Airbag device for vehicle seat and vehicle seat having airbag device

Abstract

The invention relates to a kind of airbag device for vehicle seat, the airbag device includes :-at least one airbag module (1), wherein at least one airbag module (1) includes at least one airbag (2) and is designed for being attached to the backrest (10) and / or seat cushion (11) of vehicle seat, and- the grab tape mechanism (3) for airbag module (1), wherein grab tape mechanism (3) includes at least one grab tape device (4) attached to airbag (2), grab tape mechanism (3) is designed for being attached to vehicle seat.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] The invention relates to an airbag arrangement for a vehicle seat, comprising at least one airbag module comprising at least one airbag and designed for attachment to a backrest and / or a seat cushion of a vehicle seat, and comprising at least one grab strap mechanism for the airbag module, comprising at least one grab strap device attached to the airbag, which is designed for attachment to the backrest and / or the seat cushion of the vehicle seat. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle, comprising a backrest, a seat cushion and an airbag arrangement of this type.

[0003] Such a vehicle seat is known, for example, from US 2017 / 0259774 A1, in which the airbag module is provided on each of the mutually opposite sides of the backrest, the airbags of which are connected to a grab strap. The grab strap is designed to at least partially predetermine the deployment movement of the airbag being deployed upon triggering and to hold the airbag in a predetermined position in the deployed (inflated) state. However, once the grab strap is integrated in the vehicle seat with its fixed length, it is not possible to dynamically influence the deployment process and the arrangement of the airbag in the deployed state.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the invention to eliminate the disadvantages described with reference to the prior art and, in particular, to indicate an airbag arrangement and a vehicle seat comprising such an airbag arrangement by means of which the deployment process or the positioning of the airbag in the deployed state can be influenced.

[0005] This object is achieved by the airbag arrangement having the features of the independent claim. Advantageous refinements of the airbag arrangement are specified in the dependent claims and the description, individual features of the advantageous refinements being combinable with one another in a technically reasonable manner.

[0006] This object is achieved in particular by the airbag arrangement having the features mentioned at the outset, the grab strap mechanism comprising a tightening device for the grab strap device, the tightening device comprising a tightening element which can be accelerated in particular pyrotechnically and which is coupled to the grab strap device such that the tightening path of the airbag caused by the triggering of the tightening device corresponds to at least 1.5 times the path covered by the tightening element.

[0007] The airbag module can in particular comprise a housing which is shaped for attachment to the backrest or the seat cushion of the vehicle seat. An inflator can also be provided in or on the housing, which is in fluid connection with the airbag such that, upon triggering, the airbag is deployed by the gas generated by the inflator.

[0008] The belt grab device of the belt grab mechanism is preferably composed of only one textile element, such as a (grab) belt or cable, but can also be composed of multiple textile elements which are connected to one another or to the airbag. Each belt grab device is connected at one end to the airbag and can be attached at the other end to the vehicle seat, in particular to the backrest or the seat cushion, in particular fixedly thereto.

[0009] It is now provided that at least one belt grab device is coupled to a tightening device. The tightening device has at least one acceleratable tightening element which can be accelerated, for example, in an electromechanical or pyrotechnic manner. By actuating an electromechanical or pyrotechnic drive, the tightening process of the associated belt grab device can thus be triggered. In such a tightening process, in particular the end of the belt grab device which is connected to the airbag and moves with the airbag during the airbag deployment process is retracted, the result of which is that the deployment process or the position of the deployed airbag can be changed. The path length of the end of the belt grab device which is connected to the airbag (in the case of a tightened belt grab device) which is retracted during the tightening process, i.e. between the start and the end of the tightening, is therefore referred to as the tightening path. In contrast, the path covered by the tightening element corresponds to the path length covered by the tightening element during the tightening process, i.e. between the start and the end of the tightening. Since the belt grab device is coupled to the tightening element, the movement of the tightening element takes place simultaneously with the movement of the end of the belt grab device which is coupled to the airbag.

