Side airbag device for motor vehicle and side airbag device operating method

Abstract

The invention relates to a side airbag device (12) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising at least one airbag (14), into which gas is introduced by means of a gas generator (16) of the side airbag device (12) in the event of a collision, and comprising an exhaust valve (18, 20) for exhausting gas immediately after the collision, wherein the side airbag device (12) comprises an electronic computing device (22) and a further exhaust valve (24) and / or a further gas generator, wherein an occupant (28) of the motor vehicle (10) is detected by means of a detection device (26) of the side airbag device (12), wherein the side airbag device (12) is inflated in the event of a collision in order to protect the occupant (28), and the electronic computing device (22) is designed to determine the gas pressure in the airbag (14) before the collision by controlling the further exhaust valve (24) and / or the further gas generator as a function of the detected occupant (28) and to adapt the gas pressure to the occupant (28) in the event of a collision. The invention also relates to a method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a side airbag device for a motor vehicle having at least one airbag and also to a method for operating the side airbag device. Background Art

[0002] Side airbag arrangements, which can also be simply referred to as side airbags, are already known from the prior art. They are, for example, accommodated in corresponding seats of a motor vehicle and can be inflated in the event of a collision, thereby protecting the occupants in the event of a side impact of the motor vehicle. It is also known that different occupants, such as adults and children, can be located in a motor vehicle, which places different demands on the side airbags.

[0003] DE 10 2009 016 606 A1 relates to a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle with a backrest, on which a side airbag is arranged, which has a first side wall facing the passenger and a second side wall facing the vehicle outer side, wherein the side airbag is arranged on the side of the backrest pointing to the vehicle outer side, and wherein the side airbag has a first ventilation opening in one of the two side walls, which is at least throttled when it is against an object. In order to adapt the internal pressure of the airbag to the weight of the passenger, the vehicle seat can be raised and lowered, and the first ventilation opening is arranged in the second side wall.

[0004] DE 10 2015 005 482 A1 describes an airbag with an adaptive ventilation device. In this case, the airbag shell of the airbag has at least one ventilation opening. In addition, a tension piece assigned to the ventilation opening and a cover arranged outside the airbag shell and assigned to the ventilation opening are provided, wherein a first end of the tension piece is permanently connected to the airbag shell or is detachably or separably connected to a retaining element, a second end of the tension piece is permanently connected to the cover, and wherein, when the tension piece is tensioned, the cover throttles the ventilation opening to a greater extent than when the tension piece is not tensioned. In order to improve the reproducibility of the airbag behavior, the cover is connected to the airbag shell around the ventilation opening by a connecting mechanism, so that the geometric surface of the airbag shell surrounded by the connecting mechanism has a first area. In this case, the geometric surface of the cover surrounded by the connecting mechanism has a second area that is greater than the first area. In addition, the cover has at least one flow opening. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a side airbag device and a method by means of which an improved adjustment of the air pressure in the airbag can be achieved.

[0006] This task is accomplished by the following side airbag device and method.

[0007] One aspect of the invention relates to a side airbag device for a motor vehicle, which has at least one airbag into which gas is supplied by a gas generator of the side airbag device during a collision, and has a discharge valve for discharging the gas immediately after the collision.

[0008] It is provided that the side airbag device has an electronic computing device and a further exhaust valve and / or a further gas generator, wherein a motor vehicle occupant is detected by means of a detection device of the side airbag device, wherein the side airbag device is inflated in the event of a collision to protect the occupant, and the electronic computing device is designed to determine the air pressure in the airbag caused by controlling the further exhaust valve and / or the further gas generator in time before the collision based on the detected person and to adapt the air pressure to the occupant in the event of a collision.

[0009] Therefore, in particular, an adaptive exhaust opening is provided at the side airbag, in particular at the side airbag device, which is activated depending on the passenger or occupant, so that the pressure in the side airbag device can be controlled in particular in the event of a side impact. For example, if a child is a passenger, another exhaust valve can be activated, for example by means of an initiator. In contrast, if an adult is a passenger, the other exhaust valve remains closed.

