Restraint device for an occupant seated in a vehicle seat

Abstract

Restraint device for an occupant (60) seated in a seat (5) with: - a first seat belt section (11) which, when worn, extends over the left shoulder (65) of the seated occupant (60), - a second seat belt section (21) which, when worn, extends over the right shoulder (66) of the seated occupant (60), - a central connector (50) which is connected or connectable to the first seat belt section (11) and the second seat belt section (21), wherein this central connector (50) encloses an inflatable gas bag (52), and - a third seat belt section (31) which is connected or connectable to the central connector (50), and - a fourth safety belt section (41) which is connected or connectable to the central connector (50), characterized in that the four safety belt sections (11, 21, 31, 41) essentially form an X when connected to the central connector (50), such that the first safety belt section (11) is essentially aligned with the third safety belt section (31) and the second safety belt section (21) is essentially aligned with the fourth safety belt section (41).

Description

[0001] In most modern motor vehicles, the driver and the front-seat passenger are provided with two restraint systems. The first restraint system is a seat belt (usually a three-point seat belt), and the second restraint system is a front airbag module. This front airbag module is located in the steering wheel in the case of a driver's airbag and in the instrument panel in the case of a passenger's airbag.

[0002] Normally, the seat belt is at least partially wound onto a retractor and extends through a loop connected to a belt tongue. Furthermore, a buckle is provided in which the belt tongue can be locked when the seat belt is worn.

[0003] Of course, this concept can only work if the seat is oriented in the direction of travel of the vehicle, so that the driver / passenger is essentially looking towards the windshield of the vehicle.

[0004] An alternative concept is known, for example, from US 8,308,190 B2 (also published as US 2011 / 0148081A1). Here, the airbag is arranged in a connector for three seatbelt sections: a first section extending over the occupant's left shoulder, a second section extending over the occupant's right shoulder, and a third section extending between the occupant's legs. The third section is permanently attached to the connector, while the first and second sections can be connected to the connector by means of belt tongues, each of which can be inserted into a buckle on the connector. In use, the connector is positioned essentially in front of the occupant's abdomen. In the event of an accident, the airbag expands and essentially covers the occupant's chest.The upper edge of the airbag is concave, so that the shoulders are restrained by the airbag, but the head is not covered by it. This shape protects the head from being tilted too far.

[0005] The advantage of the system shown in this document is that the entire restraint system – which includes a safety airbag and seat belts – can be connected to the vehicle seat, making it independent of the seat's position and orientation. This can be particularly important if the vehicle seat can be rotated 180° so that the occupant faces the rear of the vehicle.

[0006] A similar restraint device is shown in the generic patent US 2009 / 0256337A1. Here, four seatbelt sections extend from a central connector, which contains a gas bag. The central connector is essentially positioned in the lap of the strapped-in person, resulting in a "suspenders geometry".

[0007] Seatbelt arrangements that essentially have a "suspenders geometry" but without an integrated gas bag are shown, for example, in US 2012 / 0 193 899 A1 and US 2010 / 0 052 401 A1.

[0008] Based on this prior art, the present invention aims to improve the generic retaining device.

[0009] This problem is solved by a restraint device having the features of claim 1. A vehicle seat assembly comprising a vehicle seat and such a restraint device is specified in claim 9.

[0010] The gasbag of US 8 308 190 B2 extends from one shoulder to the other of the occupant and is therefore relatively large and shaped in such a way that it cannot move out of position even in the event of a sideways frontal collision. According to the invention, a smaller gasbag can be used, but additional measures must be taken to ensure that the gasbag remains in position even when lateral forces are applied to it. To achieve this, the four seatbelt sections essentially form an X when connected by the central connector, such that a first seatbelt section is essentially aligned with a third seatbelt section, and a second seatbelt section (21) is essentially aligned with a fourth seatbelt section (41).This prevents the connector and the gas bag from moving sideways, thus making it possible to directly restrain the occupant's head with a relatively small gas bag, preferably with a volume between 10 and 40 liters when fully inflated. In this context, it is further preferred that the connector enclosing the gas bag be positioned relatively high, namely in front of the occupant's chest. This has the additional advantage of reducing the force exerted on the abdomen.

[0011] To ensure that the head is held securely and cannot slip off the impact surface, the impact surface is preferably concave in sections.

[0012] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments and the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 a vehicle seat assembly consisting of a vehicle seat and a restraint device, Fig. 2 the vehicle seat assembly of Fig. 1 with an occupant seated in the vehicle and the restraint device in its worn state, Fig. 3 that in Fig. 2 Shown after inflation of the gas bag of the restraint device, Fig. 3a a cut along line AA in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 a second embodiment in one of the Fig. 2 corresponding representation, Fig. 5 a third embodiment in one of the Fig. 2 corresponding representation, Fig. 6 a fourth embodiment in one of the Fig. 2 corresponding representation, Fig. 7 a fifth embodiment in one of the Fig. 2 corresponding representation and Fig. 8 a sixth embodiment in one of the Fig. 2 corresponding representation.