[0010] The invention now proposes that the tightening path corresponds to at least 1.5 times, preferably at least or exactly two times, particularly preferably at least or exactly three times, or even at least four times or exactly four times the path covered by the tightening element. Since the tightening path is thus much longer than the path covered by the tightening element, the tightening device can be designed substantially more compact, since the space for the linear movement of the tightening element, in particular, is less than the tightening path of the airbag. Alternatively, the tightening path can be increased while the path length covered by the tightening element remains unchanged.

[0011] The tightening device can in particular have a holder by means of which the tightening device can be fastened to the backrest of the vehicle seat, the holder extending in the installed state from the upper frame strut of the backrest to the rear side of the backrest. Not only the tightening element, including its pyrotechnic drive, can be fastened to the holder, but also other elements of the tightening device can be fastened to the holder. In particular, the holder can already comprise a fastening for the end of the belt grab device which is arranged in a fixed manner with respect to the vehicle seat in the installed state. Thus, the airbag device according to the invention comprises only two modules, wherein the airbag module and the belt grab mechanism are fastened to the holder, which two modules can be easily attached to the vehicle seat during assembly, the two modules being connected to one another via the belt grab device.

[0012] In one embodiment, it can be provided that the end of the belt-in device that can be fastened to the vehicle seat can be fixed immovably to the vehicle seat and that the tightening element can be moved relative to the belt-in device during the tightening process. Thus, the entire belt-in device is not moved by the tightening element, but rather the belt-in device that is tightened by the unwinding process is at least partially displaced relative to the fixed point on the vehicle seat. Depending on the (forced) guidance of the belt-in device between the tightening element and the end attached to the airbag, a greater tightening path than the path length covered by the tightening element can thus be produced. In this case, a pulley-like device of the belt-in device can be formed by the arrangement of the (forced) guide, so that the tightening path is longer than the path covered by the tightening element. In this case, the movement of the tightening element takes place particularly transversely to the part of the belt-in device in the initial position. In this case, the tightening element can act simultaneously on one, two or more parts of the belt-in device.

[0013] The tightening element is thus an element that acts on the belt-in device during the tightening movement and is driven by the drive, by triggering the drive of the tightening device, the tightening element is accelerated particularly transversely to the direction of extension of the belt-in device. The tightening element can comprise, for example, an eyelet through which the belt-in device is guided.

[0014] The belt-in mechanism can have a first guide element for the belt-in device, which is particularly arranged on the holder, so that the belt-in device is forced to be guided between the tightening element and the airbag by means of the first guide element.

[0015] At this point, it is particularly provided that, on the one hand, the end of the belt-in device can be fixed to the vehicle seat (and particularly to the holder) directly adjacent to the tightening element in its initial position (i.e. particularly less than 5 cm, or even less than 2 cm) and, on the other hand, the first guide element is likewise arranged directly adjacent to the tightening element in its initial position (particularly within 5 cm, preferably within 2 cm). Thus, the fixed end of the belt-in device and the first guide element are preferably at most 10 cm apart from each other, particularly preferably at most 5 cm apart from each other, when the tightening element is arranged between the fixed end and the first guide element, the tightening path corresponds to almost twice the path covered by the tightening element.

[0016] In one embodiment, it can be provided that the tightening element of the tightening device can be accelerated linearly, the tightening device preferably being attachable or attached to the backrest of the vehicle seat, particularly via the holder, so that the tightening element covers a linear path during the tightening movement in the direction of the side frame, particularly of the backrest. If an unforeseen malfunction occurs and the tightening element cannot be stopped after the intended tightening movement, this will hit the frame and thus not cause any further damage.

[0017] Thus, the tightening element preferably performs a linear movement between its initial position and its position at the end of the tightening process.

