DE102006050868A1 - Passenger restraining method for vehicle, involves blowing gas bag to protect head of passenger, such that movement component is exhibited along vehicle axis and gas bag lays in balancing of movement on shoulder of passenger - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves blowing a gas bag (18) e.g. side gas bag, to protect the head of a passenger (24), such that a movement component is exhibited along a vehicle vertical axis (H) and the gas bag lays in balancing of the movement on the shoulder (30) of the passenger. The extent of the movement and the final positions of the gas bag are dependent on a position of the shoulder of the passenger, where the gas bag has a movement component with respect to a vehicle vertical axis.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for restraining a vehicle occupant.

Have airbags proved to be very effective to protect vehicle occupants from injury to preserve. The better shape and position of the gas bag in position and size of the vehicle occupant are, the better understandably also the retention effect. To adapt to different sizes and Sitting positions of the occupant to be able to, it is known, large-scale inflatable Provide chambers so as to minimize the variation in impact point, e.g. of Compensate the head of the vehicle occupant. But that requires a lot Space and high performance of the gas generator, both disadvantageous is.

The Invention provides a possibility before, easily a restraint system to align with different vehicle occupants, so that the vehicle occupant always optimally restrained can.

For this is a procedure for withholding a Vehicle occupant proposed in which an inflated the head more protective of the vehicle occupant Airbag, especially a side airbag, when inflating a Movement component along a vehicle vertical axis and has the gas bag in the conclusion of the Movement on a shoulder of the vehicle occupant lays, the Extent of Movement and the final position of the gas bag depending on the position of the shoulder of the vehicle occupant. The area used for retention of the Gas bags can be chosen relatively low because over the End position of the gas bag on the shoulder of the vehicle occupant always a clear spatial relationship between the head and the gas bag is created. The End position of the gas bag in the vertical direction, ie the direction along the vehicle's vertical axis, is dependent on the size of the vehicle occupant. In a small vehicle occupant with lower-lying shoulder the gas bag will occupy a lower end position than at a big one Vehicle occupants.

Preferably has the gas bag during its unfolding initially a component of motion with respect to the vehicle vertical axis upwards. This way it positions itself the gas bag is correct even for very tall people.

The Movement of the gas bag is running prefers so that the Airbag in a final phase its unfolding has a component of movement down, itself thus lowers from above on the shoulder of the vehicle occupant.

The Deployment direction of the gas bag thus describes an advantageous Bow.

In addition to the arched one Movement in through the vehicle's vertical axis and the vehicle longitudinal direction spanned level, the gas bag in its unfolding initially a Have motion component to a vehicle outside and in one subsequent Deployment phase, a component of motion towards the vehicle occupant. Also this second movement component in a vehicle vertical axis vertical plane ensures a targeted placement of the gas bag, under a possible circumvention from existing annoying ones Contours such as a safety belt.

In a preferred embodiment the gas bag has a body up, which is attached to a thin, tubular Neck connects, and the orientation of the body changes while the deployment of the gas bag. The narrow one, in an initial phase The deployment still flexible neck allows the gas bag, during his Pivoting unfolding movement in all spatial directions and so a complex To perform movement in three-dimensional space, as well as the height differences at different sizes Compensate inmates.

at the description of the movement of the gas bag is preferably considered the way, the front end of the (during the unfolding only partially unfolded gas bag) takes.

The Invention also relates a vehicle occupant restraint system with one in the backrest a vehicle seat arranged gas bag module, the gas bag, In particular, a side gas bag, containing inflated the head protects a vehicle occupant, wherein the gas bag is arranged and designed so that its unfolded end position in the direction of a vehicle vertical axis depending on the position of a shoulder of the vehicle occupant and the gas bag in the deployed final position on the shoulder of the vehicle occupant rests. With the unfolded end position here is the fully inflated Meant final state of the gas bag.

Of the Airbag can be sized so that it is essentially only the Head of the vehicle occupant protects. This allows, on large-scale, much filling gas requiring, to dispense inflatable chambers and to use a small gas bag, the to get into the correct position faster.