[0010] In the embodiment of the gas generator, for example, another gas generator or a two-stage gas generator can be proposed. In the first stage of the gas generator, the side airbag device is deployed and positioned regardless of the passenger situation. Then, the second stage can be detonated depending on the passenger. For example, if the passenger is a child, the second gas generator or the two-stage gas generator is not detonated, but if the passenger is an adult, the second stage can be detonated.

[0011] The side airbag arrangement according to the invention with an adaptive exhaust opening or another exhaust valve is thereby improved for all occupants, in particular for global use.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment, the electronic calculation device is designed to determine the air pressure as a function of the passenger's body shape and / or passenger weight. For example, the detection means can be designed as a camera or a seat occupancy sensor and determine the body shape or weight.

[0013] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the electronic computing device is designed to additionally regulate the air pressure in the airbag as a function of the intensity of the collision.

[0014] It is also advantageous if the further exhaust valve has at least three opening positions, wherein the first opening position is fully open, the second opening position is partially open and the third opening position describes a closed state, and one of the opening positions is actuated in the event of a crash depending on the control signal of the electronic computing device.

[0015] It is also advantageous if, in order to produce the at least three open positions, the further exhaust valve has at least one cover which is moved as a function of the control signal.

[0016] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a side airbag device for a motor vehicle, wherein in the event of a collision, gas is introduced into the airbag of the side airbag device by means of a gas generator of the side airbag device, and wherein the gas is discharged immediately after the collision by means of a discharge valve. It is provided that the side airbag device has an electronic calculation device and another discharge valve and / or another gas generator, wherein an occupant of the motor vehicle is detected by means of a detection device of the side airbag device, wherein the side airbag device is inflated in the event of a collision to protect the occupant, and the electronic calculation device determines the air pressure in the airbag caused by controlling another discharge valve of another gas generator before the collision based on the detected person and adapts the air pressure in the event of a collision of the occupant.

[0017] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a motor vehicle having a side airbag device. The motor vehicle is particularly designed as a passenger car.

[0018] Advantageous embodiments of the side airbag device are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the motor vehicle and the method. The side airbag device and the motor vehicle have corresponding subject features to enable the method and its advantageous embodiments to be carried out.

[0019] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and in conjunction with the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description and the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the drawings and / or shown individually in the single figure may be used not only in the respectively indicated combination, but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Here, the single FIGURE shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle having an embodiment of a side airbag device.

[0021] In the figures, identical or functionally identical components are provided with the same reference symbols. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The figure shows a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle 10 having a side airbag device 12. The side airbag device 12 has an airbag 14, into which gas is fed in the event of a collision by means of a gas generator 16 of the side airbag device 12, and also has exhaust valves 18, 20, in particular two exhaust valves 18, 20, for exhausting gas immediately after the collision.

[0023] It is provided that the side airbag device 12 has an electronic computing device 22 and another exhaust valve 24 and / or another gas generator, wherein an occupant 28 of the motor vehicle 10 is detected by means of a detection device 26 of the side airbag device 12, wherein the side airbag device 12 is inflated to protect the occupant 28 during a collision, and the electronic computing device 22 is designed to determine the air pressure in the airbag 14 caused by controlling the other exhaust valve 24 and / or the other gas generator based on the detected occupant 28 before the collision and adapt the air pressure to the occupant 28 during the collision.

[0024] It can also be provided that the electronic computing device 22 is designed to determine the air pressure as a function of the size and / or weight of the passenger 28. The electronic computing device 22 can also be designed to additionally adjust the air pressure in the airbag 14 as a function of the severity of the collision.

[0025] It can also be provided that the further exhaust valve 24 has at least three opening positions, wherein a first opening position is completely open, a second opening position is partially open, and a third opening position represents a closed state, and one of the opening positions is activated in the event of a crash in accordance with a control signal from the electronic computing device 22. In order to generate the at least three opening positions, the further exhaust valve 24 can have at least one cover that is moved in accordance with the control signal.

