restraint device

Abstract

A restraint device (1) designed to secure a person (2) in a lying or strongly inclined position on a seat or lying surface (3) within a motor vehicle, comprising a flexible surface element (4) which, in a position of use, covers at least part of the body surface of the person (2), wherein the restraint device (1) is equipped with several gas-fillable airbags (5) each assigned to individual body regions, characterized in that at least one airbag (5) is arranged in an area of ​​the seat or lying surface (3) of the restraint device (1) between two leg supports (6) for the lower legs (7) and / or thighs (8) of the person (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a restraint device for securing persons in a lying or strongly inclined position on a seat or lying surface within a motor vehicle, comprising a flexible surface element, in particular made of mesh, fabric, knitted, crocheted or foil, which in a position of use covers at least a part of the body surface of the person, wherein the surface element is equipped with several gas-fillable airbags, each assigned to individual body regions, for the purpose of tightening the surface element based on recorded measurement data.

[0002] A restraint device designed to secure persons in a lying or steeply inclined position on a seat or lying surface is known, for example, from WO 2014 / 031 109 A1. Upon a corresponding signal, the tension exerted on the restraint belt section is increased by at least one tensioning device. The restraint system may include a blanket and a tensioning device for winding and tensioning the blanket.

[0003] Such a restraint device is also known, for example, from DE 10 2014 213 301 A1. To significantly improve the securing of persons in a comfortable or lying position in the motor vehicle during travel, while simultaneously meeting high comfort requirements, the restraint device is equipped with a mechanism for reducing the gap between the person and the surface element. This tightens the previously loose textile surface element on the person's body and adapts it to the body's contours. In the event of an accident, a gas generator is activated, and a flexible filling element, designed as an airbag, is inflated with the required gas pressure. This element is positioned between the surface element and the person's body surface and conforms to the body's contours.The restraint system has a guide designed as a profile rail, which positively engages and allows translational movement of a slide connected to the surface element. The surface element can have several segments, each equipped with at least one airbag, whereby, when multiple airbags are used, only those airbags enclosed between the surface element and the person can be deployed. According to one variant, several separately controllable inflation elements are provided in order to limit the pre-tensioning force to individual, particularly insensitive body parts. The segmented inflation of the inflation element also ensures that only the inflation elements in the area of ​​the extended surface element are inflated. The inflation element is preferably arranged on an inner side of the surface element facing the person or within a multi-layered surface element.To adapt to different body sizes, the surface element can be modularly supplemented, extended or individually combined.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2015 008 883 A1 describes an occupant restraint device intended for a vehicle, designed as a blanket or footmuff. This device is intended to hold the occupant's pelvic area against the vehicle seat. A chest strap or lap belt can also be used for further restraint.

[0005] German patent DE 10 2005 014 997 A1 relates to a blanket intended for use in an aircraft, with an integrated restraint function, which includes at least one fastening element by which the blanket is attached to a seat. The blanket serves to restrain a passenger covered by the blanket by absorbing force over a surface area. A retractor device includes, for example, a centrifugal clutch that prevents the belt from unwinding in the event of an unexpected flight maneuver, thereby safely restraining the passenger.

[0006] In a passenger seat arrangement according to DE 10 2007 052 ​​727 A1, a restraint device with an airbag is provided, which deploys essentially in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is arranged in front of the passenger seat. This increases the passive safety of vehicle occupants on the passenger side, since this is the main direction of movement of a vehicle and thus a preferred direction of absorption to dissipate and absorb the impact energy generated in a collision.

[0007] US Patent 5,876,059 A discloses a restraint curtain for reclining occupants of a motor vehicle, which may also be equipped with an airbag. Furthermore, US Patent 2006 / 0249944 A1 discloses a restraint system for motor vehicles with a net or curtain and cushions, which may also be inflatable. Additionally, FR Patent 2,859,432 B1 discloses a restraint net for a vehicle bench seat.

[0008] DE 10 2018 206 094 A1 discloses a restraint device for a vehicle seat adjustable between a sitting and a lying position, comprising a surface element for securing an occupant in a lying position on a lying surface of the seat, which in a restraint position covers part of the body surface of the lying occupant.

[0009] Several flexible filling elements integrated into the surface element, such as a leg airbag and a foot airbag, serve to reduce the free space between the occupant and the surface element and to create a pre-tension.

[0010] A disadvantage has been that the desired flexible positioning of the surface element also leads to an undefined relative position of the deployed airbag in relation to the various body regions of the person, deviating from an ideal position. This applies particularly to people of different sizes and children.