[0013] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a vehicle seat assembly 1 according to the invention. This vehicle seat assembly 1 consists of a vehicle seat 5 and a restraint device, the parts of which are connected to the vehicle seat. This measure makes the restraint device independent of other parts of the vehicle, in particular the steering wheel and the instrument panel.

[0014] Like any vehicle seat, the vehicle seat 5 has a seat surface, a backrest, and a headrest 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the headrest 8 is a separate part; however, it could of course also be integrally formed with the backrest 7. This applies to all embodiments described in this text.

[0015] There are four seat belt sections in the form of separate seat belts. The first seat belt section 11 extends from a first retractor 12 to a first central belt tongue 13. The first retractor 12 is located on or in the vehicle seat 5, specifically (as shown) in its backrest 7. The first seat belt section 11 is designed to extend over the occupant's left shoulder. Therefore, a deflection device for this first seat belt section is provided near the upper left corner of the backrest 7. Alternatively, the retractor itself could be located in this position. Similarly, the second seat belt section 21 extends from a second retractor 22 via a deflection device to a second central belt tongue 23. Of course, it would also be possible to position the second retractor 22 at the location of the deflection device.The second seat belt section 21 is designed to extend over the occupant's right shoulder. A third belt section 31 extends from a third retractor 32, which is located in or connected to the seat surface, or belongs to a lower part of the backrest 7. A fourth belt section 41 extends from a fourth retractor 42 in the same manner to a fourth central belt tongue 43. In the illustrated embodiment, the third and fourth seat belt sections 31, 41 do not extend over a deflection device, although this would also be possible. The third and fourth seat belt sections are designed to extend over the occupant's hips.

[0016] Finally, a central connector 50 is provided. In the first embodiment, this central connector 50 is connected to the vehicle seat 5 by means of an additional strap 54. The central connector 50 has a buckle for each of the central belt tongues 13, 23, 33 and 43 and includes a gas bag assembly. This gas bag assembly is in Fig. Figure 1 is not shown. An inflator is also provided for this gas bag assembly. This inflator can be accommodated within the central connector 50. In an alternative embodiment, the inflator could be arranged in or on the vehicle seat 5 and connected to the gas bag assembly enclosed in the central connector 50 by means of a flexible hose extending along or within, or forming, the additional strap 54.

[0017] Fig. 2 shows the vehicle seat assembly made of Fig. Figure 1 shows a person 60 seated in vehicle seat 5, wearing the restraint device in its buckled position. It can be seen that the central connector is located essentially in front of the occupant 60's chest and that the four belt sections 11, 21, 31, 41 are connected to the central connector 50 by means of their central tongues 13, 23, 33 and 43. Thus, the four belt sections 11, 21, 31, 41 form an X.

[0018] The Fig. 3 shows this in Fig. Figure 2 shows the gasbag 52 inflated after an accident has occurred, causing the (not shown) inflator to ignite. The main part of the gasbag is positioned in front of the occupant's head 62. Due to the relatively high position of the central connector 50, only the occupant's head (and no other part of the body) is supported by the gasbag 52. Therefore, the volume of the gasbag 52 can be relatively small, preferably between 10 and 40 liters. It follows from the relatively small volume that the dimensions of the gasbag 52 are also relatively small, and preferably the gasbag 52 has a maximum height h between 30 cm and 50 cm and a maximum width w between 30 cm and 50 cm. The maximum depth d is preferably between 10 cm and 30 cm.

[0019] The main purpose of the gas bag 52 is to limit the movement of the head 62 relative to the torso 64 in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. This limitation leads, in particular, to a reduction of the forces acting on the neck. To prevent the head from sliding off the impact surface in a transverse direction, the impact surface 52a of the gas bag 52 is at least partially concave; in particular, it may have a reduced depth in the middle, forming a vertically extending indentation. To create this shape, it is usually preferred to provide a retaining strap 53 extending through the gas bag 52.

[0020] Since the central connector 50, and thus also the gas bag 52, is held in place (at least) by the four belt sections 11, 21, 31, 41, which form an X, the position of the gas bag 52 is clearly defined even under the load of the head impacting the gas bag 52. This applies to both a central frontal collision and a laterally offset frontal collision, which results in lateral forces between the head 62 and the gas bag 52.

[0021] The additional belt 54 can absorb some of the forces exerted by occupants 60 on the central connector 50.

[0022] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that one of the first two seat belt sections 11, 21 – here the second seat belt section 21 – is permanently connected to the central connector 50. In this case, the additional belt 54 is not strictly necessary, since one of the first or second seat belt sections serves to permanently connect the central connector to the vehicle seat 50. It would, of course, be possible (although not shown) to provide an additional belt 54 and connect it to the central connector 50, particularly by means of a belt tongue. Since the geometry is the same as in the first embodiment, the functionality is also the same.