As already mentioned above, the gas bag preferably has a tubular neck. This neck is in the unfolded state of the gas bag outside the backrest, but preferably still behind the backrest front side, arranged. Between the installation of the airbag and the head of the vehicle occupant to be protected is usually a certain distance that can be bridged by the neck. In this way, the volume of the gas bag can be further reduced.

If the gas bag module is arranged at an upper end of the backrest, is it is advantageous at an upper end of a frame of the backrest attached.

Prefers The gas bag can be aligned so that its lower edge to approx. 25 cm below the upper end of the backrest to come to rest can if the gas bag completely unfolded and no occupant affects the location of the airbag. Just in an arrangement of the gas bag module at the upper end of the backrest This results in a sufficient range of effect for different size Vehicle occupants.

Of the Airbag can both during its unfolding as well as in the fully inflated state a curved three-dimensional Taking form. For this purpose, the gas bag preferably has at least one inside or outside the airbag arranged molding element, which has its three-dimensional shape while the unfolding and / or inflated with controls. The Form element is e.g. a band, the sections of the gas bag wall together combines. about the form element can also be the movement of the gas bag during influence the unfolding.

A another possibility the deployment behavior and the direction of movement of the gas bag is on the module housing at least one guide surface form, which affects the deployment direction of the gas bag.

For this can on the module housing e.g. a U-shaped Recording for the gas bag be formed, and at least one of the side parts The recording can be used as a guide surface Act.

To the Example promotes it's the default of the gas bag in the direction of the vehicle occupant, if that to the vehicle occupant pointing, inner side part (in the vehicle longitudinal direction) formed shorter is as the vehicle occupant facing away, outer side panel. Also a floor of the module housing can as a guide surface be educated.

Further Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following Description of an embodiment with reference to the attached Drawings. In these show:

1 a schematic view of a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the invention with an inflated side airbag in various possible positions;

2a and 2 B the arrangement of a gas bag module of a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the invention;

3 a schematic plan view of an inventive vehicle occupant restraint system with a gas bag module in a sectional view;

4 the gas bag module in 8a in more detail;

5 the module housing of the gas bag module in 4 ;

6a and 6b the gas bag of a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the invention with a first or a second type of mold element;

7 Mechanisms for controlling the gas bag during its deployment;

8th to 10b schematically steps of the deployment of an airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the invention seen from the side or from above;

11a and 11b the vehicle occupant restraint system in 1 in a first possible position of the gas bag; and

12a and 12b the vehicle occupant restraint system in 1 in a second possible position of the gas bag.

1 shows a vehicle occupant restraint system 10 with a vehicle seat, of which essentially only the backrest 14 is shown. At the upper end of the backrest 14 is an airbag module 16 attached (this is best in the 2a and 2 B to recognize). In the gas bag module 16 is before activation of the vehicle occupant restraint system 10 an airbag 18 , here a side airbag, folded in a module housing 20 recorded (see 3 ).

When activating the vehicle occupant restraint system 10 unfolds the gas bag 18 from the module housing 20 out ( 4 and 5 ) in the eg in 1 shown position. The gas bag 18 should be fully inflated mainly the head 22 a vehicle occupant seated on the vehicle seat 24 protect.

The impact surface for the head 22 of the vehicle occupant 24 gets on a body 26 of the gas bag 18 provided. The body 26 I'm in the full Blown state a curved, three-dimensional shape (see, for example, the 6a and 6b ). To the body 26 closes a short, tubular, thin neck 28 which ends in a blow-in mouth and with which the gas bag 18 on the module housing 20 or a gas generator 29 ( 3 ) is attached. When fully inflated, the neck extends 28 outside the module housing 20 and outside the backrest 14 ,

The neck 28 is significantly shorter than the body 26 of the gas bag 18 ,

The 8a to 10b show the method for restraining the vehicle occupant 24 by a vehicle occupant adapted positioning of the gas bag 18 by means of the vehicle occupant restraint system 10 , This show the 8a and 8b an initial phase that 9a and 9b a middle phase and the 10a and 10b a final phase of the deployment of the gas bag 18 or the end position of the fully inflated airbag 18 ,

The instantaneous deployment direction is indicated by arrows in the 8a to 10b shown. Since the gas bag 18 During the movement to its final position still filled with gas and at the same time still partially folded, here is mainly a position of its front edge 36 which, of course, is always determined from a snapshot, tracked.