[0011] Furthermore, tests have already shown that the holding forces required in an accident, which the airbag must transfer to the person's body to reliably prevent them from shifting on the seat or lying surface, are comparatively high. In practice, this means that either high forces must be transferred to the body or additional restraint devices must be used to counteract shifting.

[0012] Against this background, the invention aims to provide a restraint device for a seat adjustable between a sitting and a reclining position, which further improves the safety of persons lying down or reclining sharply during travel. In particular, it should reliably counteract unwanted shifting of the person on the seat or reclining surface, even during strong deceleration, with a comparatively low force acting on the person's body.

[0013] This problem is solved with a retaining device according to the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to particularly advantageous further developments of the invention.

[0014] According to the invention, a restraint device is provided in which at least one airbag is arranged in a region of the seat or lying surface between two leg supports for the lower legs and / or thighs of the person. For the first time, the restraint effect achievable by the inflation of the airbag is not achieved linearly, as in the prior art, through the inflation pressure and the resulting pressure force against the person's body, but rather through a positive fit of the airbag to the lower or upper leg of the person. Thus, by having the airbag at least partially fill the space between the legs, the unwanted movement of the person on the seat or lying surface is effectively prevented, even during very strong deceleration.The legs can also be slightly spread under the influence of the inflating airbag, which further improves the restraining effect of the airbag because the force is transferred similarly to a saddle.

[0015] Preferably, the at least one airbag has a symmetrical arrangement with respect to the sagittal plane of the person or a shape symmetrical with respect to this plane.

[0016] It has also proven advantageous if the airbag slightly lifts the person's lower legs and / or thighs, causing them to flex. This means the force is not primarily transferred to the inner thighs, but rather to the back of the thighs and the buttocks – areas of the body that are relatively insensitive to pressure.

[0017] Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is achieved by connecting at least one airbag to both the surface element and the seat or lying surface. This means that the force transmission between the vehicle interior and the person is not limited to the surface element, but is advantageously distributed evenly by the additional connection of the airbag to the seat or lying surface. The connection of the airbag to the seat or lying surface on the one hand and / or the surface element on the other can, for example, be designed to be detachable, in order to further facilitate the use of the surface element, which also serves as a blanket, and thereby meet increased comfort requirements.

[0018] It has also proven particularly practical to position the airbag on a footrest that is permanently connected to the seat or lying surface, so that an overall advantageous force transmission can be achieved through a force direction or inflation direction of the airbag that counteracts a typical accident-related displacement of the person in the direction of travel. The airbag can simultaneously rest against the person's feet to further improve force transmission.

[0019] Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is achieved by the restraint device having several airbags arranged laterally on the leg supports, enclosing the legs laterally. These airbags thus form a support for the at least one airbag arranged between the leg supports, and together they enclose the legs laterally and medially. Preferably, the inflation process is synchronized, for example, by means of a fluid-flow connection between the lateral and medial airbags, so that unwanted displacement of the person due to the inflating airbags is avoided.

[0020] It has already proven advantageous if the restraint system includes at least one airbag assigned to the lower leg and at least one assigned to the thigh, each positioned laterally to the leg supports. This allows the side airbags to be inflated with different pressures in the upper and lower leg areas, potentially excluding a joint area of ​​the knee. This optimally accommodates the different load-bearing capacities of these different body regions.

[0021] It is also advantageous if several of the airbags arranged laterally to the leg supports are aerodynamically connected and / or can be filled together with a gas, so that one-sided, undesirable strain on the legs can be reliably excluded.

[0022] Another particularly promising embodiment of the invention is achieved by making at least some of the airbags arranged laterally to the leg rests activatable or deactivatable, particularly based on recorded or known personal parameters. This allows for simple adjustment by selecting which airbags to activate based on the person's height. This ensures that the airbags activated in an accident are always in the correct relative position to their respective body regions.

[0023] Particularly preferred are several of the airbags arranged laterally to the leg supports, opposite each other and arranged in a common transverse plane, designed to be deactivated in pairs, so that the force is introduced evenly into the person's legs and, in particular, no harmful flexion loads on the person's lower extremities are to be feared.

[0024] A further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is achieved by designing the at least one airbag as an integral component of the surface element and guiding it movably along at least one guide rail, so that the person can put on the airbag similarly to trousers. This significantly simplifies handling. Furthermore, incorrect operation is impossible. The restraint function is also guaranteed at all times in different positions of the surface element, which is fixed to the lateral guide rails, for example by means of several slides, allowing for translational movement.