[0018] In particular in this case, it can be provided that the tightening device can be attached to the rear side of the backrest, the strap guide comprising a second guide element for the strap device, which can be attached to the upper side of the backrest, in particular by means of a holder, such that the strap device is deflected in the initial position from the rear side of the backrest towards the airbag module arranged on one side of the backrest. Thus, in this embodiment, the strap device extends in particular from its fixed end arranged on the rear side of the backrest along the tightening element, via the first guide element, via the second guide element and then on the upper side of the backrest to the airbag module on one side of the backrest. The forced guidance of the strap device is also predetermined during the airbag deployment, such that the orientation of the portion of the strap device between the second guide element and the end fastened to the airbag changes during the deployment, the tightening process reducing the length of the portion of the strap device between the second guide element and the end fastened to the airbag.

[0019] The second guide element of the strap guide can in particular be designed by means of the embodiment of its surface structure in contact with the strap device, such that the strap device can be moved by the second guide element in the tightening direction and is inhibited or prevented from moving in the direction opposite to the tightening direction. Thus, at the end of the tightening process, the tightening position is not only held by the tightening element, but also by the second guide element. In this case, the second guide element can form a kind of channel for the strap device, in particular the cable, the surface structure defining the channel being designed such that the strap device is only movable in one direction without a greater resistance.

[0020] In one preferred embodiment, the airbag device comprises two airbag modules, which can be arranged on two opposite sides of the backrest. In this case, the strap guide can be associated with each airbag module, it can be provided that the drive, the driven tightening element and the guide of the second strap guide are also fastened to one holder.

[0021] The application and the technical background are explained below by way of example with reference to the drawings. The drawings show schematically

[0022] Figure 1 : rear view of a vehicle seat,

[0023] Figure 2 : perspective view of the rear side of a vehicle seat,

[0024] Figure 3 : perspective view with deployed airbag before tightening process,

[0025] Figure 4 perspective view after the tightening process,

[0026] Figure 5 rear view after the tightening process,

[0027] Figure 6 front perspective view with the occupant having the airbags already deployed before the tightening process,

[0028] Figure 7 view according to Figure 6 after the tightening process,

[0029] Figure 8 detail view of the guide elements, and

[0030] Figure 9 embodiment of a vehicle seat with only one airbag module.

[0031] Figures 1 to 8 The airbag arrangement shown is fastened to the backrest 10 of a vehicle seat. The airbag arrangement comprises two airbag modules 1 which are arranged on the outside of the side frames of the backrest 10 of the vehicle seat. In each airbag module 1 an airbag 2 in the folded state is arranged in a housing.

[0032] The airbag arrangement further comprises two grab strap mechanisms 3, each of which comprises a grab strap device 4 which is designed as a cable. Each grab strap device 4 is fastened at one end to the airbag 2 and at the other end to a holder 9. Starting from the fastening on the holder 9, the grab strap device is guided by a tightening element 6, a first guide element 7 and a second guide element 8, which are also arranged on the holder 9. The tightening element 6 is connected to a pyrotechnic drive 12. The tightening element 6 can be accelerated linearly in the direction of the side frames of the backrest 10 by the pyrotechnic drive 12.

[0033] Figure 3 and Figure 6 The deployed state of the airbags 2 is shown, which is the state in which the airbags assume after the associated inflator has been ignited. In this state, the airbags 2 are arranged in front of the shoulders of the occupant. In particular, as can be seen from the perspective of the occupant, the airbags 2 are arranged in front of the occupant's head. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7It can be seen that the associated tightening element 6 can be accelerated by triggering the pyrotechnic drive 12, as a result of which the end of the grab strap device 4 connected to the associated airbag 2 is pulled in the direction of the backrest 10 and thus onto the shoulder of the occupant. In this case, the grab strap device 4 is pulled through the first guide element 7 and the second guide element 8, while the other end of the grab strap device 4 is held in a fixed manner on the holder 9. Due to this guidance of the grab strap device 4, the tightening path covered by the airbag 2 is greater than the path covered by the tightening element 6.

