Airbag, airbag module, vehicle occupant safety system and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag (100), in particular a front airbag, for constraining a vehicle occupant in a motor vehicle, comprising a middle cushion section (10) and a plurality of side support sections (11, 12), which are connected to side surfaces (13, 14) of the middle cushion section (10) to form the airbag (100), the invention relates to an intermediate mat section (10) for a vehicle occupant, said intermediate mat section (10) comprising, in use, an impact surface (15) for the vehicle occupant, which impact surface is oriented rearward in the direction of travel, and a first support surface (16), which is oriented forward in the direction of travel and which is formed continuously over the entire width of the intermediate mat section (10) for supporting on an interference contour, in particular a steering wheel or a display screen, according to the invention, the side support sections (11, 12) have second and third support surfaces (17, 18) which project forward beyond the first support surface (16) in the direction of travel in order to be supported on an instrument panel (110) of the vehicle, and the intermediate pad section (10) and the side support sections (11, 12) form a receiving region (19) for interfering with a contour.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag for restraining vehicle occupants, an airbag module, a vehicle occupant safety system, and a vehicle having such an airbag. Background Technology

[0002] To improve occupant safety, airbag modules are used as restraint devices in vehicles. These are typically called front airbags (also known as front airbags), where one airbag deploys as a cushion in front of the vehicle occupants during a collision, buffering the impact on the occupants, especially their heads. Here, we distinguish between driver-side and passenger-side airbags. The passenger-side airbag is installed in the dashboard and has a larger volume compared to the driver-side airbag located in the steering wheel. Therefore, the passenger-side airbag has a larger restraint area.

[0003] Setting up airbags in the dashboard is more difficult with driver-side airbags than with passenger-side airbags because the steering wheel, positioned in front of the dashboard, may obstruct airbag deployment.

[0004] In addition, there is a trend towards narrow steering wheel designs, which limit the space available in the steering wheel to accommodate the driver's airbag. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide an airbag for restraining vehicle occupants in a motor vehicle, which is suitable for installation in the dashboard and deploys reliably despite interference profiles between the vehicle occupants and the dashboard. Furthermore, the object of this invention is to provide an airbag module, a vehicle occupant safety system, and a vehicle having such an airbag.

[0006] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by an airbag, particularly a front airbag, for restraining vehicle occupants in a motor vehicle. The airbag comprises a central cushion section and a plurality of side support sections connected to the sides of the central cushion section to form the airbag. The central cushion section has a rearwardly oriented impact surface for the vehicle occupants in the direction of travel and a first support surface oriented forward in the direction of travel. The first support surface is constructed to be continuous over the entire width of the central cushion section to support an interference profile, particularly a steering wheel or display screen. The side support sections have second and third support surfaces that project forward in the direction of travel beyond the first support surface to support the vehicle's dashboard. The central cushion section and the side support sections constitute a receiving area for the interference profile. This receiving area for the interference profile allows the airbag according to the invention to deploy around and bypass the interference profile upon inflation. Therefore, the airbag deploys substantially unimpeded. Furthermore, when the vehicle occupants are embedded in the impact surface of the cushion section, the interference profile is also used for force transmission due to the first support surface. Because the first support surface is constructed to be continuous across the entire width of the intermediate pad section, the entire surface of the intermediate pad section can be used to transfer force to the interference profile. The support effect is improved by the side support sections having second and third support surfaces according to the invention, which protrude forward from the first support surface along the driving direction to support the airbag on the vehicle's dashboard. Therefore, in the event of a collision, the airbag receives support from the interference profile and additional support from the dashboard at two locations. This three-point support achieves stable positioning of the airbag.

