Vehicles with head airbags fixed to the vehicle body

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle having a head airbag (49) fixedly mounted to the vehicle body, the head airbag being covered invisibly by a canopy (3) having an opening (29) for functional components (5), particularly reading lights, wherein a fixing assembly (7) is provided on the rear side (11) of the canopy away from the vehicle interior space (1), by means of which the functional components (5) are secured. According to the invention, the fixing assembly (7) is equipped with at least one shielding element (51) arranged between the head airbag (49) and the fixing assembly (7) in the head airbag deployment direction (E), so that when the airbag deploys, the area of ​​the fixing assembly (7) with an interfering profile is shielded relative to the deployed head airbag (49).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle having a head airbag fixedly mounted on the vehicle body. Background Technology

[0002] In common practice, the body structure or body-in-white structure of dual-track motor vehicles has a roof frame consisting of roof frame longitudinal beams (i.e., roof frame side components) and roof frame cross beams. Various auxiliary components are fixedly connected to the body-in-white at the roof frame side components, such as brackets for head airbags or suspension components for suspending net-like partition bars.

[0003] In this type of vehicle, the head airbags, which are fixedly mounted to the vehicle body, are concealed invisibly by a canopy. This canopy has openings for functional components, particularly reading lights. A securing assembly is located on the rear side of the canopy, away from the vehicle's interior space, by means of which the functional components are fastened.

[0004] When the head airbag is activated, the deployed head airbag presses against the roof, causing the roof to swing out into the vehicle's interior space due to lateral deformation. Thus, the head airbag can deploy downwards into the vehicle's interior space along the vehicle's height.

[0005] In order to provide sufficient collision safety for vehicle occupants, it is necessary that when the head airbags are activated, the deployment path of the deployed head airbags is specifically oriented downwards towards the interior space of the vehicle.

[0006] A vehicle with a body-mounted head airbag is known from US 9,278,656 B2, the head airbag being concealed in an invisible manner by a roof. Ventilation openings are constructed in the roof, which are shielded by the head airbag via a protective cover. Another vehicle with a body-mounted head airbag is known from DE 20,2006 020 661 U1. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle in which head airbags deploy in a structurally simple manner to ensure defect-free and collision-safe operation in the event of a collision.

[0008] This objective is achieved by a vehicle having a head airbag fixedly mounted to the vehicle body, the head airbag being covered invisibly by a canopy having openings for functional components, particularly reading lights, wherein a fixing assembly is provided on the rear side of the canopy away from the vehicle interior space, the functional components being secured by means of the fixing assembly, characterized in that the fixing assembly is equipped with at least one shielding element arranged between the head airbag and the fixing assembly in the head airbag deployment direction, such that, when the airbag deploys, the area of ​​the fixing assembly with an interfering profile is shielded relative to the deployed head airbag.

[0009] This invention is based on a vehicle with a head airbag fixedly mounted to the vehicle body, the head airbag being concealed in an invisible manner by a roof. The roof has openings for functional components, particularly reading lights. A fixing assembly is provided on the back side of the roof, away from the vehicle's interior space, by means of which the functional components are secured. The fixing assembly protrudes from the back side of the roof by a profile height. The fixing assembly is equipped with at least one shielding element. The shielding element is positioned between the head airbag and the fixing assembly in the head airbag deployment direction. In this way, when the airbag deploys, the sharp area of ​​the fixing assembly shields the deployed head airbag, thereby ensuring defect-free and collision-safe head airbag deployment.

[0010] In one technical implementation, the fixing component has a mounting frame connected to the back side of the canopy. The mounting frame can be framed around the canopy opening and / or functional components. The functional components are fastened to the mounting frame by means of elastic elements. For example, the elastic element can have a sheet metal component with sharp shaving edges, which is manufactured by sheet metal forming. In this case, a shielding element can specifically shield the sharp areas at the elastic element.

[0011] The mounting frame can be adhesively connected to the roof back side, for example. For stable fastening of the functional components, the mounting frame may have an external connecting flange in its cross-section that connects to the roof back side. This connecting flange transitions at an internal transition edge into a mounting leg projecting from it. The mounting legs of the mounting frame restrict the assembly (Montageschaft, sometimes also called a mounting bar), into which the functional components can be inserted towards the vehicle's interior space during installation. After installation is complete, the functional components abut against a final position stop. An elastic element causes the functional components to stop in position. To this end, the elastic element uses elastic force to pre-tension the functional components towards the final position stop.