[0025] Furthermore, it has proven particularly successful if the surface element is movably guided along at least one guide rail, for example a profile rail, on the lying surface, with preferably at least one lateral guide rail being arranged on both sides of the person. This ensures, on the one hand, comfortable operation of the surface element, which can be effortlessly guided from the feet to the upper body or head. On the other hand, the surface element remains fixed to the guide rail, preferably a profile rail, by means of slides or runners and is therefore ready in any position to transmit the necessary restraint forces. The guide rail can be fixed within the vehicle interior, at least while driving, and can, for example, also be connected to the seat or lying surface.

[0026] A further, and equally promising, embodiment of the invention is achieved by enabling the detection of the person's position, height, and / or individual characteristics using interior sensors. The decision as to how many or which transverse chambers or airbags are inflated can, for example, be controlled based on the extension length of the surface element, with the corresponding measurements being determined by the slide position, the number of revolutions during the unwinding of the surface element, or by interior sensors to detect the person's height.

[0027] In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, the restraint device is equipped with tensioners for the surface element to maintain sufficient tension of the surface element, particularly during strong deceleration, in addition to the airbags. Such pretension can also be generated outside of immediate danger situations using suitable actuators based on measured values. This eliminates the slack that develops in the surface element during normal use due to folds, overlaps, or double layers, and tightens the surface element with an adjustable pretension over the person's body. Depending on the pretension force, the frictional contact between the body and the seat or lying surface is also increased to the required level to reliably prevent accidental displacement. The pretension can, for example, also be adjusted to the person's weight and height.

[0028] Furthermore, it has proven particularly practical if the device incorporates a retractor, for example implemented by a seatbelt tensioner, to generate pre-tension of the surface element against the body surface. By activating the retractor, the surface element is tightened and wrinkles are removed, thus reducing or eliminating loose sections of the surface element. For this purpose, the retractor can be supported by stationary areas of the vehicle interior or move different sections of the surface element relative to each other to shorten its extent.

[0029] According to a further promising embodiment of the invention, the restraint device has at least one sensor for functional testing and a signal transmitter. This allows the proper functioning of the restraint device to be detected immediately and, if necessary, an acoustic or visual signal to be triggered. Naturally, a corresponding alarm signal can also be generated in the event of a malfunction or incorrect operation.

[0030] The surface element could completely enclose the person in the transverse plane and have a basic shape similar to a sleeping bag. Preferably, the surface element excludes the area of ​​the person's seat surface, thus enclosing the person together with the seat.

[0031] The surface element inherently possesses thermal insulation properties. Furthermore, the surface element can be equipped with an active climate control system to, for example, reduce the temperature in the vicinity of the body.

[0032] The invention allows for numerous embodiments. To further illustrate its basic principle, one of these is shown in the drawing and described below. This shows a top view in each case. Fig. 1 a restraint device according to the invention with two leg supports enclosing an airbag in a resting position; Fig. 2 the in Fig. 1. Retaining device shown with a split surface element; Fig. 3 an enlarged view of a lower leg area of ​​the in Fig. 1 restraint device shown in a rest position; Fig. 4 the in Fig. 3 restraint device shown in a working position; Fig. 5 a variant of the restraint device with an airbag arranged on a footrest in a use position; Fig. 6 a variant of the restraint device with several airbags arranged laterally to the leg rests in a use position; Fig. 7 the in Fig. 6 Restraint device shown with several airbags divided into individual chambers in a deployment position.

[0033] A restraint device 1 according to the invention for securing a person 2 in a lying position on a seat or lying surface 3 within a motor vehicle (not shown in further detail) is described below with reference to the Fig. 1 to 7 explained in more detail.

[0034] In order to ensure sufficient restraint function even in the event of an accident, the restraint device 1 is equipped with a textile surface element 4 which, in a position of use, covers at least part of the body surface of person 2 and which is only shown in outline for better clarity.

[0035] At least one airbag 5 is positioned in an area of ​​the seat or lying surface 3 between two leg rests 6 for the lower legs 7 and / or thighs 8 of person 2. This achieves, for the first time, the restraint effect achievable by inflating the airbag 5 by at least partially filling the space between the lower legs 7 or thighs 8 with the airbag 5, thus creating a contour of the airbag 5 adapted to the lower legs 7 and thighs 8. As a result, sufficient restraint is not limited to pressing person 2 against the lying surface 3, but is achieved due to the form-fitting design even at a comparatively low inflation pressure.For this purpose, the airbag 5 is connected to both the surface element 4 and the seat or lying surface 3, so that optimal force transmission of the deceleration forces can be achieved, which is further improved, for example, by integrated, inflatable areas 9 in the surface element 4. The airbag 5 is inflated in response to corresponding signals during an accident in the pre-crash or in-crash phase, with the surface element 4 tightly enclosing the person 2. The surface element 4 is itself guided and connected to the lying surface 3 via guide rails 10.