[0023] The Fig. Figure 5 shows a third embodiment. Here, the second seat belt section 21 and the third seat belt section 31 are permanently connected to the central connector 50, so that they could be sections of one belt or separate belts, as in the first two embodiments. As is also the case in the second embodiment, an additional belt could be present, as provided in the first embodiment. However, this is not strictly necessary.

[0024] The Fig. Figure 6 shows a fourth embodiment. Here, the first seat belt section 11, the second seat belt section 21, and the third seat belt section 31 are permanently connected to the central connector. In this case, it is necessary to pull the central connector over the head.

[0025] The Fig. Figure 7 shows a fifth embodiment. Here, the buckling process is somewhat more similar to that of a conventional seat belt system. The second seat belt section 21 and the fourth seat belt section 41 are permanently connected to the central connector 50. Thus, they could be considered sections of a common seat belt. The lower end of the fourth seat belt section 41 is connected to a side belt tongue 44, and a buckle 45 for this side belt tongue 44 is connected to the vehicle seat 5. The first and third seat belt sections 11 and 21 are connected to the central connector 50, as in the first embodiment.It is possible to connect the central connector 50 immovably to the second and fourth seat belt sections 21, 41, or, if the first seat belt section 21 and the fourth seat belt section 41 are part of a common seat belt, the central connector 50 could be in a sliding connection to this seat belt so that its position can be adjusted to the size of the occupant 60. Of course, an additional belt could also be provided in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment.

[0026] The Fig.Figure 8 shows a sixth embodiment. The difference from the fifth embodiment is that the third seat belt section 31 is also permanently connected to the central connector 50. An advantage of this embodiment is that the restraint device is relatively easy for the occupant to use, since only two belt tongues need to be inserted into their respective buckles, and it is not necessary to pull part of the restraint device over the head, as is the case in the fourth embodiment. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle seat assembly 5 vehicle seats 6 Seating area 7 Backrest 8 Headrest 11 first seatbelt section 12 first reel 13 first central belt tongue 21 second seatbelt section 22 second reel 23 second central belt tongue 31 third seat belt section 32 third reel 33 third central belt tongue 41 fourth seat belt section 42 fourth reel 43 fourth central belt tongue 44 lateral belt tongue 45 Belt buckle for side belt tongue 50 central connectors 52 Gasbag 52a Impact area 53 tether strap 54 additional belt 60 inmates 62 heads 64 Torso 65 left shoulder 66 right shoulder

Claims

[1] Restraint device for an occupant (60) seated in a seat (5) comprising: - a first safety belt section (11) which, when worn, extends over the left shoulder (65) of the seated occupant (60), - a second seat belt section (21) which, when worn, extends over the right shoulder (66) of the seated occupant (60), - a central connector (50) which is connected or connectable to the first seat belt section (11) and the second seat belt section (21), wherein this central connector (50) encloses an inflatable gas bag (52), and - a third seat belt section (31) which is connected or connectable to the central connector (50), and - a fourth seat belt section (41) which is connected or connectable to the central connector (50), characterized by, that the four seat belt sections (11, 21, 31, 41) essentially form an X when connected to the central connector (50), such that the first seat belt section (11) is essentially aligned with the third seat belt section (31) and the second seat belt section (21) is essentially aligned with the fourth seat belt section (41). [2] Retaining device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the central connector (50) is positioned substantially in front of the occupant's (60) chest in the state in which the restraint device is used and all seat belt sections (11, 21, 31, 41) are connected to the central connector (50). [3] Restraint device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the gas bag (52) has an impact surface (52a) and that at least one section of the impact surface (52a) is positioned in front of the face of the occupant (60) when the restraint device is worn by the occupant (60) and the gas bag (52) is fully inflated. [4] Retaining device according to claim 3, characterized by , that essentially the entire impact area (52a) is positioned in front of the head (62) of the occupant (60) when the restraint device is worn by the occupant (60) and the gas bag (52) is fully inflated. [5] Retaining device according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized by that the impact surface (52a) is at least partially concave, wherein it is preferred that the impact surface (52a) has a vertically extending recess. [6] Retaining device according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized by , that the fully inflated gas bag (52) has a volume between 10 and 40 liters. [7] Restraint device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an additional belt (54) connected or connectable to the central connector (50) is provided, which is positioned between the third and the fourth seat belt section (31, 41) when the third seat belt section (31), the fourth seat belt section (41) and the additional seat belt (54) are connected to the central connector (50). [8] Vehicle seat assembly (1) comprising a vehicle seat (5) and a restraint device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each seat belt section (11, 21, 31, 41) is connected to the seat (5). [9] Vehicle seat assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized by , that at least some, preferably all, seat belt sections (11, 21, 31, 41) are each connected to the vehicle seat (5) by means of a retractor (12, 22, 32, 42).

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