Heel airbag for motor vehicle and motor vehicle having at least one heel airbag

Abstract

The invention relates to a heel airbag for a motor vehicle, comprising: a support element (2); an airbag module (7) arranged on the front side (12) of the carrier element (2); a cover (14) which is fastened to the carrier element (2) and covers the airbag module (7), the rear side (3) of the carrier element (2) having a three-dimensional form-fitting structure (4) for connection to a three-dimensional body structure (22) of the motor vehicle in the installed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heel airbag for a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In order to protect the occupants located in a motor vehicle, a plurality of different protection systems are used, such as airbags, which are arranged at different positions in the vehicle and have an inflatable and deployable airbag equipped with a gas generator. In the event of a collision, the gas generator is ignited, so that the airbag, i.e., the airbag, is deployed and extends around the occupant to be protected.

[0003] Modern motor vehicles are becoming increasingly automated and can already drive semi-autonomously and will be able to drive fully autonomously in the future. This has led to the fact that the occupants in the vehicle are less and less involved in the actual driving operation and can therefore devote their energy to other matters. Related to this is the ability to adjust the seat for the occupant to a position outside the normal position area of the vehicle seat in the case of manual driving. In such a comfort position, the seat usually moves significantly further back than normal, and the backrest can also be tilted back relatively gently, so that a reclined attitude position can be assumed. Of course, the protection system should also function effectively in such a position, that is to say, the protection function of the protection system needs to be designed not only in relation to the manual driving operation and the occupant position area, but also in relation to the position area that can be occupied by extreme seat adjustment. For this purpose, for example, a restraint system including a heel airbag is known from DE 10 2018 118 903A1. Such a heel airbag is arranged in the footwell of the driver or front passenger who can sit on a seat that can be adjusted quite far. In the event of a collision, the heel airbag is ignited, so that the airbag is deployed. As a result, the heel impact point, i.e., the position where the heel and thus the foot are supported against the vehicle body in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is displaced. In the case where there is no such displacement of the heel impact point in the direction opposite to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, i.e., towards the rear, the occupant only then supports towards the front of the vehicle, that is to say, the displacement towards the rear allows for early support, which, for example, prevents a somewhat reclined occupant from passing through the lap belt. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an improved heel airbag that can be simply installed on the vehicle side.

[0005] To solve this problem, the present invention provides a heel airbag for a motor vehicle, which has: a bearing element; an airbag module arranged on the front side of the bearing element; a cover part fastened to the bearing element and covering the airbag module, wherein the back side of the bearing element has a three-dimensional positive-locking structure for connection to the three-dimensional body structure of the motor vehicle in the installation position.

[0006] The heel airbag according to the present invention is a unit composed of several parts, which includes: a bearing element; an airbag module; a cover part fastened to the bearing element and protecting the airbag module, so that the airbag module is arranged in a sandwich-like manner between the bearing element and the cover part. The bearing element is provided with a three-dimensional positive-locking structure on its back side facing away from the airbag module. This three-dimensional positive-locking structure is the negative mold of the three-dimensional body structure, that is, the body geometry, on which the heel airbag can be positioned and installed. The body structure in this area can, for example, have one or more grooves or ribs, etc., that is, a structure different from a plane in terms of geometry. The positive-locking structure of the bearing element is the negative mold of this three-dimensional body structure, which results in the bearing element and thus the heel airbag being positively locked to the three-dimensional body structure in a simple manner during the installation process. Therefore, the positive-locking structure is positively locked and, if necessary, force-locked into the body structure, so that the heel airbag is placed in its position through this engagement. Therefore, the heel airbag is connected to the vehicle body or positioned on the vehicle body stably enough without additional special connecting parts. Alternatively or additionally, of course, there is the following feasible solution, that is, the bearing element is clamped to the vehicle structure. The positive-locking structure is not necessarily required in this case, however, the two fixing variants can also be realized together.

