Safety device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A safety device (10) of a motor vehicle which, in the event of a collision between the vehicle and a pedestrian, causes a full-surface deployment of a front flap of the vehicle, comprising: a hinge unit (12) which is connected to the front flap, at least one movably mounted actuator (16) comprising a triggering unit, a connecting unit (48), a cable pull (28), at least one front flap lock (36) and a retaining unit, wherein the connecting unit (48) is operatively connected to the cable pull (28), the at least one actuator (16) is movable in at least two directions after activation by means of the triggering unit, wherein the actuator (16) is operatively connected in one direction to the front flap in the region of the hinge unit (12) in order to move the front flap into a deployed position,and in the other direction is operatively connected to the connecting unit (48), and wherein the movement of the actuator (16) is operatively connected to the at least one front flap lock (36) via the connecting unit (48) and the cable pull (28), and that after the transmission of the movement of the actuator (16), the at least one front flap lock (36) is in the open state and the retaining unit holds the front flap in a raised position, characterized in that the safety device (10) comprises a deflection lever (22), wherein the deflection lever (22) is operatively connected to the cable pull (28) by means of the connecting unit (48), wherein the at least one actuator (16) is movable in at least two directions after activation by means of the triggering unit, wherein the actuator (16) is movable in one direction with the front flap in the region of the hinge unit (12) in order to move the latter into a raised position,is operatively connected and in the other direction is operatively connected to the deflection lever (22), and wherein the movement of the actuator (16) is operatively connected to the at least one front flap lock (36) via the deflection lever (22), the connecting unit (48) and the cable (28), and the deflection lever (22) is designed in the form of a deflection pulley (70) with a lever element (72), wherein the deflection pulley (70) is mounted in a coupling box housing (74), wherein the deflection pulley (70) is operatively connected on opposite sides to at least one cable (28), wherein the respective cables (28) are each operatively connected to at least one front flap lock (36).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a safety device of a motor vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a safety device of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Safety devices, in many forms, are a technical standard in today's motor vehicles and serve a variety of purposes. Some safety devices are primarily designed to ensure the safety of the driver and passengers. Another group of safety devices primarily serves to increase the safety of other road users. Particularly in the area of vehicle safety, requirements are becoming increasingly stringent due to increasingly stringent legislation.

[0003] To increase safety, especially for pedestrians and cyclists, numerous improvements to the front of a vehicle have been proposed in recent years. Raising the hood in the event of a collision with a pedestrian can already be considered state of the art.

[0004] For example, DE 603 03 356 T2 discloses a motor vehicle and a joint mechanism for such a vehicle. The raising of the hood is achieved by a hinge mechanism with various levers raising the rear part of the hood in the event of a collision. While this mechanism operates very quickly, and the various levers allow for increased space beneath the hood in the rear area, the hood, especially the front part of the hood, remains virtually unchanged in a position directly above the engine block, thus exposing a pedestrian, such as a child, who is thrown onto this surface to great danger.

[0005] Another solution is known from DE 10 2011 115 403 A1. The safety device presented therein comprises a device which, in the event of a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian, moves a front flap of the vehicle in the area of the windshield from its closed position to a raised position. The relative movement of the front flap is transmitted to a vehicle component to be moved by means of a cable. Due to the movement of an actuator in one direction, the front flap is moved, which in turn moves a lever which hooks into the cable so that the cable can transmit the transmitted movement to the vehicle component to be moved. While an additional vehicle component is to be moved, a specific solution for the front area of the front flap is not proposed.

[0006] GB 2 382 549 A and DE 195 16 876 C1 each disclose a safety device for motor vehicles that causes the front hood to fully open in the event of a collision between the vehicle and a pedestrian. An actuator moves the front hood into a raised position via a hinge unit, and the hood lock is opened.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing an improved safety device for a motor vehicle.

[0008] The object is achieved by a safety device of a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1.

