Vehicle occupant restraint system

Abstract

A vehicle occupant restraint system (1) comprising an airbag module (2) configured as a side airbag module and a vehicle seat (3), wherein the airbag module (2) comprises an inflatable gas bag (21) and the vehicle seat (3) comprises a backrest (31) with a front (311), a back (312), a left side (313), a right side (314) and an upper side (315), and wherein the gas bag (21) is arranged on the backrest (31), characterized in that the gas bag (21) is arranged on the backrest (31) of the vehicle seat (3) such that, in the inflated state, the gas bag (21) extends over a section of the back (312) of the backrest (31), over a section of the left or right side (313, 314) of the backrest (31) and over a section of the upper side (315) of the backrest (31) and is located on the section of the back (312) of the backrest. (31), on the section of the left or right side (313,314) of the backrest (31) and supported on the section of the upper side (315) of the backrest (31).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle occupant restraint system according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Vehicle occupant restraint systems with an inflatable airbag arranged on a vehicle seat serve to protect the passenger sitting on the vehicle seat in the event of an accident in which the passenger moves from their usual seating position. In the event of an accident, the airbag is filled with gas and forms an air cushion. This air cushion can catch the passenger or their upper body and thus slow the passenger's movement. EP 2 546 111 A1 discloses an airbag arranged on the backrest of a seat and comprising a hood that unfolds when the airbag is deployed. US 2016 / 0 347 272 A1 relates to an airbag with a plurality of inflatable regions that form a hood when inflated. DE 10 2012 203 411 A1 discloses a side airbag device that expands a side airbag part between a vehicle side wall and an occupant in the vehicle width direction.

[0003] Depending on the shape of the gas bag and the speed of the passenger, the gas bag may buckle if the passenger collides with the gas bag and thus protect the passenger less effectively.

[0004] The present invention is based on the object of providing vehicle occupant restraint systems with a gas bag arranged on a vehicle seat which bends as little as possible in the event of a passenger impact.

[0005] This object is achieved by providing a vehicle occupant restraint system having the features of claim 1. Further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to this, a vehicle occupant restraint system is provided which comprises an airbag module designed as a side airbag module and a vehicle seat, wherein the airbag module comprises an inflatable gas bag and the vehicle seat comprises a backrest with a front side, a back side, a left side, a right side and an upper side. The gas bag is arranged on the backrest. The front side of the backrest is understood to be the side against which a passenger can lean. The back side is the side opposite the front side and is aligned substantially parallel to it. When the vehicle seat is installed as intended in a vehicle, the front side and the back side therefore extend substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle.The left and right sides of the backrest form the narrow sides of the backrest, extending essentially vertically between the front and rear and perpendicular to the front and rear. The terms "left" and "right" are to be understood with reference to the direction of travel of the vehicle. Therefore, if the vehicle seat is a driver's seat, the left side is the side closest to the vehicle door and the right side is the side closest to the vehicle interior. The upper side of the backrest forms the narrow side of the backrest, extending between the front and rear and connecting the front and rear at their upper ends.

[0007] The vehicle occupant restraint system is characterized in that the gas bag is arranged on the backrest of the vehicle seat in such a way that, when inflated, the gas bag extends over a section of the rear of the backrest, over a section of the left or right side of the backrest, and over a section of the upper side of the backrest, and is supported on the section of the rear of the backrest, on the section of the left or right side of the backrest, and on the section of the upper side of the backrest. The inflated gas bag therefore rests in sections on these sections of the rear, the left or right side, and the upper side.In this case, the section of the back can in particular be located in an edge region of the back which, on the one hand, borders on the left or right side of the backrest, in particular on the section of the left or right side of the backrest, and on the other hand, borders on the upper side of the backrest, in particular on the section of the upper side, on which the gas bag is supported. Thus, one section of the inflated gas bag (when the vehicle seat is installed as intended in a motor vehicle) extends essentially transversely to the direction of travel and one section essentially along the direction of travel. Thus, the inflated gas bag can be supported on the backrest in such a way that it hardly buckles under load, i.e. when a passenger impacts the inflated gas bag.