[0007] The airbag of the present invention is particularly suitable for front airbags for front occupants. The invention is applicable to driver-side airbags, where the steering wheel forms an interference profile. The airbag is also applicable to passenger-side airbags to bypass interference profiles or displays located in the deployment trajectory on the passenger side. The airbag of the present invention can deploy from the dashboard over the interference profile and is positioned above the interference profile in the inflated state. Here, the airbag is supported on the interference profile (i.e., on the steering wheel, display, or similar object) and the dashboard, and is supported on both sides of the dashboard in the central pad section, thereby stabilizing the airbag.

[0008] Furthermore, since more airbag material can be placed in the dashboard compared to placing it in the steering wheel, the present invention also provides the possibility of making the volume of the driver's side airbag close to that of the passenger side airbag.

[0009] In one embodiment of the airbag, the width of the intermediate pad section matches the width of the interference profile. This achieves optimal area utilization for airbag support on the interference profile. Since the intermediate pad section also forms the bottom of the recess that accommodates the interference profile, the available area is also fully utilized to position the airbag above the interference profile. The intermediate pad section may be slightly wider than the interference profile to provide a sufficiently large impact surface for the occupant, for example, in the case of a particularly narrow steering wheel.

[0010] Preferably, the side support sections form protrusions that extend obliquely forward in the direction of travel, and the ends of these protrusions form second and third support surfaces. Therefore, the airbag is positioned particularly reliably above the interference profile during inflation and deployment, as the oblique protrusions prevent collision with the interference profile. Furthermore, the airbag can also accommodate interference profiles slightly wider than the central pad section, since these interference profiles rest against the slope of the corresponding protrusions.

[0011] The side support sections can be configured to abut against the interference profile in the transition area to the intermediate pad section. This improves the lateral stability of the inflatable airbag because the airbag surrounds the interference profile at least in the lateral direction when the interference profile is positioned in the receiving area and abuts against the first support surface.

[0012] The side support section can narrow forward along the driving direction. In this way, the volume to be inflated is defined, while the support on the dashboard via the second and third support surfaces remains unchanged.

[0013] In one embodiment, the side support segments are configured as angled or ear-shaped protrusions. This design has proven particularly effective for support on dashboards.

[0014] Regarding the airbag module, vehicle occupant safety system, and vehicle, the objectives stated at the beginning are achieved by the solutions of claims 7, 8, and 9. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are as follows:

[0016] Figure 1 A perspective bottom view of an inflatable airbag according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; and

[0017] Figure 2 A perspective bottom view of an inflatable airbag according to another embodiment of the invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Figure 1An inflatable airbag 100 for restraining vehicle occupants in a motor vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown in a perspective view from the footwell, so that the outline of the airbag 100 can be clearly seen along the direction of travel and from below.

[0019] Here, the airbag is the driver-side airbag 100. This airbag is part of an airbag module (not shown) arranged in the instrument panel 110. The airbag module is capable of achieving a deployment trajectory that extends substantially along the windshield, i.e., a deployment trajectory along the gap between the instrument panel 110 and the windshield towards the vehicle occupants. On this trajectory, the steering wheel 120 constitutes an interference profile between the instrument panel 110 and the vehicle occupants. The airbag module is arranged such that the airbag 100 deploys over the steering wheel 120 and is positioned above the steering wheel 120 in its final position. Alternatively, the airbag 100 may be arranged within the instrument panel 110 in the passenger-side area of ​​the vehicle and deploy around the display screen while avoiding the display screen as an interference profile.

[0020] Therefore, the airbag 100 has a central cushion section 10 and side support sections 11, 12. These side support sections 11, 12 are connected to the central cushion section 10 in... Figure 1 The left side 13 and the right side 14 are connected and together with the middle pad section, they form the airbag 100.

[0021] The intermediate cushion section 10, also known as the front panel, has a rearwardly oriented impact surface 15 in the direction of travel. This impact surface 15 is oriented in the inflated state such that vehicle occupants, particularly their heads, are embedded in the impact surface 15 to cushion the impact. Figure 1 In the airbag 100, the impact surface 15 is positioned on the upper side in front of the occupant and is only visible at the edge when viewed from a lower angle. Oriented forward along the driving direction, the intermediate cushion section 10 has a first support surface 16. This first support surface 16 is positioned such that it supports the interference profile in the inflated state. The first support surface 16 and the impact surface 15 are arranged substantially opposite to each other.