[0009] According to the invention, a safety device of a motor vehicle comprises a hinge unit which is connected to the front lid, at least one movably mounted actuator, comprising a triggering unit, a connecting unit, a cable pull, at least one front lid lock and a retaining unit, wherein the connecting unit is operatively connected to the cable pull. The at least one actuator is movable in at least two directions after activation by means of the triggering unit, wherein the actuator is operatively connected in one direction to the front lid in the region of the hinge unit in order to move the latter into an upright position, and in the other direction the actuator is operatively connected to the connecting unit. The movement of the actuator is operatively connected to the at least one front lid lock via the connecting unit and the cable pull.After the movement of the actuator has been transmitted, at least one front hatch lock is in the open state and the retaining unit holds the front hatch in a raised position. The front hatch can thus be raised in two spaced-apart areas, ensuring that the front hatch is raised over its entire surface. This is achieved by the mechanical distribution of the activation pulse. In particular, an activation pulse from an actuator can result in its vertical movement in two directions, so that on the one hand the front hatch is raised in the area of the hinge unit and on the other hand the vertical movement is converted into a horizontal movement of a cable pull by means of the connecting unit. The two directions can have any directional vectors. For example, an identical directional vector is also conceivable.For example, with identical directional vectors, it would be conceivable that the characteristics in terms of the achievable length of the actuator's deflection direction differ in the two events to be triggered. This horizontal movement of the cable pull can be transferred to a bonnet lock, so that on the one hand the bonnet lock can be opened and on the other hand the bonnet lock can be moved. This movement of the bonnet lock results in the bonnet being positioned in this area, with the restraint unit being designed to maintain the achieved position of the bonnet lock and thus also of the bonnet. In this way, the creation of deformation space beneath the entire bonnet, beneficial to pedestrian protection, is possible by triggering just two actuators, for example.

[0010] According to the invention, it is further provided that the safety device comprises a deflection lever, wherein the deflection lever is operatively connected to the cable pull by means of the connecting unit, wherein the at least one actuator is movable in at least two directions after activation by means of the triggering unit, wherein the actuator is operatively connected in one direction to the front flap in the region of the hinge unit in order to move the latter into an upright position and is operatively connected in the other direction to the deflection lever, and wherein the movement of the actuator is operatively connected to the at least one front flap lock via the deflection lever, the connecting unit and the cable pull. The deflection lever transmits the movement of the actuator in a particularly targeted manner, so that a reliable, full-surface deployment of the front flap is enabled.

[0011] According to the invention, it is further provided that the deflection lever is designed in the form of a deflection pulley with a lever element, wherein the deflection pulley is mounted in a coupling box housing, wherein the deflection pulley is operatively connected on opposite sides to at least one cable pull, wherein the respective cables are each operatively connected to at least one front flap lock. In this way, a compact design is possible. The deflection pulley can also exert a force on a respectively operatively connected cable pull by means of a movement of the lever element on opposite sides in the opposite direction. In this way, various mechanical processes can be triggered.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the invention also provides that the at least one actuator can be moved in at least two opposite directions after activation by the trigger unit. In this way, an activation pulse generated in the actuator by the trigger unit can act in two directions.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one actuator is movable in at least two directions after activation by the triggering unit, wherein the two directions have identical directional vectors or the two directions each have any directional vectors that differ from one another. Depending on the vehicle concept, the power transmission can be redirected accordingly to achieve the desired result. This ensures that, for example, the desired result is achieved even with identical directional vectors.

[0014] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one actuator is movably mounted in a cylindrical guide, wherein the actuator is arranged on a component, in particular a longitudinal member, by means of a predetermined breaking point, and that the actuator, after activation by means of the triggering unit, can initially be moved directly in the direction of the front flap and, after the predetermined breaking point breaks, can then also be moved in the other direction. This ensures that the actuator does not cause any unwanted noise during travel. It also ensures that the actuator is always held in the correct position, thus guaranteeing reliable functioning of the safety device.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the retaining unit comprises a base plate arranged on the at least one front flap lock. The base plate comprises at least one lateral guide, and the guide is designed to hold a front flap in a raised position after the transmission of the actuator movement and in the open state of the at least one front flap lock. This reliably prevents a front flap, once raised, from springing back to its original position in this area.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the retaining unit is a contact surface arranged on a surrounding component located in the immediate vicinity of the at least one front flap lock. The contact surface is designed to hold a front flap in a raised position after the transmission of the actuator movement and in the open state of the at least one front flap lock. This reliably prevents a front flap, once raised, from springing back to its original position in this area.