[0007] Therefore, the heel airbag can only be positively locked to the corresponding body position during the installation process. This enables the heel airbag to be arranged on the vehicle body very quickly and simply, yet at the same time stably enough, without the need for various special connecting parts or fixing parts, such as fixing bolts, fixing clips, locking elements, etc.

[0008] The bearing element itself is preferably a foam element, that is, it is made of foam plastic. This is appropriate for various reasons. On the one hand, the necessary, occasionally even more complex three-dimensional positive-locking structure can be easily formed on the back side of the bearing element with a suitable shape. Of course, if necessary, the corresponding receiving geometry is also provided for arranging the airbag module to be positioned on the front side and, if necessary, the cover part. On the other hand, the foam element can also provide a damping function, that is, the foam element is a passive cushion that helps to protect the occupant in the standard position.

[0009] As described, the airbag module is covered by a cover part, and the airbag module is protected by this cover part. This cover part is preferably a plastic film, which is dimensioned accordingly so that the airbag module is completely covered. Welding into the plastic film can also be considered. Since the airbag module is also a flat structural component after the airbag is folded in the initial position, a flat structure is formed, including, for example, a relatively thin load-bearing element having a rectangular basic shape; a flat, yet planar, airbag module; and a likewise planar cover part or plastic film. Therefore, a flat integral unit is involved, and thus it can be integrated into the footwell without any problem and without reducing the footwell dimensions in any adverse way. The airbag module can have a housing with an airbag, which is, for example, received in a folded manner in the housing integrated into the load-bearing element. It can be considered that instead of a plastic film, a fabric, non-woven fabric, etc. can also be applied. The airbag module can be fixed to the load-bearing element by the cover part. Alternatively, the airbag module can be fastened to the carpet or the vehicle body.

[0010] The cover part itself can be fastened to the load-bearing element or the foam element in different ways, and the cover part detaches from the load-bearing element on which it is fixed in the event of airbag ignition. For this, multiple threaded connections, riveted connections or locking connections, or adhesive connections or clamping connections or overlapping flanges can be considered. The correspondingly selected connection method or the number of possible local connection positions is selected such that a sufficiently stable unit encapsulated by the cover part is formed during "normal operation", however, in the event of airbag ignition, the cover part can be separated from the load-bearing element without any problem.

[0011] For fastening the cover part, it is suitable that the cover part is connected to the load-bearing element along at least two mutually opposed side edges, and the cover part laterally covers the load-bearing element by means of these side edges. Therefore, the cover part surrounds the load-bearing element on two opposed sides, for example, on the left side and on the right side. The corresponding connections are located in this side area, for example, in the form of simple plastic rivets provided there, which are plastic welded to the load-bearing element in the form of a foam body. Alternatively, a fabric or film can also be wound or a heat-shrinkable sleeve can be shrunk.

[0012] In an improved embodiment of the present invention, it can be considered that the cover part is equipped with a sensor film for determining / detecting damage to the cover part. As described above, the heel airbag is located in the installation position in the footwell, that is to say, the heel airbag permanently bears a certain load caused by the feet of the person located in the footwell. In this installation position, the heel airbag is covered by a carpet laid on the vehicle floor or the body floor, and the feet of the person rest on this carpet. However, corresponding loads are applied to the cover part through foot movements or, if necessary, also through support. If the cover part is provided with a sensor film, through which, for example, tears or wear of the cover part can be identified, this information (which is of course sent to the associated control device that controls the heel airbag) can be processed accordingly, and the user can be informed of the necessary replacement, etc.

[0013] The airbag module itself has a gas generator for its function, and the gas generator is designed to be as small as possible or its geometry is designed such that the gas generator can be integrated accordingly without problems. Preferably, the gas generator is located in the upper half, especially the upper third, of the airbag module relative to the installation position. This can ensure that when, for example, a certain amount of moisture is introduced into the footwell in wet conditions or in winter through shoes, the gas generator is protected against moisture. However, in this somewhat upper position, the gas generator can also be well protected against impacts and vibrations. If necessary, the gas generator can also be arranged adjacent to the lower part of the upper half or can also be arranged in the lower half. The filling of the gas generator is achieved by a gas spray gun or an external generator.