Upon activation of the vehicle occupant restraint system 10 becomes the gas generator 29 ignites and produces gas, which passes through the injection mouth through the neck 28 in the body 26 of the gas bag 18 flows. The gas bag 18 leaves the module housing 20 in a first direction with respect to a vehicle vertical axis H obliquely upward and with respect to a vehicle longitudinal direction x obliquely outward (see 8a and 8b ). In the plane perpendicular to the vertical axis H, the gas bag moves 18 in the first deployment phase, that is, by the vehicle occupant 24 away towards a vehicle outside 37 (schematically in 9b ).

During the first deployment phase, in the gas bag 18 partly still folded out of the module housing 20 is the throat, is the neck 28 still flexible and allows the body 26 of the gas bag 18 a movement in all spatial directions.

The outward movement component in the deployment of the gas bag 18 also ensures a sufficiently large distance to the head 22 of the vehicle occupant 24 in an early development phase.

In the in the 9a and 9b illustrated second deployment phase, the gas bag changes its direction of movement in both axial components. It now moves downwards and inwards with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction x on the vehicle occupants 24 to. This lowers the gas bag 18 from above on one shoulder 30 of the vehicle occupant 24 until he rests on this.

The vertical position of the fully deployed airbag 18 ( 10a and 10b ) depends on the position of the shoulder 30 of the vehicle occupant 24 , This is also in the 1 and 11a to 12b to recognize. For a large vehicle occupant ( 11a and 11b ) puts the gas bag only a relatively small distance against the vehicle's vertical axis H back and takes a first end position I one. A distance d between an upper end 34 the backrest 14 and a bottom edge 32 of the gas bag 18 this is relatively low.

In contrast, in a small vehicle occupant ( 12a and 12b ) moves the gas bag 18 a good way down to a second end position II in which the distance d is significantly greater. The distance d can be up to about 25 cm.

By way of illustration, in 1 both end positions I . II shown stored one above the other. In the 1 also shown third position III of the gas bag 18 represents a structurally specified end position (without vehicle occupants).

With increasing filling of the gas bag 18 gets the neck 28 stiffer. The movement of the gas bag 18 Therefore, in the course of deployment increasingly by the constructive predetermined end position of the gas bag 18 certainly.

The range of motion of the gas bag 18 along the vehicle's vertical axis H is approximately 25 cm in both directions, so that the lower edge 32 of the gas bag 18 (see eg 10a ) in the inflated state around the shoulder 30 up to approx. 25 cm below the upper end 34 the backrest can come to rest. Analog can be particularly large vehicle occupants 24 the lower edge 32 in the final position also up to approx. 25 cm above the upper end 34 the backrest 14 are located.

Due to the flexibility of the gas bag 18 through the thin neck 28 wins, along with the arcuate deployment in two levels, it is possible with the same vehicle occupant restraint system 10 and the same configuration of gas bag 18 and gas generator 29 to create an optimal restraint for people of all sizes.

The 4 and 5 show the structure of the gas bag module 16 closer. The gas bag module 16 is over a lower end of the module housing 20 at an upper end of a frame 38 the backrest 14 by means of a retaining clip 40 attached, eg screwed or riveted.