[0017] Further preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the remaining features mentioned in the subclaims.

[0018] The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless otherwise stated in the individual case.

[0019] The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic sectional view of an active front flap hinge with integrated lock release (safety device) of a motor vehicle; Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of various locking bracket positions in a front flap lock; Fig. 3 a schematic view of a bell crank in the form of a pulley.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a safety device 10 for a motor vehicle. In this exemplary embodiment, a hinge unit 12 is shown. This hinge unit 12 can be a single-pivot hinge, for example. This hinge unit 12 can be rotated about a pivot point 14 in order to transfer a front flap (not shown) from a closed position to an open position during normal use. Furthermore, an actuator 16 can be seen, which in this exemplary embodiment is fastened to a longitudinal member 20 by means of a bearing 18. The actuator 16 is movably mounted and can be moved both upwards and downwards relative to the image plane. In the lower area, the actuator 16 is operatively connected to a bell crank 22. This bell crank 22 is in turn operatively connected to a carriage 24. The carriage 24 is finally operatively connected to a driver 26. The carriage 24 rests on a cable pull 28.The driver 26 is firmly connected to the cable 28. In the . Fig. 1 also shows a guide tube 29. This guide tube 29 surrounds the cable 28. For example, the bell crank 22 transmits a vertically acting actuator force to a horizontally positioned wire strand of the cable 28, which may be a Bowden cable 28, and pulls it rearward toward the vehicle. To enable this force transmission, the guide tube 29 of the Bowden cable 28 must be recessed in this area, and the ends of the guide tube 29 must be mounted in the direction of movement of the strand. Ideally, the end of the bell crank 22 should only exert an impulse on the cable 28 in the pulling direction, so that the rotational component of the bell crank is eliminated and the unlocking of the hood, for example using an operating lever in the vehicle interior, can still be guaranteed without disruptive influences. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that after a few millimeters of travel, the lower end of the actuator 16 strikes a stop.The remaining travel of the actuator 16 is used to raise the hinge. In the upper area of the actuator 16, it meets the hinge unit 12 and the connected front flap (not shown). In this example, the hinge unit 12 is moved by the actuator 16 from a non-activated starting position 30 to an end position 32 after activation. The hinge unit 12 rotates the front flap (not shown) about a second pivot point 34, so that the front flap is raised in this area. The following special embodiment of the invention is also conceivable. According to the prior art, the actuators 16 can be equipped with a pyrotechnic mode of action. For example, the number of actuators 16 is two. The two pyrotechnic hinge actuators 16 are positioned in the area of the water tank. The lower part of the actuators 16 is embedded in the upper longitudinal member 20 through a round hole.On the side where the front flap Bowden cable 28 is routed, the actuator 16 is movably mounted in a cylindrical guide so that both a piston or piston rod and the cylinder can move up and down. In order to be able to mount the actuator 16 in the vehicle and prevent rattling during "normal" driving, the cylinder is first screwed onto the longitudinal member 20, similar to its counterpart on the other side of the vehicle. On the side of the vehicle where the front flap Bowden cable 28 is located, the actuator holder 18 (bearing 18) on the longitudinal member 20 has a predetermined breaking point which, although very resistant to radial forces, breaks under forces in the axial direction. When the pyrotechnic actuator 16 is triggered, the piston rod initially rises.At the latest when the end of the piston rod and the movable hinge arm come into contact, the predetermined breaking point, to which the cylinder of actuator 16 is connected to the upper longitudinal member 20, collapses. After the predetermined breaking point fails, the cylinder moves downward in the guide surrounding it and exerts a force on a rocker or deflection lever. This lever transfers the more or less vertically acting actuator force via a correspondingly arranged pivot point to a slide 24 embossed or cast with the Bowden cable strand. In one variant, this slide can be guided in a plastic guide, keeping the two ends of the guide tube at a distance and shielding the free Bowden cable strand from environmental influences.The cylindrical actuator bearing, the rocker arm, and the slide guide are all part of a plastic housing 35, which, together with the Bowden cable 28, is threaded into the longitudinal member 20 and locked into the longitudinal member 20. When the actuator 16 is triggered, the lower end of the rocker arm engages in front of the slide 24, which is stamped or cast onto the Bowden cable strand. As the rocker arm follows a circular path, it pushes the slide 24 backward toward the Bowden cable strand. After a short actuation path, the rocker arm finally strikes a stop, which is also part of the plastic housing 35 described above, thus ensuring that all remaining kinetic energy of the actuator is used to distribute the hinge. In addition to a movably mounted slide 24, which is moved by means of a lever 22, one embodiment also provides the possibility of a fixed slide 24 being movable.In a further variant, this movement is introduced directly by an actuator 16. This is particularly possible if the Bowden cable 28 is located approximately in the direction of the actuator 16 and thus the force can also be transmitted by means of a displaceable slide 24 or the like.

