Side airbag arrangement for a vehicle occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Side airbag arrangement (100) for a vehicle occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle, with - at least one side gas bag (2) to be arranged on or in a vehicle seat (1) which, in the inflated state, extends at least partially between a vehicle occupant located on the vehicle seat (1) and a side structure (3) of the motor vehicle; - at least one inflation unit (4) for inflating the side airbag (2), which can be activated depending on a control signal that signals an impending or occurring collision of the motor vehicle with an object, wherein - the inflation unit (4) is located on a side of a frame (5) of the vehicle seat (1) facing the side structure (3) of the vehicle and facing away from a central region of the vehicle seat (1); - the side airbag (2) has at least one inflatable chamber (21), and wherein - the side airbag (2) is designed and attachable to the vehicle seat (1) such that the chamber (21), in the inflated state and in a region facing away from a backrest (11) of the vehicle seat (1), has at least one curvature (220) or at least one kink, so that a first and a second partial section (211, 212) of the chamber (21) - viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle - lie at least partially next to one another, and the side airbag (2) is designed and attachable to the vehicle seat (1) such that the first partial section (211) of the chamber (21) is at least partially supported on the side structure (3) of the vehicle in the inflated state, characterized in that the partial sections (211, 212) lie next to one another in an area of the side gas bag (2) which, viewed in the forward direction of travel, is located in front of a side bolster (12) of the vehicle seat (1), and the second section (212) is fixed to the inflation unit (4) via a retaining strap (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a side airbag arrangement for a vehicle occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] DE 10 2012 214 220 A1 discloses a side airbag arrangement with an airbag integrated into a vehicle seat, the pressure chamber of which extends around a section of the vehicle seat when inflated. This design of the airbag can have the disadvantage that the coupling of the vehicle occupant to an intruding side structure of the vehicle is delayed. This can negatively impact the protective effect of the airbag.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 10 2018 202 417 A1 discloses an airbag module with a main gas bag chamber and a secondary gas bag chamber, wherein the secondary gas bag chamber, when inflated, is supported on a backrest of the vehicle seat. Furthermore, DE 10 2009 021 635 A1 describes a side gas bag unit mounted on a frame of a backrest of a vehicle seat.

[0004] The problem underlying the invention is to create a side airbag arrangement with the best possible protective effect.

[0005] This problem is solved by providing the side airbag arrangement with the features of claim 1. Further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] Thereafter, a side airbag arrangement for a vehicle occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle is provided, with - at least one side airbag to be arranged on or in a vehicle seat, which, in the inflated state, extends at least partially between a vehicle occupant situated on the vehicle seat and a side structure of the vehicle; - at least one inflation unit for inflating the side airbag, which can be activated depending on a control signal that signals an impending or occurring collision of the motor vehicle with an object, wherein - the inflation unit is located on a side of a frame of the vehicle seat facing the side structure of the vehicle and away from a central region of the vehicle seat; - the side airbag has at least one inflatable chamber, and - the side airbag is designed and can be fastened to the vehicle seat in such a way that the chamber, in the inflated state and in a region facing away from a backrest of the vehicle seat, has at least one curvature or at least one kink, so that a first and a second partial section of the chamber - viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle - are at least partially adjacent to one another, wherein - the side airbag is designed and can be fastened to the vehicle seat in such a way that the first section of the chamber, in the inflated state, is at least partially supported on the side structure of the vehicle, and wherein - the sections lie next to each other in an area of the side airbag which, viewed in the forward direction of travel, is located in front of a side bolster of the vehicle seat, and the second section is secured to the inflation unit by a retaining strap.

[0007] The side airbag of the side airbag arrangement according to the invention already has an increased effective thickness due to the adjacent sections of the inflatable chamber and in particular enables the vehicle occupant to be coupled to the vehicle side structure (for example to a door panel) as early as possible. The side airbag therefore has a good protective effect even under severe load cases, i.e. when higher energy is introduced into the vehicle side structure during a collision. The side airbag arrangement is designed, for example, such that the vehicle occupant is coupled to the vehicle side structure already in a pre-crash phase, i.e. when a control signal is present which signals an impending collision of the motor vehicle. It is also possible for the side airbag to be designed such that it rests against the vehicle side structure and also couples to the vehicle occupant at the earliest possible time.The side airbag can thus, on the one hand, propel the vehicle occupant toward the center of the vehicle in the pre-crash phase, and, on the other hand, absorb energy during the collision phase (in-crash phase). Furthermore, the inflated side airbag extends in particular such that it rests above and / or below an armrest of the vehicle's side structure. In particular, the side airbag couples to the vehicle's side structure regardless of its exact geometry. The coupling of the side airbag to the vehicle's side structure remains in place, particularly for an extended period (up to 200 ms).