The module housing has a U-shaped receptacle 42 by two side panels 44 . 46 is limited, each extending approximately in the vehicle longitudinal direction x. That to the vehicle occupants 24 facing, inner side panel 44 is designed shorter in the vehicle longitudinal direction x than the outer, of the vehicle occupants 24 way-pointing side panel 46 , The two side parts 44 . 46 act as fins in the deployment of the gas bag 18 and above all influence the movement of the gas bag 18 in a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis H. About the shape and design of the two side panels 44 . 46 of the module housing 20 For example, the provision of the gas bag can be reset 18 in the direction of the vehicle occupant 24 support.

The gas bag 18 is in the module housing 20 rolled up in sections (see 3 ). About such a roll folding or a combination of a concertina folding and a roll folding can be the movement of the gas bag 18 in the space during its unfolding and filling in order to set a curved course of unfolding. The outward arrow in 3 illustrates an initial horizontal deployment component of the gas bag 18 ,

Both the shape of the gas bag 18 as well as its movement in its unfolding become also by form elements 48 . 50 on the gas bag 18 codetermined (see 6a and 6b ). These form elements 48 . 50 be used to the gas bag 18 to give a curved, three-dimensional shape in the fully inflated state and to influence its direction of movement during deployment. The form element 48 in the example shown is an outside on the gas bag 18 extending band, which at certain sections with the wall of the gas bag 18 connected is. The form element 48 extends in the example shown approximately in the vehicle longitudinal direction x. His role in the development of the gas bag 18 is eg in 9b to see, here ensures the form element 48 with the gas bag 18 pivots from its initially outward direction of unfolding in the final phase in an inwardly directed deployment direction.

The form element 48 is shorter than the body 26 of the gas bag 18 so that it's a head 22 of the vehicle occupant 24 curved shape of the gas bag 18 in the inflated state forces.

In addition, such a form element 48 Dampen vibrations during the unfolding process.

The form elements 50 are here as short, inside the gas bag 18 realized running bands, which also connect sections of the gas bag wall together. This will increase the depth of the gas bag 18 preset, and the gas bag 18 is a spatial curvature, here in the plane perpendicular to the vertical axis H, awarded. In addition, the form elements act 50 at least partially as gas guide surfaces for the gas bag 18 incoming filling gas. The pulse transmitted here can be used to control the movement of the gas bag 18 eg in vertical or horizontal direction exploit.

7 illustrates some ways to control the movement of the gas bag 18 in the vertical direction (corresponding to the vehicle vertical axis H) to influence. First, the gas generator 29 or its outflow area arranged so that a gas outflow is obliquely upward. At the bottom of the module housing 20 is additionally an obliquely upward ramp 52 arranged the gas bag 18 when exiting the module housing 20 steers upwards. In addition, in the gas bag 18 in the immediate vicinity of the neck 18 a form element 50 provided, which is oriented obliquely to the flow of the inflowing gas so that the gas bag 18 learn another impulse upwards. The constructive predetermined end position then requires with increasing filling and stiffening of the gas bag 18 in the final phase of filling a downward movement of the gas bag 18 ,

Also the arrangement of the outflow openings of the gas generator 29 with regard to the folded airbag package and the folding in the region of the gas generator 29 can therefore be exploited to an arcuate course of movement of the gas bag 18 during deployment in any desired spatial direction.

The entire gas bag module 16 may be disposed below a cover of the vehicle seat (not shown).

The gas bag 18 is small compared to conventional side airbags, the body 26 extends essentially only in the area of the head 22 of the vehicle occupant 24 ,

The movement of the gas bag 18 down to the shoulder 30 of the vehicle occupant 24 may be due to a rotation of the gas bag 18 towards the head 22 of the vehicle occupant 24 be superimposed, which also by the shape of the module housing 20 , the type of folding of the gas bag 18 , the direction the gas outflow from the gas generator 29 as well as form elements 48 . 50 being affected.

As well as the size of the vehicle occupant 24 the gas bag fits 18 of course, to some extent, the seating position of the vehicle occupant 24 at.

By the possibility of the gas bag 18 always optimally to the head 22 of the vehicle occupant 24 regardless of the size and largely also of the seating position of the vehicle occupant 24 , is it possible to use the gas bag 18 to shrink in total.