[0014] In addition to the heel airbag itself, the present invention also relates to a motor vehicle including a vehicle body and at least one heel airbag of the aforementioned type, and the at least one heel airbag is positively connected to the vehicle body structure in a form-locking manner. Of course, the motor vehicle according to the present invention preferably has such a heel airbag not only in the driver's footwell but also in the front passenger's footwell, or, if the motor vehicle is a vehicle of a correspondingly larger size, in all footwells that are equipped with correspondingly adjustable seats, and the displacement of the heel impact point that can be achieved by means of the heel airbag according to the present invention in these footwells contributes to the protection purpose.

[0015] In an improved embodiment of the present invention, it can be provided that the heel airbag is covered by a carpet which is not connected to the heel airbag. Such a carpet is laid on the inner floor panel as described. The carpet also covers the heel airbag, that is to say, the heel airbag is not visible. However, after the carpet is lifted together in the case of airbag deployment, the carpet is not connected to the heel airbag, so that ultimately due to the increase in the volume limit of the airbag in the deployed state, the carpet moves relative to the heel airbag. Alternatively, the heel airbag can also be connected to the carpet.

[0016] As described, by means of such a heel airbag, a displacement or slip of the heel support point, i.e. the heel fulcrum, relative to the vehicle body can be achieved. The heel support point is located at the transition between the horizontal floor area of the footwell and the vehicle body area which usually extends obliquely upwards. Due to the ignition of the airbag, such an inclined support surface is formed by the airbag with a corresponding geometry, which extends obliquely relative to the horizontal floor surface like the original vehicle body wall, so that a heel fulcrum which is displaced to some extent in the direction towards the rear of the vehicle is formed again in the transition area between the horizontal floor surface and the inclined support surface defined by the deployed airbag. It can be considered here that by means of the airbag, a support surface shape which does not correspond to the shape of the vehicle body wall, i.e. the front wall of the passenger compartment, can also be generated, and accordingly the heel fulcrum can be changed. In order to be able to clearly define the heel fulcrum, a suitable improvement proposes to form a hinge-like fold line on the carpet which extends adjacent to the lower end of the heel airbag. By means of this fold line, it is ensured that the carpet which is not connected to the heel airbag as described stands up in a defined manner around this fold line when the airbag is ignited. There is no uncontrolled movement of the carpet. Instead, a clear transition is formed between the horizontal carpet area which does not lean against the airbag and the supporting carpet area which leans against the airbag in a pedestal-like manner. Therefore, by means of this fold line or hinge line, the transition which defines the heel support point is formed correspondingly clearly. Alternatively, it can also be considered that the airbag is only used to fill the footwell and serves as a damping element, for example to avoid excessive bending of the ankle joint by the foot mat or the pedal, or to damp the movement. In this case, the heel fulcrum remains unchanged.

[0017] Here, a hinge-like fold line can also be formed on the carpet which extends adjacent to the upper end of the heel airbag. That is to say, in the area of the upper end of the deployed airbag, the carpet can also be bent around the defined fold line, so that in this area there is also no uncontrolled arching of the carpet. In particular, the upper end of the carpet is fixed accordingly and thus cannot whip into the footwell.

[0018] The carpet itself preferably has a carpet layer and a load-bearing layer, in particular a foam layer, applied beneath the carpet layer, wherein the load-bearing layer is not provided in the area where the carpet covers the airbag module. Thus, the carpet is a multi-layer formation. On the one hand, the carpet includes the carpet layer, mostly a corresponding woven or textile fabric, and on the other hand, it includes a load-bearing layer connected to the carpet layer, mostly a foam layer. This load-bearing layer is relatively stable, so that the carpet itself has a pre-given three-dimensional shape, in particular, the defined three-dimensional bottom plate shape is defined by the load-bearing layer, so that the carpet can be placed on the vehicle body floor as a more stable formation and is already fixedly arranged thereon. Usually, no separate bonding or other fastening means are carried out. However, the load-bearing layer is not provided in the area where the carpet covers the heel airbag, that is, only the carpet layer is provided in this area. Thus, a corresponding edge is formed at the following location, that is, where the load-bearing layer is removed and only the carpet layer is left. Now, this edge area can be used as the folding line in the aforementioned sense.