[0012] As mentioned above, the elastic element can be made of sheet metal. Alternatively, the elastic element can also be implemented as a plastic component. The elastic element can have a base that at least partially covers the assembly of the mounting frame. In the assembled state, the elastic element base uses elastic force to press the functional component against the final position stop. The elastic element base extends laterally outward with at least one elastic arm. The at least one elastic arm transitions to a locking bridge portion angled thereto. The locking bridge portion of the elastic arm surrounds the mounting leg on the outside and engages with a locking profile constructed on the outside of the mounting leg. It has been shown that, in particular, the elastic arm of the elastic element can form an interference profile for the deployed head airbag if necessary. In this context, a shielding element can in particular shield the elastic arm of the elastic element relative to the deployed head airbag.

[0013] In one implementation, the shielding element can be uniformly and integrally molded onto the assembly frame as a protective rib material. The protective rib is preferably constructed at the connecting flange of the assembly frame. Furthermore, the shielding element can be spaced apart, particularly aligned with the locking profile constructed on the outer side of the assembly leg, via a locking gap. In this way, a locking process for the elastic element without interference with its profile can be performed. Moreover, in the locked state, the locking bridging portion of the elastic element is arranged within the locking gap between the shielding element and the assembly leg of the assembly frame.

[0014] In simple elastic element assembly, the mounting leg locking profile can be an outwardly protruding locking protrusion that can engage with a locking recess constructed at the locking bridge portion of the elastic arm. For smooth elastic element assembly, the locking protrusion can have a guide slope that works in conjunction with the outwardly resting entry sidewall (Anlaufflanke, sometimes also called the starting sidewall) of the locking bridge portion during elastic element assembly.

[0015] In the assembly of the elastic element, the elastic element base is first brought into contact with the functional component inserted into the assembly frame. Then, the elastic arm of the elastic element, with its locking bridging portion, is pressed into the locking gap between the shielding element and the assembly leg of the assembly frame. This is achieved by creating an elastic force acting on the functional component. During the assembly of the elastic element, the approach sidewall of the locking bridging portion is guided along the guide slope of the locking protrusion, i.e., in the case of elastic deformation of the locking bridging portion. After overcoming the locking protrusion, the locking bridging portion springs back towards its undeformed state, and the locking recess in the locking bridging portion engages with the locking protrusion of the assembly leg.

[0016] The fixing components of the functional parts are preferably spaced apart from the vehicle body structure by a free distance, i.e., unconnected to the body structure. The final position stop can be achieved by means of a frame-type functional part shield. This functional part shield, viewed in cross-section, may have supporting legs that, in the assembled position, support the roof on the viewing side of the roof opening edge region. The supporting legs of the functional part shield can transition into locking legs angled to them at an internal transition edge. In the assembled state, these locking legs engage with locking profiles constructed on the inner side of the mounting legs. The supporting legs of the functional part shield may extend inward beyond the locking legs with a protrusion. In this way, the protrusion forms the final position stop for the functional part. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] in:

[0019] Figure 1 The side view shows a dual-rail vehicle with a partial cross-section, which shows the reading light in its mounting position;

[0020] Figure 2 It shows along Figure 1 An enlarged sectional view of the cutting plane AA in the diagram;

[0021] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The intermediate assembly positions are shown respectively. Figure 3 ) and in the final assembly position ( Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the fixing components of the reading lamp; and

[0022] Figure 5 The fixed components are shown in the view from above. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Figure 1 The side view of the vehicle shows a dual-rail vehicle, whose interior space 1 is limited upwards by a canopy 3. In the front seating area, a side reading light 5 is mounted in the canopy 3 approximately above the door opening on the side of the vehicle. This reading light 5 is secured to the canopy 3 by means of a fixing assembly 7, which is then... Figures 3 to 5 Description. Therefore, the fixing component 7 has an assembly frame 9 connected to the canopy back side 11 (e.g., by adhesive). The assembly frame 9 has an external connecting flange 13 in cross-section that is adhesively bonded to the canopy back side 11, which transitions at an internal transition edge into a mounting leg 17 projecting from it. The mounting leg 17 of the assembly frame 9 restricts the assembly, and the functional component 5 is placed during the installation process S( Figure 3The reading light shield 23 is inserted into the assembly towards the vehicle interior space 1, i.e., until it abuts against the final position stop 21 molded on the reading light shield 23. The reading light shield 23 is frame-like and, in cross-section, has supporting legs 25 that rest on the roof viewing side 27 of the roof opening 29 at the opening edge region. The supporting legs 25 transition at the inner transition edge to a locking leg 33 angled thereto, which locks in... Figure 3 and Figure 4 The locking profile 35 is engaged with the locking profile 17 at the mounting leg 17 of the mounting frame 9 on the inner side.

[0024] according to Figure 3 The supporting leg 25 of the reading light shield 23 extends inward beyond the locking leg 33 and has a protrusion that forms the final position stop 21.