[0034] It can be seen from Figure 8 that the second guide device 8 is designed in such a way that the grab strap device 4 can be moved in the tightening direction by the second guide element 8 due to its surface structure (a plurality of ribs arranged one after the other obliquely) in contact with the grab strap device 4, while a movement of the grab strap device 4 in the opposite direction is prohibited or prevented.

[0035] Figure 9 An embodiment of the airbag device is shown, which comprises only one airbag module 1 and thus also only one grab strap mechanism 3. In the event of triggering, the associated airbag 2 is deployed in front of the occupant's chest and can be moved towards the occupant by means of the grab strap device 4.

[0036] List of reference signs

[0037] 1 airbag module

[0038] 2 airbag

[0039] 3 grab strap mechanism

[0040] 4 grab strap device

[0041] 5 tightening device

[0042] 6 tightening element

[0043] 7 first guide element

[0044] 8 second guide element

[0045] 9 holder

[0046] 10 backrest

[0047] 11 seat cushion

[0048] 12 pyrotechnic drive

Claims

1. An airbag arrangement for a vehicle seat, the airbag arrangement comprising: - at least one airbag module (1) comprising at least one airbag (2) and being designed for attachment to the vehicle seat, and - at least one strap mechanism (3) for the airbag module (1), the strap mechanism (3) comprising at least one strap device (4) attached to the airbag (2) and being designed for attachment to the vehicle seat, characterized in that the strap mechanism (3) comprises a tightening device (5) for the strap device (4), the tightening device (5) comprising a tightening element (6) which can be accelerated pyrotechnically and which is coupled to the strap device (4) in such a way that the tightening path of the airbag (2) caused by the triggering of the tightening device (5) corresponds to at least 1.5 times the path covered by the tightening element (6), wherein the strap mechanism (3) comprises: a first guide element (7) configured for guiding the strap device (4); a second guide element (8) configured for guiding the strap device (4); the first guide element (7) is configured to guide the strap device (4) in a first direction between a fixed end of the strap device (4) and the second guide element (8); the second guide element (8) is configured to guide the strap device (4) in a second direction between the first guide element (7) and a distal end of the strap device (4) in such a way that the strap device (4) can be moved in a tightening direction by the second guide element (8) and is inhibited or prevented from moving in a direction opposite to the tightening direction.

2. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein an end of the strap device (4) which can be fastened to the vehicle seat can be fixed immovably to the vehicle seat and the tightening element (6) can be moved towards the strap device (4) during the tightening.

3. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the strap mechanism (3) has a first guide element (7) for the strap device (4), wherein the first guide element (7) is arranged in such a way that the strap device (4) is forced to be guided between the tightening element (6) and the airbag (2) by means of the first guide element (7).

4. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the end of the strap device (4) can be fixed to the vehicle seat directly adjacent to the tightening element (6) in its initial position and the first guide element (7) is arranged directly adjacent to the tightening element (6) in its initial position.

5. The airbag arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the tightening element (6) of the tightening device (5) can be accelerated linearly and can be attached to a backrest (10) of the vehicle seat, such that the tightening element (6) covers a linear path in the direction of a side frame of the backrest (10).

6. The airbag arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the tightening device (5) can be attached to a rear side of the backrest (10), and wherein the grab strap mechanism (3) comprises a second guide element (8) which can be attached to an upper side of the backrest (10), such that the grab strap device (4) is deflected in an initial position from the rear side of the backrest (10) towards the airbag module (1) arranged on a side of the backrest (10).

7. The airbag arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the tightening device (5) comprises a holder (9) by means of which the tightening device (5) can be fastened to the backrest (10), wherein the holder (9) extends in the installed state from an upper frame strut to a rear side of the backrest (10).

8. The airbag arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the airbag arrangement comprises two airbag modules (1) and the two airbag modules (1) can be arranged on opposite sides of the backrest (10), wherein a grab strap mechanism (3) is associated with each airbag module (1).

9. A vehicle seat for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a backrest (10), - a seat cushion (11), and - an airbag arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims.

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