[0036] In the area of ​​the leg support 6, various versions of the restraint device 1 with differently designed surface elements 4 can be used. In the case of the Fig. In the case of the airbag 5 shown in Figure 1, designed as a lower leg mid-airbag, which inflates in the area between the leg supports 6 and the lower legs 7, the airbag 5 is connected to both the surface element 4 and the lying surface 3. This connection enables optimal force transmission and thus guarantees the highest level of protection. However, when putting on the surface element 4, the person 2 must guide their lower legs 7 along both sides of the airbag 5.

[0037] As in the Fig. As can be seen in figures 2 to 7, several airbags 5, designed as leg side airbags, are integrated into the surface element 4 on both sides laterally to the leg supports 6. In the event of a crash, the surface element 4 is tightened by the inflation of the airbags 5, and the lower legs 7 are enclosed between the airbag 5 designed as a center airbag and the airbags designed as leg side airbags 5, as is also the case in particular in Fig. 4 is illustrated.

[0038] According to one variant of the restraint device 1, the airbag 5 can be arranged on a footrest 11 connected to the seat or lying surface 3, as is the case, for example, in Fig. 5 can be seen. This increases the utility for person 2 and meets high comfort requirements. In this variant, the airbag 5 is deployed from the footrest 11. To ensure sufficient space between the two feet or lower legs 7, the footrest 11 is divided in the middle into two foot compartments by a partition 12.

[0039] In another, in Fig.In the variant of the restraint device 1 shown in Figure 6, the airbags 5 integrated into the surface element 4, designed as leg side airbags, are multi-part. In this variant, a lower leg side airbag is assigned to the respective lower leg 7 and a thigh side airbag to the respective thigh 8. This allows the airbags 5 to be inflated with different pressures in the upper and lower leg areas.

[0040] The airbags 5, designed as leg-side airbags, are further subdivided into several individual compartments 9. By inflating or deflating individual compartments 9, the leg-side airbags can be adapted to different leg lengths, so that, for example, not all chambers or compartments 9 are inflated in shorter individuals, but rather a selective selection is made. For this purpose, the position, height, and / or individual characteristics of the person 2 are detected by means of interior sensors (not shown). Reference symbol list 1 restraint device 2 Person 3 sleeping areas 4 surface element 5 airbags 6 leg rest 7 Lower legs 8 Thighs 9 area 10 guide rail 11 Footrest 12 Separation surface

Claims

[1] A restraint device (1) designed to secure a person (2) in a lying or strongly inclined position on a seat or lying surface (3) within a motor vehicle, comprising a flexible surface element (4) which in a position of use covers at least part of the body surface of the person (2), wherein the restraint device (1) is equipped with several gas-fillable airbags (5) each assigned to individual body regions, characterized by , that at least one airbag (5) is arranged in an area of ​​the seat or lying surface (3) of the restraint device (1) between two leg supports (6) for the lower legs (7) and / or thighs (8) of the person (2). [2] Retaining device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least one airbag (5) is connected to both the surface element (4) and the seat or lying surface (3). [3] Retaining device (1) according to claims 1 or 2, characterized by, that the airbag (5) is arranged on a footrest (11) which is in particular connected to the seat or lying surface (3) in a stationary manner. [4] Retaining device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the restraint device (1) has several airbags (5) arranged laterally to the leg supports (6). [5] Retaining device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the restraint device (1) has at least one airbag (5) assigned to a lower leg (7) and at least one airbag (5) assigned to a thigh (8), each of which is arranged laterally on the leg supports (6). [6] Retaining device (1) according to claim 5, characterized by , that several of the airbags (5) arranged laterally on the leg supports (6) are fluidly connected and / or designed to be filled together with a gas. [7] Retaining device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by, that at least some of the airbags (5) arranged laterally on the leg supports (6) are designed to be activatable or deactivatable, in particular based on recorded or known personal parameters. [8] Retaining device (1) according to at least one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by , that several of the airbags (5) arranged laterally on the leg supports (6), opposite each other, are designed to be activated or deactivated in pairs. [9] Retaining device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one airbag (5) is designed as an integral part of the surface element (4) and is movably guided along at least one guide rail (10). [10] Retaining device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the position, body size and / or individual characteristics of the person (2) can be detected by means of indoor sensors.

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