[0025] To reliably position the reading lamp 5 at the final position stop 21, the fixing assembly 7 has an elastic element 37, which uses an elastic force F to pre-tension the reading lamp 5 towards the final position stop 21. The elastic element 37 can be a sheet metal component made by sheet metal forming. Figures 2 to 5 In the middle, the elastic element 37 has a base 39, which partially covers the assembly of the mounting frame 9 and uses an elastic force F to press the reading lamp 5 against the final position stop 21. Figure 5 In the middle, the elastic element base 39 extends laterally upward and outward with a total of four spaced-apart elastic arms 41. Each elastic arm 41 transitions into a locking bridge portion 43 at an angle thereto, which outerly surrounds the mounting leg 17 of the mounting frame 9. The locking bridge portion 43 is in the final assembly position ( Figure 4 It engages with the locking protrusion 45 molded on the outer side of the mounting leg 17. Conversely, in Figure 3 Neutralization Figure 4 The image shows an intermediate assembly position in which the elastic element 37 contacts the guide tilt 57 of the locking protrusion 45 constructed on the assembly leg 17 with its approach tilt 55.

[0026] according to Figure 2 The fixing component 7 is spaced apart from the roof frame side component 47 on the vehicle body side by a free distance a, that is, it is not connected to the roof frame side component 47. A head airbag 49 is fixed to the roof frame side component 47. When the head airbag is activated, the deployed head airbag 49 (in...) Figure 2 (As indicated by the dashed line) The roof 3 is pressed against the vehicle in the unfolding direction E, causing the roof to swing out into the vehicle interior space 1 upon lateral deformation. As a result, the head airbag 49 can unfold downwards into the vehicle interior space 1 in the vehicle height direction z.

[0027] To ensure a smooth, uninterrupted deployment process, the fixing assembly 7 is equipped with shielding elements 51 that support the reliable deployment of the head airbag 49. Each shielding element 51 is spaced from the mounting legs 17 of the mounting frame 9 via a locking gap 53. The locking gaps 53 are sized to allow for smooth, uninterrupted assembly of the resilient elements. Figures 2 to 4 In this configuration, the shielding element 51 is positioned only on the side facing the head airbag 49. Conversely, for example, in... Figure 5 The shielding element 51 is positioned both on the side facing the head airbag 49 and on the side away from the head airbag 49.

[0028] To assemble the elastic element, the elastic element base 39 is first brought into contact with the reading lamp 5 inserted into the assembly body of the assembly frame 9. Then, the elastic arm 41 of the elastic element 37 is pressed into the locking gap 53 between the shielding element 51 and the assembly leg 17 of the assembly frame 9 by its corresponding locking bridge 43, that is, under the condition of constructing the elastic force F acting on the reading lamp 5.

[0029] During the assembly of the elastic element, the entry sidewall 55 of the corresponding locking bridge portion 43 is guided along the guide inclined portion 57 of the locking protrusion 45, that is, when the locking bridge portion 43 elastically deforms outward. After overcoming the locking protrusion 45, the locking bridge portion 43 springs back to the undeformed state, and the locking recess 59 of the locking bridge portion 43 locks into contact with the locking protrusion 45 of the mounting leg 17.

[0030] List of reference numerals

[0031] 1. Vehicle interior space

[0032] 2. Canopy

[0033] 5 Functional Components

[0034] 7 Fixing components

[0035] 9. Assembly Frame

[0036] 11. Canopy back side

[0037] 13 Connecting flange

[0038] 17. Assemble the side legs

[0039] 21 Final position stop

[0040] 23 Reading light shield

[0041] 25 Supporting side legs

[0042] 27. Canopy view side

[0043] 29. Canopy opening

[0044] 33 Locking Legs

[0045] 35. Lock outline

[0046] 37. Elastic element

[0047] 39 Elastic element matrix

[0048] 41 Flexible Arm

[0049] 43 Locking Bridge

[0050] 45 Locking protrusion

[0051] 47. Roof frame side components

[0052] 49. Head airbags

[0053] 51 Shielding Components

[0054] 53 Locking gap

[0055] 55. Entrance side wall

[0056] 57. Guide tilting section

[0057] 59 Locking recess

[0058] E Deployment Direction

[0059] F Elastic force

[0060] a Free spacing

[0061] S placement process.