[0019] In addition to or instead of this, a strip defining the folding line can also be arranged on the carpet, and the strip is connected to the bottom structure. This strip (which can also be called a track or a guide) is, for example, placed on the carpet layer after the carpet is positioned and is, for example, screwed to the bottom structure, that is, the vehicle body, by means of connecting bolts. This can also define a corresponding clear and distinct folding line for the loose carpet layer, and of course, it can also be combined with the possible folding edge defined by the load-bearing layer.

[0020] Instead of this, it can also be considered that the carpet is fixed to the bottom structure by hook-shaped connecting parts. Corresponding locking hooks or the like can be provided on the lower side of the carpet layer or the load-bearing layer, which are locked into corresponding perforations in the bottom structure, that is, the vehicle body, so that corresponding fixation to the bottom structure is provided again, and the folding line can be defined here.

[0021] Finally, it can also be considered that a linear material recess defining the folding line is provided on the lower side of the load-bearing layer or the carpet layer. Here, for example, a corresponding longitudinally extending groove is introduced into the load-bearing layer, and this groove defines the folding line. In this case, the carpet area covering the heel airbag can also have a load-bearing layer, however, this load-bearing layer is correspondingly weakened at the folding line, so that finally only the carpet layer exists there, which can be easily bent around the folding line in the case of airbag ignition.

[0022] If the airbag deploys, the carpet displacement occurs as described, and the carpet is arched forward into the footwell. Carpet movement also occurs in the right and left regions here. To enable this lateral movement to a sufficient extent, the present invention also proposes that the carpet is covered on one or both longitudinal sides in the usual way by one or two trim elements, usually elongated plastic members, which are arranged on the one hand in the sill area and on the other hand in the area of the center console or formed by the center console itself. Here, the side sections of the carpet extend under the trim element in such a way that the side sections of the carpet can be pulled out from under the trim element in the case of airbag deployment. If the airbag is ignited, the carpet arches up in the footwell. To prevent this arching from being hindered by carpet tension, the design of the present invention allows for the dragging of one or more carpet side sections to a certain extent, which are pulled out from under one or more trim elements, so that the airbag can also be fully deployed in the lateral direction relative to the vehicle. Thus, the carpet is neither fastened nor clamped in any way on the sides, but the carpet can be pulled laterally under the action of the corresponding forces caused by deployment.

[0023] Instead of this pulling out of the carpet section under the trim element, it can be considered that the carpet is again covered on one or two longitudinal sides by the trim element, where the side sections of the carpet extend under the trim element, and in this variant, in order to form a tear line, the carpet is perforated in the area of the trim element. By means of such holes preferably provided in the area under the trim element and thus covered, the carpet can be torn along these holes and thus does not prevent the further deployment of the airbag, so that the airbag can also be fully deployed in the lateral direction.

[0024] According to a third variant, it can be considered that the trim element covering the carpet in the side area itself has a flexibly formed section or can be bent upwards along a fold line in the end area in contact with the carpet. In this design, caused by the forces acting on the trim element in the case of airbag deployment, the trim element itself is deformed purposefully. The correspondingly section of the trim element, which is flexible in terms of material or can be bent along the fold line, is deformed, i.e., lifted, in the case of airbag deployment, so that this section does not prevent the dragging of the carpet and thus the deployment of the airbag in the lateral direction.