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first subsection of the inflatable chamber of the side airbag can be fixed directly or indirectly to the side of the frame of the vehicle seat facing the side structure of the vehicle and away from the central region of the vehicle seat, to the inflation unit or to another component located on the side of the frame of the vehicle seat facing the side structure of the vehicle and away from the central region of the vehicle seat.

[0009] For example, the first subsection can be secured (in particular directly) to the frame, the inflation unit, or the other component via at least one material layer that defines an inflatable volume of the first subsection. In particular, a first portion of the material layer defines the inflatable volume of the first subsection, while a second portion of the same material layer defines the volume of the second subsection. The "other component" is, for example, a holder secured to the frame. The holder can serve to connect the inflation unit to the frame of the vehicle seat.

[0010] It is also possible for the first section of the chamber to be indirectly fastened via a connecting element, for example in the form of a retaining strap.

[0011] It is also conceivable for the first and second sub-sections of the chamber to each be fixable to a fixing region of the inflation unit. For example, both the first and second sub-sections can be fixable to the inflation unit. The fixing regions and thus the sections of the first and second sub-sections fixed to the inflation unit border on one another, for example. This means that, for example, an inflow region of the gas bag formed by the first sub-section borders on an upstream gas bag end, wherein the position of the inflow region and the gas bag end are fixed relative to one another (in particular permanently, i.e. even after the gas bag has been inflated) by fixing the first or second sub-section. Of course, however, there cannot be ruled out the possibility of a distance between the fixing regions.

[0012] The first and second sections are secured, for example, by force-fitting and / or form-fitting means; in particular, by hanging or attaching them to a separate component, e.g., in the form of a bracket (including a clamp or other clamping device). Attachment by gluing and / or sewing is also conceivable.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, the inflatable chamber of the side airbag is delimited by a circumferential seam which extends along a plane relative to the non-inflated and flatly spread-out state of the side airbag. The airbag is therefore, in particular, a 2D airbag. It is possible for the chamber to be the only inflatable chamber (pressure chamber) of the side airbag. For example, before the side airbag or the side airbag arrangement is arranged in or on the vehicle seat, the (non-inflated and flatly spread-out) side airbag is folded over (in particular once) in the region of the chamber. This folding over and the corresponding connection of the side airbag to the vehicle seat or a component accommodated therein enable the formation of the first and second subsections of the inflatable chamber and thus the increased effective thickness.

[0014] When inflated, the inflatable chamber, for example—as seen from above—has a U-, V-, or L-shape. However, the invention is, of course, not limited to a specific contour of the side airbag.

[0015] The first and second sections of the chamber are, for example, in flow communication with one another; in particular via the bend or kink. The first and second sections are thus filled, in particular, one after the other, with the second section being filled, for example, via the first section. This sequential filling of the sections occurs, in particular, without additional gas bag components or assemblies (e.g., seams or valves). It is conceivable that the flow connection is restricted by the bend or kink. However, this is not mandatory.

[0016] Furthermore, the side airbag can be designed and fastened to the vehicle seat in such a way that the second section of the chamber couples to the vehicle occupant during inflation of the chamber in such a way that the vehicle occupant experiences an impulse that moves them away from a collision section of the vehicle that will collide or has already collided with the object. In particular, this impulse is transferred to the vehicle occupant upon a pre-crash signal, i.e. upon detection of an impending collision of the vehicle. In this way, the vehicle occupant can be brought into the most advantageous position possible, i.e. as far away as possible from the anticipated collision point, even before a collision.

[0017] Through momentum transfer, i.e. an active push of the vehicle occupant, a greater energy absorption path is available, particularly during the collision. In addition, the movement of the vehicle occupant towards the center of the vehicle can have a positive effect on the forces acting during the collision. For example, the injury-relevant energy transferred to the vehicle occupant during the collision is reduced. Early activation of the inflation unit in the pre-crash phase can also have the advantage of allowing a longer filling phase and making the deployment process of the airbag less aggressive. For example, a pure pyrotechnic gas generator does not necessarily have to be provided and / or lower requirements can be placed on the strength of the components of the side airbag arrangement (the side airbag module).In particular, less pyrotechnic material can be used in the gas generator, resulting in a lower temperature for the gas flowing into the gas bag. Accordingly, the thermal resilience requirements, for example, of the gas bag material, can be reduced.

[0018] The invention also relates to a vehicle seat with a side airbag arrangement according to the invention, wherein the side airbag of the side airbag arrangement is attached to the vehicle seat such that the first section of the chamber, in the inflated state, is at least partially supported on the side structure of the vehicle. In particular, the side airbag arrangement is positioned as described above so that the side airbag is already supported on the vehicle side structure during a pre-crash phase.