[0026] It is therefore generally proposed that the pressure regulation is determined in advance before the collision and is adjusted depending on the size or weight of the passenger 28 or other person, so that in the event of a collision it is already known which pressure to set in the side airbag depending on the intensity of the collision. This is carried out in particular with the further exhaust valve 24 and / or the two-stage gas generator and / or the second gas generator.

[0027] In particular, the further exhaust valve 24, which can also be referred to as an adaptive valve, can then be closed, partially opened or completely opened in response to actuation. This can be done, for example, by a cover or other valve mechanism that can be moved back and forth accordingly.

[0028] In the alternative to the gas generator, a further exhaust valve 24 is then replaced or supplemented, so that the initial pressure can already be adjusted by the gas generator and can then also be relieved, for example, by an adaptive valve.

[0029] In particular, the further exhaust valve 24 is a further additional valve for regulating the air pressure, wherein the exhaust valves 18 , 20 in the side airbag are also functionally used for airbag decompression.

[0030] The side airbag device 12 therefore has an adaptive valve, which in particular can be controlled and thus adjusted. Alternatively or additionally, the side airbag device 12 has a second gas generator or a two-stage gas generator, so that the initial pressure level can be adjusted.

[0031] The present invention generally illustrates a side air bag having an adaptive pressure control mechanism.

[0032] Reference numerals list

[0033] 10 Motor Vehicles

[0034] 12 Side airbag system

[0035] 14 Airbag

[0036] 16 Gas Generator

[0037] 18 Exhaust valve

[0038] 20 Exhaust valve

[0039] 22 Electronic computing devices

[0040] 24 Another exhaust valve

[0041] 26 Testing Agency

[0042] 28 passengers.

Claims

1. A side airbag device (12) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising: an airbag (14) into which gas is fed in the event of a collision by means of a gas generator (16) of the side airbag device (12), and - exhaust valves (18, 20) for exhausting gases immediately after a collision, Its characteristics are: The side airbag device (12) has an electronic computing device (22) and another exhaust valve (24), wherein a passenger (28) of the motor vehicle (10) is detected by means of a detection device (26) of the side airbag device (12), wherein the side airbag device (12) is inflated in order to protect the passenger (28) in the event of a collision, and the electronic computing device (22) is designed to: determine the air pressure in the airbag (14) caused by controlling the other exhaust valve (24) based on the detected passenger (28) before the collision and adapt the air pressure to the passenger (28) in the event of a collision, wherein the other exhaust valve (24) has at least three opening positions, wherein the first opening position is fully open, the second opening position is partially open, and the third opening position describes a closed state, and one of the opening positions is driven in the event of a collision based on a control signal of the electronic computing device (22).

2. The side airbag device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electronic computing device (22) is designed to determine the air pressure based on the body shape of the passenger (28) and / or the weight of the passenger (28).

3. The side airbag device (12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The electronic computing device (22) is designed to also adjust the air pressure in the airbag (14) according to the intensity of the collision.

4. The side airbag device (12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In order to produce the at least three open positions, the further exhaust valve (24) has at least one cover which is moved in dependence on the control signal.

5. A method for operating a side airbag device (12) for a motor vehicle (10), wherein: In the event of a collision, gas is introduced into an airbag (14) of the side airbag device (12) by means of a gas generator (16) of the side airbag device (12), and the gas is discharged immediately after the collision by means of exhaust valves (18, 20), wherein the side airbag device (12) has an electronic computing device (22) and another exhaust valve (24), wherein a passenger (28) of the motor vehicle (10) is detected by means of a detection device (26) of the side airbag device (12), wherein the side airbag device (12) is used to protect the passenger (28) The invention relates to an air bag (14) which is inflated in the event of a collision, and an electronic computing device (22) determines the air pressure in the air bag (14) caused by controlling the other exhaust valve (24) based on the detected passenger (28) before the collision and adapts the air pressure to the passenger (28) in the event of a collision, wherein the other exhaust valve (24) has at least three opening positions, wherein the first opening position is fully open, the second opening position is partially open, and the third opening position describes a closed state, and one of the opening positions is driven in the event of a collision based on a control signal of the electronic computing device (22).

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