[0025] There is no object in the footwell of the co-driver that obstructs the deployment of the airbag, and the pedals enabling manual driving are located in the footwell of the driver. To prevent the pedals from overly obstructing the deployment of the airbag, a suitable improvement of the present invention proposes that the airbag has a shape matching the adjacent pedals in the deployed state. Thus, the airbag deploys towards the direction of the pedals or even abuts against the pedals, but is formed in such a way that the final shape of the airbag takes into account the geometry or position of the pedals. Here, at least one groove can be formed in the carpet, and at least one pedal is received in the at least one groove when the airbag deploys. Of course, if there are multiple pedals, multiple such grooves can also be provided, but these pedals can also be received in a common groove. The purpose of this design is that in the deployed state, the upper sides of one or more pedals are received flush to a certain extent in the upper side of the upright carpet layer in which the grooves are formed. Thus, a support surface that is as flat as possible can be formed, and one or more pedals are embedded in the support surface. In principle, one or more pedals have a back side that is as edge-free and tip-free as possible, thereby precluding the situation where the airbag is damaged by the pedals during deployment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Other advantages and details of the present invention result from the embodiments described below and from the drawings. The figures show:

[0027] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a heel airbag according to the present invention,

[0028] Figure 2 shows a partial view of a motor vehicle according to the present invention with a heel airbag in the unignited state,

[0029] Figure 3 shows the Figure 2 arrangement in

[0030] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram for forming a fold line,

[0031] Figure 5 shows another schematic diagram for forming a fold line,

[0032] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the first feasibility solution for the design of the side section of the carpet,

[0033] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the second feasibility solution for the design of the side section of the carpet,

[0034] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the third feasibility solution for the design of the side section of the carpet, and

[0035] Figure 9 Schematic diagram showing the pedal embedded in the protective structure in the deployed state. Detailed implementation mode

[0036] Figure 1 Exploded view showing the heel airbag 1 according to the invention. The heel airbag includes a load-bearing element 2 in the form of a foam element, preferably, i.e., this element is made of foamed but sufficiently stable plastic. The load-bearing element 2 has a back side 3, which has a three-dimensional form-locking structure 4, which, for example, includes a step 5 extending in the width of the load-bearing element 2 and a laterally extending groove 6, and this step is connected to the remaining flat lower side. However, the shown form-locking structure 4 or its geometry is only exemplary, and it can also be three-dimensionally designed in any different way. In any case, the form-locking structure 4 is the negative image of the three-dimensional body structure of the motor vehicle, i.e., the vehicle floor, on which the heel airbag 1 should be installed. The three-dimensional form engagement is formed by connecting the form-locking structure 4 with the body structure, and through this form engagement, the heel airbag 1 is accurately positioned and fixed, and for this purpose, no additional fastening elements are required. Then, the actual final fixation is achieved by the covering carpet, which will be elaborated below.

[0037] The heel airbag 1 also has an airbag module 7, which includes a folded airbag 8 and a receiving part 9 for the gas generator 10 together with the associated diffusion tube 11. The airbag module 7 is planar in the folded state, and it is slightly smaller than the upper side 12 of the load-bearing element 2, on which the planar airbag module 7 is placed. In addition, a fixing plate 13 is shown, which is connected to the gas generator 10 on the one hand and fixed to the vehicle body on the other hand. The fixing plate 13 is solely and only used to fix or lock the gas generator 10 so that the gas generator 10 remains in place during the ignition process, in which the gas generator 10 generates a large volume of gas, and through this gas volume, the airbag 8 is inflated; and it does not slide after the gas generator only operates in the event of a collision, thus ensuring that the airbag 8 is fully filled.

[0038] In addition, a cover part 14, preferably a plastic film, is shown, which is additionally equipped with a sensor film if necessary. The size of the cover part 14 is slightly larger than the size of the airbag module 7, so that the cover part 14 completely covers the airbag module 7. A plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners 15 protruding towards the load-bearing element 2 are formed on the two longitudinal sides of the plastic cover part 14, and in the installation position, the hook-and-loop fasteners 15 laterally cover the side walls 16 of the load-bearing element 2 respectively. The cover part 14 is fastened to the load-bearing element 2 by means of suitable fastening elements 17, here, for example, in the form of plastic rivets, which are inserted into the corresponding openings on the load-bearing element 2 or pressed into the load-bearing element material, and the plastic rivets are welded to the plastic material of the load-bearing element 2 for this purpose, for example.