[0008] In particular, the gas bag can have a gas bag chamber which is filled with a gas when the gas bag is inflated, wherein the gas bag chamber extends in sections over the section of the rear, over the section of the left or right side and over the section of the upper side of the backrest and is supported on these sections. A further section of the gas bag chamber can extend beyond the front when inflated (viewed from the rear to the front) so that this section of the gas bag chamber can absorb an impacting upper body of a vehicle occupant. The gas bag chamber can have an essentially L-shaped configuration when the vehicle occupant restraint system is viewed from above along the front, the rear, the left side and the right side.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the airbag chamber, in the inflated state of the airbag, can have a plurality of substantially tubular sections which, viewed along a longitudinal axis of the tubular sections, are arranged next to one another. The tubular sections can be substantially cylindrical, wherein the longitudinal axis of a tubular section corresponds to the axis of rotation of the cylinder. The axes of rotation of the individual tubular sections can be arranged parallel to one another, so that the tubular sections together form a flat section of the airbag in the inflated state (the airbag chamber). The flat section can be substantially flat or (slightly) curved. The curvature can be designed such that it appears concave to an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. For example, three tubular sections can be arranged next to one another.The tubular sections can be aligned in a direction extending from the rear to the front of the backrest and can extend beyond the front of the backrest, starting from the front. The tubular sections can be provided, in particular, in the region of the gas bag chamber that does not extend beyond the rear portion of the backrest (and beyond the left or right side portion and the upper side portion). The region of the gas bag that rests against the backrest when inflated can comprise the tubular sections or differently shaped portions.

[0010] The tubular sections can each have a substantially constant cross-sectional shape and size along their longitudinal axis. This uniform shape can further prevent the airbag from buckling upon impact with a vehicle occupant. For this purpose, the internal pressure of the inflated airbag can preferably be 1-4 bar, in particular 2-3 bar.

[0011] For particularly effective protection of the vehicle occupant, the gas bag is located in the shoulder area of ​​the backrest. The shoulder area of ​​the backrest is the area in which the shoulders of the vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat are intended to be positioned (viewed along the vertical extension of the backrest). The shoulder area is therefore defined solely by its vertical extension. Thus, the front, rear, left side, and right side of the backrest each have a section located in the shoulder area. The gas bag is preferably attached to the backrest in the shoulder area of ​​the backrest.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the upper side of the backrest can have various shapes. For example, the upper side as a whole can extend essentially horizontally. Thus, the section of the upper side on which the gas bag is supported in the inflated state also extends essentially horizontally. Alternatively, the upper side, at its ends facing the left and right sides, can extend in a straight line or in a curved line from the section on the left or right side diagonally upwards to the opposite right or left side of the backrest. Thus, the section of the upper side on which the gas bag is supported in the inflated state extends correspondingly in a straight line or in a curved line diagonally upwards.

[0013] It is conceivable for the gas bag to be attached to the (horizontal, straight, or curved) section of the upper side of the backrest. In particular, the gas bag can be attached to the section of the upper side of the backrest near the upper end of the gas bag chamber. This can prevent the upper end of the gas bag, which is intended to be located near the head of the vehicle occupant, from moving freely. Additionally or alternatively, the gas bag can be attached to the left or right side of the backrest, which is located below the section of the upper side of the backrest. In particular, the gas bag can be attached to the left or right side of the backrest near the lower end of the gas bag chamber. Preferably, the gas bag is attached to at least two sides of the backrest.

[0014] If the airbag is attached to the top as well as to the left or right side of the backrest, the at least two connections to a non-linear shape can cause the inflated airbag (the airbag chamber) to curve. The curve is designed in such a way that it appears concave to an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. The curve is also formed in the area of ​​the airbag chamber that is not supported by the backrest. This curvature can additionally prevent the airbag from buckling in the event of an occupant impact. Furthermore, the airbag can be attached to the back of the backrest. This connection can ensure that the inflated airbag extends over a section of the back of the backrest and is supported on this section.

[0015] The connection at the rear can be provided as an alternative to the connection at the top. For example, the gas bag can be connected to the left or right side of the backrest and to the back of the backrest, with the connection at the rear not being at the same height as the connection on the left or right side. For example, the connection at the rear can be provided above or below the connection on the left or right side, viewed along the vertical extension of the backrest.

[0016] The connection at the rear can also be provided as an alternative to the connection on the left or right side. For example, the gas bag can be connected to the upper side of the backrest and to the rear of the backrest, with the connection at the rear not being at the same height as the connection on the upper side. For example, the connection at the rear can be provided below the connection on the upper side, viewed along the vertical extension of the backrest.

[0017] It is also conceivable for the airbag to be attached to three sides of the backrest: the rear, the top, and the left and right sides of the backrest. The relative positions of the attachment points can be selected according to the combination of the various dual attachments.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the gas bag has a gather in a region of the gas bag facing the section on the rear side of the backrest and the section on the upper side of the backrest. The gather connects a section of the gas bag that lies at the rear and a section that lies at the top of the backrest. This gather can ensure that the gas bag, when inflated, forms a curve that appears concave to an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. The gather can be achieved by appropriately sewing the section on the left or right side to the section on the upper side. Alternatively, a retaining strap can be provided to form the gather.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the left or right side of the backrest, against which the airbag rests in the inflated state, is the side facing the vehicle interior and away from a vehicle door. Thus, in the event of a side impact of the vehicle on the side facing away from the driver, the inflated airbag can, for example, keep the driver in the seat and protect the adjacent occupant from a collision.