In addition to Of course, here further head airbags for protection can be shown here from other parts of the body be provided as thorax and pelvis. By a separation or division the protective effect on several airbags improves the positioning accuracy the restraint system, what the retention effect improved overall.

Claims (18)

Method for restraining a vehicle occupant in which an inflated head ( 22 ) of the vehicle occupant ( 24 ) protective airbag ( 18 ), in particular a side gas bag, when inflating a movement component along a vehicle vertical axis (H) and the gas bag ( 18 ) in the conclusion of the movement on a shoulder ( 30 ) of the vehicle occupant ( 24 ), whereby the extent of the movement and the end position ( I . II ) of the gas bag ( 18 ) depending on the position of the shoulder ( 30 ) of the vehicle occupant ( 24 ). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas bag ( 18 ) initially has a component of motion with respect to the vehicle's vertical axis (H) upwards during its deployment. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas bag ( 18 ) has a component of motion down in a final phase of its deployment. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deployment direction of the gas bag ( 18 ) describes an arc. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas bag ( 18 ) at its deployment initially a component of motion to a vehicle outer side ( 37 ) and in a subsequent deployment phase a movement component to the vehicle occupant ( 24 ) has. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas bag ( 18 ) a body ( 26 ), which is connected to a flexible, tubular neck ( 28 ) and the orientation of the body ( 26 ) changed during unfolding. Vehicle occupant restraint system with one in the backrest ( 14 ) of a vehicle seat arranged gas bag module ( 16 ), which has an airbag ( 18 ) that inflates the head ( 22 ) of a vehicle occupant ( 24 ), whereby the gas bag ( 18 ) is arranged and designed so that its unfolded end position ( I . II ) in the direction of a vehicle vertical axis (H) depending on the position of a shoulder ( 30 ) of the vehicle occupant ( 24 ) and the gas bag ( 18 ) in the unfolded end position ( I . II ) on the shoulder ( 30 ) of the vehicle occupant ( 24 ) rests. Vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 7, characterized in that the gas bag ( 18 ) is dimensioned so that it essentially only the head ( 22 ) of the vehicle occupant ( 24 ) covers. Vehicle occupant restraint system according to one of Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the gas bag ( 18 ) a flexible, tubular neck ( 28 ), which in the unfolded state of the gas bag ( 18 ) outside the backrest ( 14 ) is arranged. Vehicle occupant restraint system according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the gas bag module ( 16 ) at an upper end ( 34 ) of the backrest ( 14 ) is arranged. Vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 10, characterized in that the gas bag module ( 16 ) at an upper end of a frame ( 38 ) of the backrest ( 14 ) is attached. Vehicle occupant restraint system according to one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the gas bag ( 18 ) so that a lower edge ( 32 ) of the gas bag ( 18 ) to about 25 cm below the upper end ( 34 ) of the backrest ( 14 ) comes to rest. Vehicle occupant restraint system according to one of Claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the gas bag ( 18 ) at least one inside and / or outside of the gas bag ( 18 ) arranged mold element ( 48 . 50 ) having the three-dimensional shape of the gas bag ( 18 ) during deployment and / or when inflated. Vehicle occupant restraint system according to one of Claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the molded element ( 48 . 50 ) is a band that connects sections of the gas bag wall together. Vehicle occupant restraint system according to one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that on the module housing ( 20 ) at least one guide surface is formed, which the deployment direction of the gas bag ( 18 ). Vehicle occupant restraint system according to claim 15, characterized in that the module housing ( 20 ) a U-shaped receptacle ( 42 ) for the side airbag ( 18 ) and at least one of the side parts ( 44 . 46 ) of the recording ( 42 ) acts as a guide surface. Vehicle occupant restraint system according to Claim 16, characterized in that the inner side part facing the vehicle occupant ( 44 ) is shorter than the side facing away from the vehicle occupant, outer side part ( 46 ). Vehicle occupant restraint system according to one of Claims 7 to 17, characterized in that the gas bag ( 18 ) is a side airbag.