[0021] Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a front flap lock 36 with an associated locking bracket 38, which can be moved by an ejector 40 from a non-activated starting position 30 to an end position 32 after activation. In this exemplary embodiment, the front flap lock 36 is arranged in the immediate vicinity of a surrounding component 42, for example a KUM = plastic mounting support. The surrounding component 42 comprises a contact surface 44. The locking bracket 38 of the front flap lock 36 rests with a partial area against this contact surface 44 of the surrounding component 42 in the end position 32, so that a front flap (not shown) can be held in an upright position. Alternatively, the front flap lock 36 with the locking bracket 38 can also be held in the end position 32 after activation by a guide rail 46 (shown). In the drawing, the guide rail 46 is only schematically indicated by a dashed line.This link 46 can, for example, be arranged on a base plate of the front flap lock 36. In the end position 32, the link 46 can thus hold the front flap lock 36 in a predetermined position, so that a front flap (not shown) can be held in an upright position. If the base plate of the pivoting bracket or the base plate of the locking bracket 38 is provided with a lateral link 46 or with lateral links 46, these can secure the front flap in the rearwardly retracted position against sinking in the front area. This is necessary because the front part of the front flap is only held in the high position by the ejection spring(s). The force of these springs is sufficient to move the front area of the front flap upwards after "normal" unlocking and to enable access to the lever of the pivoting bracket or the catch hook release lever.However, they cannot adequately counteract the dynamic forces of an activated front flap. As an alternative to the lateral guide 46 from the bracket base plate, the front flap can also be locked in the ejected position by a contact surface 44 on the KUM (plastic mounting support) or on other surrounding components 42. A sliding guide due to the dynamics of the front flap after activation of the hinges, as would be implemented via the guide 46, cannot be implemented using the contact surface(s) 44. In this case, the raising of the front flap would therefore be achieved exclusively via the ejection spring(s) and the dynamics of the front flap. Thus, the retention unit can be designed either in the form of the contact surface 44 or by the guide 46. Those skilled in the art will understand that both options can also be used together.The overarching goal is to always keep a front flap in this area in an upright position after activation of the safety device, in order to thus ensure that it is fully open. Further embodiments of this sub-area of the invention are conceivable. Common to the embodiments is that a front flap lock 36, for example in the form of a single-lock system, or the front flap locks (in the case of a two-lock system, for example) are unlocked by the Bowden cable 28 actuated by the actuator 16. In this case, for example, a pawl of the lock 36 releases a rotary latch, which in turn releases the pivoting bracket 38 (single-lock system) or the locking brackets 38 (two-lock system). This is attached to the front flap, which is then raised in the front area via an ejector spring(s) of the lock 36.

[0022] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a deflection lever 22 in the form of a deflection pulley 70. The deflection pulley 70 comprises a lever element 72. This lever element can be actuated by means of an actuator 16, so that, for example, the deflection pulley 70 rotates counterclockwise. The cable pulleys 28 connected to this deflection pulley 70 on opposite sides of the deflection pulley 70 are thus movable in two directions. It is conceivable that the operatively connected connections of the cable pulleys 28 are also placed at points on the deflection pulley 70 other than those shown in the figure. The respective cable pulleys 28 are operatively connected to front flap locks (not shown). The deflection pulley 70 is arranged in a coupling box housing 74. Furthermore, in the Fig.5 shows a further cable 28 on a lower side of the deflection pulley 70, which is arranged in a connection area 76. The cable 28, which runs through the connection area 76, can, for example, be the Bowden cable to an operating lever (not shown) in a driver's compartment.