[0022] The first support surface 16 extends and is continuously formed over the entire width of the intermediate pad section 10. This means that the first support surface 16 extends substantially continuously over the entire width of the intermediate pad section 10, without any pouch or similar local recesses. Therefore, the first support surface 16 is continuously flat, or continuously slightly raised outward (i.e., towards the interference profile). Therefore, the manufacture of the airbag 100, and especially the intermediate pad section 10, is simple.

[0023] Side support sections 11 and 12 extend generally transversely to the direction of travel and are fluidly connected to the two sides 13 and 14 of the center cushion section 10. During inflation, gas flowing into the center cushion section 10 flows from there into the side support sections 11 and 12, inflating these side support sections. The side support sections 11 and 12 have second and third support surfaces 17 and 18, which are formed on the free distal ends of the support sections 11 and 12. Figure 1 As can be clearly seen, the second and third support surfaces 17 and 18 protrude forward beyond the first support surface 16 in the direction of travel. The second and third support surfaces 17 and 18 are configured to support the vehicle's dashboard 110.

[0024] exist Figure 1 In the middle, the support surfaces 17 and 18 are attached to the instrument panel 110. Therefore, in the event of a collision, the airbag 100 is supported on both sides.

[0025] Because the three support surfaces 16, 17, and 18 are arranged in different planes, specifically two planes, it is achieved that, in the event of a collision, the interference profile (i.e., the steering wheel 120) and the instrument panel 110 support the airbag 100 on the one hand and on the other hand. Here, the distance between the two planes is set such that the first support surface 16, located in the first plane, abuts against the interference profile or the steering wheel 120, while the two other support surfaces 17 and 18, located in the second plane, abut against the instrument panel 110.

[0026] Furthermore, the intermediate pad section 10 and the side support sections 11 and 12 form a receiving area 19 for the interference contour. The airbag contour provides space for the interference contour, so that the airbag 100 is positioned around the interference contour when inflated. For example, it can be... Figure 1 As seen in the image, if the accommodating area 19 provides space for the interference profile or steering wheel 120, that is sufficient. Precise form-locking accommodating is not required.

[0027] According to Figure 1 In this embodiment, the width of the intermediate pad segment 10 is slightly larger than the maximum width of the interference profile (in this case, the narrow steering wheel 120). This ensures that the interference profile is reliably contained within the receiving area 19. However, not the entire width of the intermediate pad segment 10 is used to support the interference profile.

[0028] In comparison, Figure 2 It is shown that, in a ratio Figure 1In the case of a wider steering wheel 120 as the interference profile, the center pad segment 10 may be slightly narrower than the maximum width of the interference profile. "Matching the width of the center pad segment 10 to the width of the interference profile" may (but does not necessarily) mean that the width of the center pad segment 10 precisely corresponds to the maximum width of the interference profile. Figure 1 , 2 As shown, slight upward and downward deviations are possible. The goal is to make the width of the intermediate pad segment 10 as close as possible to the maximum width of the interference profile, so as to make full use of the available first support surface 16 for force transmission in the event of a collision.

[0029] If it is possible Figure 1 , 2 As seen in the image, the side support sections 11 and 12 form protrusions 20 that extend forward at an angle along the driving direction. The opening angle of these protrusions 20 relative to the center cushion section 10 is designed to prevent collisions between the side support sections 11 and 12 and the interference contour when the airbag 100 deploys. On the other hand, the opening angle is so steep that the instrument panel 110 and the second and third support surfaces 17 and 18 can come into contact with each other in the event of a collision.