[0039] Generally speaking, when the components are assembled together, a very flat structure of the heel airbag 1 is obtained. Among them, the three-dimensional dorsal geometric structure of the bearing element 2, that is, the form-locking geometric structure 4, ensures a reliable and precisely positioned installation on the vehicle body. The bearing element 2, such as the preferred foam element mentioned above, is on the one hand stable enough so that the bearing element can still be loaded when the airbag 8 is deployed and its shape does not change. In addition, the bearing element also provides a certain damping function, especially the damping function caused by the given foam structure.

[0040] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the installation of the heel airbag 1 is shown. The motor vehicle 18 according to the present invention is shown locally, which includes a vehicle body 19. Among them, the vehicle body 19 has a horizontal vehicle body section 20 and a vehicle body section 21 extending obliquely upward therefrom. This vehicle body section has a three-dimensional vehicle body structure 22, in the form of a step section 23 here, similar to the step section 4 of the bearing element 2. Of course, the corresponding elongated protrusions can also be part of the vehicle body structure 22, corresponding to the groove 6 of the bearing element 2, etc. Therefore, the vehicle body structure 22 is the positive mold of the form-locking structure 4. It can be seen that the bearing element 2 is form-locked into the vehicle body structure 22 by using its form-locking structure 4, which of course also includes the vehicle body area corresponding to the large-area dorsal section of the bearing element 2. Among them, the heel airbag 1 is accurately positioned through this form-locking joint. In addition, the airbag module 7 and the cover part 14 are shown.

[0041] In addition, the carpet 24 is shown, which is laid on the vehicle body 19, that is, the inner chamber floor. This carpet is made of an upper carpet layer 25 and a relatively hard or stable bearing layer 26 firmly connected thereto. The bearing layer imparts stability and shape to the carpet 24. The bearing layer 26 only extends to the edge 27, through which a folding line is formed, which will be further elaborated below. The carpet layer 25 extends to the edge 27 without support, that is, especially in the following area where the carpet 24 and thus the bearing layer 25 cover the heel airbag 1. A bearing layer 26 is provided again at the upper end, and thus the carpet 24 is stable again and the carpet layer 25 is fixed.

[0042] Figure 2 The airbag 7 in the folded state is shown. In the event of a collision, it is ignited by the gas generator 10, the airbag 7 is inflated and its volume increases. Its shape is specifically pre-given. Due to the increase in volume, the carpet layer 25 bulges, and the carpet layer lies loosely on the heel airbag 1, as Figure 3As shown. That is to say, when the airbag 7 is inflated, on the one hand, the cover part 14 becomes loose or is torn off and driven from its fastening on the bearing element 2, and on the other hand, the loose carpet layer 25 also moves together. The carpet layer swings around the bending line 28 formed by the edge 27, and swings around the upper bending line in a similar manner, which is formed in the transition area between the carpet layer 25 and the bearing layer 26, but this is not shown in detail. Along the bending line 28 that extends laterally in the vehicle transverse direction through the foot space, a defined position for the heel support point is defined, where the heel of a person sitting in an adjacent seat is supported in the event of a collision. Therefore, the loose carpet layer 25 swings upward around this bending line 28, so that a corresponding support surface 29 is also formed due to the geometry of the airbag 7, and the feet of the person are supported on this support surface. The heel support point is located further forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the non-ignited state and corresponds to the transition in the horizontally to inclined carpet section, so this heel support point is significantly displaced towards the vehicle interior. Figure 2 In the non-ignited state, it is positioned further forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction and corresponds to the transition in the horizontally to inclined carpet section, so this heel support point is significantly displaced towards the vehicle interior.