[0023] The invention can, for example, be used in all future vehicles with an active hinge system. Its use also makes economic sense, especially in vehicles with higher pedestrian protection requirements. Another application is where a front flap needs to be constructed relatively rigidly to counteract what is known as hood flutter, a dynamic movement of the front flaps in the airstream. In conjunction with the described invention, a vehicle could still meet high pedestrian protection requirements despite a relatively rigid front flap. List of reference symbols 10 Safety device 12 Hinge unit 14 Pivot point 16 Actuator 18 Storage 20 longitudinal members 22 bell crank 24 sleds 26 carriers 28 Cable pull / Bowden cable 29 Guide tube 30 non-activated initial position 32 End position 34 Pivot point 35 plastic housings 36 Front flap lock 38 locking brackets 40 ejectors 42 Surrounding component 44 contact surface 46 backdrop 48 connection unit 70 pulley 72 Lever element 74 coupling box housing 76 connection area

Claims

[1] A safety device (10) of a motor vehicle which, in the event of a collision between the vehicle and a pedestrian, causes a full-surface deployment of a front flap of the vehicle, comprising: a hinge unit (12) which is connected to the front flap, at least one movably mounted actuator (16) comprising a triggering unit, a connecting unit (48), a cable pull (28), at least one front flap lock (36) and a retaining unit, wherein the connecting unit (48) is operatively connected to the cable pull (28), the at least one actuator (16) is movable in at least two directions after activation by means of the triggering unit, wherein the actuator (16) is operatively connected in one direction to the front flap in the region of the hinge unit (12) in order to move the latter into a deployed position,and in the other direction is operatively connected to the connecting unit (48) and wherein the movement of the actuator (16) is operatively connected to the at least one front flap lock (36) via the connecting unit (48) and the cable (28), and that after the transmission of the movement of the actuator (16), the at least one front flap lock (36) is in the open state and the retaining unit holds the front flap in an upright position, , characterized bythat the safety device (10) comprises a deflection lever (22), wherein the deflection lever (22) is operatively connected to the cable (28) by means of the connecting unit (48), wherein the at least one actuator (16) is movable in at least two directions after activation by means of the triggering unit, wherein the actuator (16) is operatively connected in one direction to the front flap in the region of the hinge unit (12) in order to move the latter into an erected position, and is operatively connected in the other direction to the deflection lever (22), and wherein the movement of the actuator (16) is operatively connected to the at least one front flap lock (36) via the deflection lever (22), the connecting unit (48) and the cable (28), and the deflection lever (22) is designed in the form of a deflection roller (70) with a lever element (72), wherein the deflection roller (70) is arranged in a coupling box housing (74) is stored,wherein the deflection roller (70) is operatively connected on opposite sides to at least one cable pull (28), wherein the respective cable pulls (28) are each operatively connected to at least one front flap lock (36). [2] Safety device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one actuator (16) is movable in at least two opposite directions after activation by means of the triggering unit. [3] Safety device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one actuator (16) is movable in at least two directions after activation by means of the triggering unit, wherein the two directions have identical direction vectors or the two directions each have arbitrary direction vectors which differ from one another. [4] Safety device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one actuator (16) is movably mounted in a cylindrical guide, wherein the actuator (16) is arranged on a component by means of a predetermined breaking point, and that the actuator (16) is initially movable in the direction of the front flap after activation by means of the triggering unit and, after the predetermined breaking point breaks, is subsequently also movable in the other direction. [5] Safety device (10) according to claim 4, characterized by that the actuator (16) is arranged on a longitudinal member (20). [6] Safety device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the retaining unit comprises a base plate which is arranged on the at least one front flap lock (36), wherein the base plate comprises at least one lateral guide (46) and the guide (46) is designed to hold a front flap in an upright position after the transmission of the movement of the actuator (16) and in the open state of the at least one front flap lock (36). [7] Safety device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by in that the retaining unit is a contact surface (44) which is arranged on a surrounding component (42) which is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the at least one front flap lock (36), and wherein the contact surface (44) is designed to hold a front flap in an upright position after the transmission of the movement of the actuator (16) and in the open state of the at least one front flap lock (36).

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