[0030] according to Figure 2 The side support sections 11 and 12 at least partially abut against the interference contour. This is achieved by matching the width of the intermediate pad section 10 to the maximum width of the interference contour, such that the side support sections 11 and 12 contact the interference contour at least in the transition region to the intermediate pad section 10. Because the side support sections 11 and 12 are designed as inclined protrusions 20, lateral stability of the airbag 100 is achieved through the side support sections 11 and 12.

[0031] The side support sections 11 and 12 narrow forward along the driving direction and are configured as angular protrusions 20, the free ends of which form the second and third support surfaces 17 and 18. The shape of the angular protrusions 20 or the angular portions can be achieved by modifying the pleated seams, limiting strips, or circumferential portions. The principle of supporting the steering wheel 120 on the left and right sides by the angular protrusions 20 remains unchanged. The airbag 100 is particularly positionally stable at three locations (i.e., on the interference profile and on both sides of the interference profile on the instrument panel 110).

[0032] The invention has been illustrated above by way of example with the driver-side airbag 100 and the steering wheel 120 serving as an interference profile. The invention can also be used in conjunction with other interference profiles (e.g., displays). For example, the invention can be applied to the passenger side when a display serving as an interference profile is arranged between the instrument panel 110 and the vehicle occupant on the passenger side.

[0033] exist Figure 1 , 2 The airbag module is not shown. The airbag module includes an airbag 100 and a gas generator fluid-tightly connected to the airbag 100. The gas generator is mounted in the instrument panel 110 or dashboard behind the steering wheel 120. The airbag 100 can be designed according to the aforementioned embodiments.

[0034] List of reference numerals

[0035] 10. Intermediate Pad Section

[0036] 11 First side support section

[0037] 12 Second side support section

[0038] 13. Left side of the middle pad section

[0039] 14. Right side of the middle pad section

[0040] 15 Collision Surfaces

[0041] 16 First Support Surface

[0042] 17 Second Support Surface

[0043] 18 Third support surface

[0044] 19 Accommodation Area

[0045] 20. Protrusion

[0046] 100 airbags

[0047] 110 Dashboard

[0048] 120 steering wheel

Claims

1. Airbag (100), in particular a front airbag, for restraining a vehicle occupant in a motor vehicle, comprising an intermediate cushion section (10) and a plurality of side support sections (11, 12), each of which is connected to a side (13, 14) of the intermediate cushion section (10) to form the airbag (100), wherein - the intermediate cushion section (10) has, in use, a crash surface (15) for the vehicle occupant which is oriented rearward in the direction of travel and a first support surface (16) which is oriented forward in the direction of travel and which is formed continuously over the entire width of the intermediate cushion section (10) in order to be supported on an interference contour, in particular a steering wheel or a display screen, - the side support sections (11, 12) have second and third support surfaces (17, 18) which project forward in the direction of travel beyond the first support surface (16) in order to be supported on a dashboard (110) of the vehicle, and - the intermediate cushion section (10) and the side support sections (11, 12) form a receiving region (19) for the interference contour.

2. The airbag (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the intermediate cushion section (10) matches the width of the interference contour.

3. The airbag (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The side support sections (11, 12) form protrusions (20) which extend obliquely forward in the direction of travel, and the end portions of the protrusions form the second and third support surfaces (17, 18).

4. The airbag (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The side support sections (11, 12) are matched in order to lie against the interference contour in the transition region to the intermediate cushion section (10).

5. The airbag (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The side support sections (11, 12) taper forward in the direction of travel.

6. The airbag (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The side support sections (11, 12) are formed as angular or ear-like protrusions (20).

7. Airbag module for installation in a dashboard (110), in particular behind a steering wheel (120), comprising an airbag (100) according to any one of the preceding claims and a gas generator which is connected fluidically sealingly to the airbag (100).

8. Vehicle occupant safety system comprising an airbag (100) or an airbag module according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Vehicle comprising an airbag (100), an airbag module and / or a vehicle occupant safety system according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images