[0043] Figure 4 An additional feasible solution for forming the bending line 28 is shown. Here, in addition to the edge 27, the slat 29 is screwed to the vehicle body 19 by means of a suitable fastening element 30. This slat 29 also extends across the carpet 24 in the vehicle transverse direction. The front slat edge again defines a corresponding bending line in relation to the edge 27. In this variant, it is not necessarily required to remove the bearing layer 26 in the area covering the heel airbag 1.

[0044] Additionally, a feasible solution is briefly shown here, in which a groove-shaped material recess 31 is formed in the carpet layer 25, which is again used to assist or form the bending line 28, where the material recess 31 is optional or alternative to the application of the slat 29. If the material recess is provided in the area of the desired bending line, the material recess can also be provided on the bearing layer 26.

[0045] Figure 5 A design is shown in which a plurality of locking elements 32 are provided or protrude on the lower side of the carpet 24 or the carpet layer 25, and these locking elements snap into corresponding perforations 33 in the vehicle body 19. In this regard, in addition to the edge 27, after the carpet 24 is fixed to the vehicle body side by this locking or latching, the bending line 28 is again defined. Alternatively, if there is a bearing layer, the locking elements can also be provided on the bearing layer.

[0046] Figure 6Shows a part of a motor vehicle 1, in which a carpet 24 is positioned with its side sections 34, 35 under elongated trim elements 36, 37, such as sill trim or center console trim, etc., that is, the trim elements 36, 37 cover the side sections 34, 35. Under the trim elements 36, 37, if necessary, a sufficient amount of carpet material is also provided in a folded manner, and this carpet material is pulled out from under the trim elements 34, 35 as shown by the arrow P when the airbag 7 is deployed, that is, the material is dragged laterally, and thus the airbag 7 is also formed integrally in the vehicle transverse direction. That is, the airbag 7 can be fully deployed, and the carpet 24 does not prevent the deployment in the transverse direction, nor does it prevent such deployment in the height direction. Preferably, only a carpet layer 25 is provided in the region of the side sections 34, 35, so that the side sections 34, 35 are sufficiently flexible.

[0047] Figure 7 Shows a similar arrangement of the motor vehicle 1, in which the carpet 24 is again covered by the trim elements 36, 37 in the region of the side sections 34, 35. In this design, each trim element 36, 37 has a somewhat inner section 38, 39, which is made of a more flexible material compared to the rest of the trim element 36, 37, or this section is designed to be foldable through a folding line. If the airbag 7 is deployed, as shown by the arrow P in Figure 7 , the corresponding sections 38, 39 swing upwards, so that this section does not prevent the movement of the corresponding side section 34, 35, and the airbag 7 can also be fully deployed in the transverse direction. Here, only a carpet layer 25 can also be provided in the region of the side sections 34, 35, but no load-bearing layer 26 is provided.

[0048] Subsequently, Figure 8 Shows a part of the motor vehicle 1, in which the carpet 24 has holes 40, 41 in the region of its side sections 34, 35, such as in the form of longitudinal slits, etc. Each hole 40, 41 is respectively located under the corresponding trim element 36, 37, that is, not visible. If the airbag 7 is deployed, the carpet 24 tears along the holes 40, 41, that is, the side sections 34, 35 respectively covered by the trim elements 36, 37 are separated or torn and do not prevent the deployment movement. Here, only a carpet layer 25 can also be provided in the region of the side sections 34, 35, but no load-bearing layer 26 is provided.

[0049] Finally, Figure 9Shows a part of the vehicle in the case of airbag deployment. Additionally shown are two pedals 42, 43, and the heel airbag 1 is arranged under the two pedals and deploys. Grooves 44, 45 are formed in the carpet 24 and, if necessary, also in the deployment geometry of the airbag 7. When the airbag 7 or the carpet 24 deploys and abuts against the pedals 42, 43 from below, the pedals 42, 43 are received in these grooves. The pedals 42, 43 with a somewhat flat surface are received and embedded in such a way that overall a closed or flat surface is formed on the carpet 24 and the pedal surface. That is to say, the pedals or the pedal geometry are taken into account simultaneously with respect to the formation of the support surface, and thus the carpet 24 and, if necessary, the airbag 7 have to a certain extent the negative mold of the pedals, so that a uniform support surface is formed.