Claims

1. A vehicle having a head airbag (49) fixedly mounted on the vehicle body, the head airbag being covered in an invisible manner by a canopy (3), the canopy having a canopy opening (29) for a functional component (5), wherein, A fixing assembly (7) is provided on the roof back side (11) away from the vehicle interior space (1), the functional component (5) being fastened by means of the fixing assembly, wherein the fixing assembly (7) is equipped with at least one shielding element (51) arranged between the head airbag (49) and the fixing assembly (7) in the head airbag deployment direction (E), so that when the airbag is deployed, the area of ​​the fixing assembly (7) with an interfering profile is shielded relative to the deployed head airbag (49), wherein the fixing assembly (7) has a mounting frame (9) connected to the roof back side (11) and / or frame-like surrounding the roof opening (29) and the functional component (5), and the functional component (5) is fastened to the mounting frame (9) by means of an elastic element (37), and the area with an interfering profile shielded by the shielding element (51) is constructed at the elastic element (37).

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The functional component (5) is a reading light.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The assembly frame (9) has an external connecting flange (13) in cross-section that connects to the roof back side (11). The connecting flange transitions at an internal transition edge into an assembly leg (17) protruding from it. The assembly leg (17) of the assembly frame (9) restricts the assembly. The functional component (5) can be inserted into the assembly in the direction of the vehicle interior space (1) during the placement process (S), i.e., until it abuts against the final position stop (21). For positional stop, the elastic element (37) uses elastic force (F) to pretension the functional component (5) in the direction of the final position stop (21).

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that, The elastic element (37) has a base (39) that at least partially covers the assembly of the assembly frame (9) and / or uses the elastic force (F) to press the functional component (5) against the final position stop (21).

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The base (39) of the elastic element extends laterally and outward with at least one elastic arm (41), the at least one elastic arm transitioning into a locking bridge portion (43) at an angle thereto, and the locking bridge portion (43) of the elastic arm (41) overlaps the mounting leg (17) on the outside and / or engages with a locking profile (45) constructed on the outside of the mounting leg (17), and / or the elastic arm (41) of the elastic element (37) forms the area with the interference profile shielded by the shielding element (51).

6. The vehicle according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The shielding element (51) is molded as a protective rib material in a consistent and one-piece manner on the assembly frame (9), and / or the shielding element (51) is spaced apart from the locking profile (45) constructed on the outer side of the assembly leg (17) via a locking gap (53).

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, The shielding element (51) is molded as a protective rib material in a single piece at the connecting flange (13) of the assembly frame (9).

8. The vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, The shielding element (51) is spaced apart from the locking profile (45) on the outer side of the mounting leg (17) via a locking gap (53), thereby enabling the locking process of the elastic element (37) without interference with the profile.

9. The vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the locked state, the locking bridge portion (43) of the elastic element (37) is arranged in the locking gap (53) between the shielding element (51) and the mounting leg (17) of the mounting frame (9).

10. The vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that, The locking profile (45) at the mounting leg is an outwardly protruding locking protrusion that can engage with the locking recess (59) constructed at the locking bridge (43) of the elastic arm (41).

11. The vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that, The locking profile (45) has a guide tilt (57), which works in conjunction with the outwardly placed entry sidewall (55) of the locking bridge (43) when the elastic element is assembled.

12. The vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that, The shielding element (51) is spaced apart from the locking profile (45) constructed on the outer side of the mounting leg (17) via a locking gap (53), wherein, in order to assemble the elastic element, the base (39) of the elastic element is brought into contact with the functional component (5) inserted into the mounting frame (9), and then the elastic arm (41) of the elastic element (37) is pressed into the locking gap (53) between the shielding element (51) and the mounting leg (17) of the mounting frame (9) with its locking bridge (43), that is, in the case of constructing an elastic force (F) acting on the functional component (5).

13. The vehicle according to claim 12, characterized in that, During the assembly of the elastic element, the entry sidewall (55) of the locking bridge (43) is guided along the guide slope (57) of the locking protrusion (45). That is, when the locking bridge (43) is elastically deformed, and after overcoming the locking protrusion (45), the locking bridge (43) springs back to the undeformed state, and the locking recess (59) of the locking bridge (43) locks into contact with the locking protrusion (45) of the assembly leg (17).

14. The vehicle according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The final position stop (21) is constructed in a frame-type functional component shield (23), and the functional component shield (23) has a supporting leg (25) in cross-section, which is supported on the canopy sight line side (27) on the opening edge region of the canopy opening (29).

15. The vehicle according to claim 14, characterized in that, The supporting leg (25) transitions at the inner transition edge into the locking leg (33) at an angle thereto, the locking leg engaging with the locking profile (35) constructed on the inner side at the mounting leg (17).

16. The vehicle according to claim 15, characterized in that, The supporting leg (25) of the functional component shield (23) extends inward beyond the locking leg (33) and has a protrusion, and the protrusion forms the final position stop (21).

17. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The elastic element (37) is a sheet metal component with sharp cutting edges, which is manufactured by sheet metal forming.

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