gas, the airbag protruding rearward from the housing case to deploy upward for protecting knees of the driver;
the airbag comprising:
a cover portion located in a left or right corner in an upper edge side of the airbag as completely deployed for covering a vehicle's rear side of an area proximate to the key cylinder;
and
a general portion being the upper edge side of the airbag completely deployed except the cover portion;
and
a damage prevention means for preventing the airbag from being damaged by the key accessory and leaking gas when the inflated airbag contacts with the key accessory directly.

5 more elements

a housing case located below the steering column;
an airbag folded and housed in the housing case in undeployed condition, and upon inflow of inflation gas, the airbag protruding rearward from the housing case to deploy upward for protecting knees of the driver, the airbag comprising a cover portion located in a left or right corner in an upper edge side of the airbag as completely deployed for covering a vehicle's rear side of an area proximate to the key cylinder;
and
a damage prevention member located in the periphery of the key cylinder for preventing the airbag from contacting with the key accessory in a manner to cause gas leakage.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Knee-protecting airbag device

Life of this patent

Knee-protecting airbag device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20