[0020] The invention also relates to an airbag module that is suitable for the previously described vehicle occupant restraint system according to the invention and that is designed as a side airbag module. Accordingly, the airbag module has an inflatable gas bag that is shaped such that the gas bag can be arranged on the backrest of the vehicle seat such that, in the inflated state, the gas bag extends over a section of a rear side of the backrest, over a section of a left or right side of the backrest, and over a section of an upper side of the backrest, and is supported on the section of the rear side of the backrest, on the section of the left or right side of the backrest, and on the section of the upper side of the backrest. The airbag module can furthermore have all the features of the airbag module that has been described as a component of the vehicle occupant restraint system according to the invention.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 is a side view of the vehicle occupant restraint system according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a front view of the vehicle occupant restraint system from Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a rear view of the vehicle occupant restraint system Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 a section of a top view of the vehicle occupant restraint system from Fig. 1.

[0022] In the Fig. 1 to 4, a vehicle occupant restraint system according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated from various perspectives. The vehicle occupant restraint system is designated by reference numeral 1. The vehicle occupant restraint system 1 comprises an airbag module 2 and a vehicle seat 3.

[0023] The vehicle seat 3 comprises a backrest 31, which is provided for supporting the back of a vehicle occupant. The backrest 31 extends in the intended state of the vehicle seat 3 in a vehicle essentially vertically and perpendicular to the direction of travel, which in Fig. 1 is marked with the arrow F. The backrest 31 has a front side 311, a rear side 312 opposite the front side 311, a left side 313 and a right side 314, as well as an upper side 315. The front side 311 is the side available for a vehicle occupant to lean on. The front and rear sides 311, 312 extend essentially perpendicular to the direction of travel F when the vehicle seat 3 is arranged as intended in the vehicle. The left side 313 is opposite the right side 314, with both sides 313, 314 extending vertically between the front side 311 and the rear side 312 and essentially perpendicular to these.The upper side 315 extends substantially horizontally between the front side 311 and the rear side 312 and substantially perpendicular to them, with the upper side here, for example, having a slanted section 315s at each of its ends facing the left and right sides 313, 314. Instead of the slanted sections, the upper side 315 may have a curve at each of its ends facing the left and right sides 313, 314 or may simply extend horizontally.

[0024] The oblique section 315s, which extends from the left side 313 (from the right side 314), is directed obliquely upward toward the right side 314 (left side 313). The oblique section 315s is arranged above the left and right sides 313, 314 and adjoins them.

[0025] The airbag module 2 comprises an inflatable gas bag 21 and a gas generator (not shown), which, when triggered, provides a gas to fill the gas bag 21. In the inflated state, the gas bag 21 encloses a gas bag chamber 211. The gas bag chamber 211 here has, for example, three tubular sections 2111 (fewer or more tubular sections 2111 are also conceivable), which essentially have a cylindrical shape. The tubular sections 2111 are arranged next to one another in such a way that the rotational axes of the cylinders extend essentially parallel to one another.

[0026] The gas bag 21 is in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 4, for example, on the right side 314 of the backrest 31. Alternatively, the gas bag 21 can be arranged on the left side 313 of the backrest 31. In this case, the gas bag 21 is arranged on the backrest 31 of the vehicle seat 3 in such a way that the gas bag 21, in the inflated state, extends over a section of the rear side 312 of the backrest ( Fig. 3), over a section of the right side 314 of the backrest ( Fig. 1) and over an oblique section 315s of the upper side 315 ( Fig. 3) extends in sections and is supported on the section of the rear side 312 of the backrest 31, on the section of the right side 314 of the backrest 31, and on the inclined section 315s of the upper side 315 of the backrest 31. Another section of the inflated gas bag 21 (the gas bag chamber 211) is free and is not supported anywhere. This free section extends from the front side 311 of the backrest 31 along the direction of travel F. The tubular sections 2111 are primarily formed in the free section of the gas bag 21 and extend substantially along the direction of travel (i.e., along the direction extending from the rear side 312 to the front side 311).

[0027] Since the gas bag 21 in the inflated state (the gas bag chamber 211) extends over a section of the rear side 312 of the backrest and over a section of the right side 314 of the backrest, the gas bag in the inflated state has, viewed from above ( Fig. 4) essentially has an L-shape.