Claims

1. A heel airbag for a motor vehicle, the heel airbag having: a carrier element (2); an airbag module (7) arranged on the front side (12) of the carrier element (2); a cover part (14) fastened to the carrier element (2) and covering the airbag module (7), wherein, The back side (3) of the load-bearing element (2) has a three-dimensional form-fitting structure (4) for connection to the three-dimensional body structure (22) of a motor vehicle in the installation position.

2. The heel airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that The load-bearing element (2) is a foam element.

3. The heel airbag according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The cover part (14) is a plastic film, a textile fabric or a non-woven fabric.

4. The heel airbag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The airbag module (7) is fixed by means of a cover part (14) fastened to the load-bearing element (2).

5. The heel airbag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cover part (14) is connected to the load-bearing element (2) by means of a plurality of threaded connections, riveted connections or locking connections (17) or adhesive connections or clamping connections.

6. The heel airbag according to claim 5, characterized in that The cover part (14) is connected to the load-bearing element (2) along at least two side edges, and the cover part laterally covers the load-bearing element (2) by means of the at least two side edges.

7. The heel airbag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cover part (14) is provided with a sensor film for determining damage to the cover part (14).

8. The heel airbag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The airbag module (7) has a gas generator (10), which is positioned in the upper half, in particular the upper third, of the airbag module (7) relative to the installation position.

9. A motor vehicle having a vehicle body (19) and at least one heel airbag (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the heel airbag being positively connected to the vehicle body structure (22) by its positive connection structure (4).

10. The motor vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that The heel airbag (1) is covered by a carpet (24), which is connected or not connected to the heel airbag (1).

11. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that On the carpet (24), a hinge-shaped fold line (28) is formed, which extends adjacent to the lower end part of the heel airbag (1).

12. The motor vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that On the carpet (24), a hinge-shaped fold line is formed, which extends adjacent to the upper end part of the heel airbag (1).

13. The motor vehicle according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The carpet (24) has a carpet layer (25) and a load-bearing layer (26), in particular a foam layer, applied under the carpet layer, wherein the load-bearing layer (26) is not provided in the area where the carpet (24) covers the airbag module (7).

14. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that On the carpet (24), a strip (29) defining the fold line (28) is arranged, the strip being connected to the bottom structure, or the carpet (24) is fixed to the bottom structure by means of hook-shaped connections (32), or a linear material recess (31) defining the fold line (28) is provided on the underside of the load-bearing layer (26) or the carpet layer (25).

15. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that The carpet (24) is covered on one or two longitudinal sides by means of trim elements (36, 37), wherein the side sections (34, 35) of the carpet (24) extend under the trim elements (36, 37) in such a way that the side sections (34, 35) of the carpet can be pulled out from under the trim elements (36, 37) in the case of deployment of the airbag (8).

16. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that The carpet (24) is covered on one or two longitudinal sides by means of trim elements (36, 37), wherein the side sections (34, 35) of the carpet (24) extend under the trim elements (36, 37), wherein, in order to form a tear line, the carpet (24) is perforated in the area of the trim elements (36, 37), or wherein the trim elements (36, 37) have flexibly formed sections (38, 39) or sections (38, 39) that can be bent upwards along a fold line in the end regions in contact with the carpet (24).

17. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that, The airbag (8) has a shape matching the shape of the adjacent pedal in the deployed state.

18. The motor vehicle according to any one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that, At least one groove (44, 45) is formed in the carpet (24), and at least one pedal (42, 43) is received in the at least one groove in the case where the airbag (8) is deployed.

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