[0028] The gas bag 21 is fastened near the upper end of the gas bag chamber 211 to the inclined section 315s of the upper side 315 and near the lower end of the gas bag chamber 211 to the right side 314 of the backrest 31. In Fig. 2 shows how the filled gas bag chamber 211 is curved by this fastening of the gas bag 21 to the backrest 31. The shape of the curvature is essentially determined by the shape of the inclined section 315s of the upper side 315 and by the shape of the right side 314 of the backrest 31. In Fig.4 shows an example of a fastening means 4 which serves to fasten the gas bag 21 to the inclined section 315s.

Claims

[1] Vehicle occupant restraint system (1) comprising an airbag module (2) designed as a side airbag module, and a vehicle seat (3), wherein the airbag module (2) comprises an inflatable gas bag (21) and the vehicle seat (3) comprises a backrest (31) with a front side (311), a back side (312), a left side (313), a right side (314) and an upper side (315), and wherein the gas bag (21) is arranged on the backrest (31), characterized bythat the gas bag (21) is arranged on the backrest (31) of the vehicle seat (3) in such a way that the gas bag (21), in the inflated state, extends over a section of the rear side (312) of the backrest (31), over a section of the left or right side (313, 314) of the backrest (31) and over a section of the upper side (315) of the backrest (31) and is supported on the section of the rear side (312) of the backrest (31), on the section of the left or right side (313, 314) of the backrest (31) and on the section of the upper side (315) of the backrest (31). [2] Vehicle occupant restraint system (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the section of the rear side (312) is directly adjacent to the section of the left or right side (313, 314) and to the section of the upper side (315), and that the section of the left or right side (313, 314) is directly adjacent to the section of the upper side (315). [3] Vehicle occupant restraint system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by in that the gas bag (21) has a gas bag chamber (211) which is filled with a gas when the gas bag (21) is inflated, the gas bag chamber (211) extending in sections over the section of the rear side (312), over the section of the left or right side (313, 314) and over the section of the upper side (315) of the backrest (31) and is supported on these sections. [4] Vehicle occupant restraint system (1) according to claim 3, characterized byin that the gas bag chamber (211) in the inflated state of the gas bag (21) has a plurality of substantially tubular sections (2111) which, viewed along a longitudinal axis of the tubular sections (2111), are arranged next to one another. [5] Vehicle occupant restraint system (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the tubular sections (2111) extend from the front side (311) along a direction directed from the rear side (312) to the front side (311) of the backrest (31) and project beyond the front side (311) of the backrest (31). [6] Vehicle occupant restraint system (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the tubular sections (2111) each have a substantially constant cross-sectional shape and size along the longitudinal axis of the tubular sections (2111). [7] Vehicle occupant restraint system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the backrest (31) has a shoulder area and that the gas bag (21) is fastened to the backrest (31) in the shoulder area of ​​the backrest (31). [8] Vehicle occupant restraint system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the section of the upper side (315) of the backrest (31) extends substantially horizontally or rectilinearly or curvedly from the section of the left or right side (313, 314) obliquely upwards towards the opposite right or left side (314, 313) of the backrest (31). [9] Vehicle occupant restraint system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the gas bag (21) is attached to the left or right side (313, 314) of the backrest (31). [10] Vehicle occupant restraint system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the gas bag (21) is attached to the upper side (315) of the backrest (31). [11] Vehicle occupant restraint system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the gas bag (21) is attached to the back (312) of the backrest (31). [12] Vehicle occupant restraint system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the gas bag (21) has a gathering in a region of the gas bag (21) which faces the section of the rear side (312) of the backrest (31) and the section of the upper side (315) of the backrest (31). [13] Vehicle occupant restraint system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the left or right side (313, 314) of the backrest (31) is the side facing a vehicle interior and away from a vehicle door. [14] Airbag module (2) for a vehicle occupant restraint system (1) with an inflatable gas bag (21), wherein the airbag module (2) is designed as a side airbag module, characterized by in that the gas bag (21) is shaped in such a way that the gas bag (21) can be arranged on a backrest (31) of a vehicle seat (3) in such a way that the gas bag (21), in the inflated state, extends over a section of a rear side (312) of the backrest (31), over a section of a left or a right side (313, 314) of the backrest (31) and over a section of an upper side (315) of the backrest (31) and is supported on the section of the rear side (312) of the backrest (31), on the section of the left or the right side (313, 314) of the backrest (31) and on the section of the upper side (315) of the backrest (31). [15] Airbag module (2) according to claim 14, characterized bythat it is the airbag module (2) of the vehicle occupant restraint system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13.

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