[0019] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with such a vehicle seat. It is conceivable that the chamber of the side airbag—when inflated and viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle—is located largely or entirely between the side structure of the vehicle and the vehicle seat or a vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. In particular, when inflated, the side airbag fills the space between the vehicle side structure and the vehicle seat or the vehicle occupant (over part of the vehicle height).

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 shows a side airbag arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention after activation in a view from above; Fig. 2 an exemplary modification of the side gas bag arrangement from Fig. 1; Fig. 3 the side airbag arrangement from the Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 before its activation; Fig. 4 the side airbag of a side airbag arrangement according to the invention in a perspective view; Fig. 5 a front view of a vehicle seat with a vehicle occupant sitting thereon and the side gas bag from Fig. 4; Fig. 6 a further view of the vehicle seat, the vehicle occupant and the side gas bag; Fig. 7 the side airbag from the Fig. 4 to 6 seen from one side of the vehicle; Fig. 8 another view of the side gas bag; Fig. 9 a side airbag of a side airbag arrangement according to the invention in the uninflated and flatly spread-out state; and Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 steps during folding of the side airbag Fig. 9.

[0021] The Fig. The side airbag arrangement 100 according to the invention for a motor vehicle shown in Figure 1 comprises a side airbag 2 and an inflation unit in the form of a gas generator 4 for inflating the side airbag 2. Fig. 1 shows the state of the side airbag 2 in the inflated state, i.e., after activation of the gas generator 4 as a result of the generation of a control signal by the vehicle's control electronics, which signals an impending or occurring collision of the motor vehicle with an object (i.e., as a result of a pre-crash signal or in-crash signal). Before activation of the gas generator 4, the side airbag 2, together with the gas generator 2, is located in a lateral and rear region, in particular in a side bolster 12, of a vehicle seat 1.

[0022] The side airbag 2 comprises an inflatable chamber 21, wherein the gas generator 4 releases gas upon activation, with which the chamber 21 is filled. The side airbag 2 is designed and attached to the vehicle seat 1 such that, in its inflated state, it has a curvature 220 or a kink in a region facing away from a backrest 11 of the vehicle seat 1. The curvature 220 causes a first and second partial section 211, 212 of the chamber 21 - viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle - to lie partially adjacent to one another, thereby increasing the effective thickness of the side airbag 2. In particular, the partial sections 211, 212 lie adjacent to one another in a region of the side airbag 2 that - viewed in the forward direction of travel - is located in front of the vehicle seat 1, in particular in front of the side bolster 12.

[0023] Furthermore, the side airbag 2, in particular the two subsections 211, 212 of the chambers 21, are designed and arranged on the vehicle seat 1 in such a way that the first subsection 211 is supported on a side structure 3 of the vehicle at the earliest possible stage after the activation of the gas generator 4. In this way, the earliest possible coupling of a vehicle occupant located on the vehicle seat 1 and the vehicle seat 1 to the vehicle side structure 3 (intruding after the onset of the collision) is achieved. It is also possible for the side airbag 2 to be designed such that, in the inflated state, it rests against a section of the vehicle side structure 3 that is located above and / or below an armrest 31 of the vehicle side structure 3. At the same time, the side airbag 2 can also rest against the armrest 31.

[0024] The inflatable volume of chamber 21 and thus also the inflatable volume of the two subsections 211, 212 is formed by a material layer 210 (gas bag layer), wherein the first subsection 211 of the chamber 21 is secured to the gas generator 4 via a section 2101 of the material layer. In particular, section 2101 forms an injection opening through which gas flows from the gas generator 4 into the first subsection 211 and further into the second subsection 212. The two subsections 211, 212 are fluidly connected to one another via the bend 220.

[0025] The second subsection 212, however, is fastened to the gas generator 4 via a connecting element in the form of a retaining strap 7. In addition, the second subsection 212 could be fastened to a frame 5 of the vehicle seat 1 or to a component fixed to the frame (e.g., to a holder 6 via which the gas generator 4 is connected to the frame 5). By fastening the two subsections 211, 212 in the region of the gas generator 4 and thus in a rear region of the vehicle seat 1, the front curvature 220 of the side airbag 2 is created. It is conceivable that the fixing regions 41, 42 of the gas generator 4, in which the first and second subsections 211, 212 are fixed, are adjacent to one another or at least only a short distance from one another. The two fixing regions 41, 42 are thus arranged on a side of the frame 5 of the vehicle seat 1 facing the vehicle side structure 3.In other words, an inflow region of the gas bag 2 (of the first subsection 211) adjacent to the gas generator 4 and an upstream end region of the gas bag 2 (of the second subsection 212) are in close proximity to one another or even adjoin one another.

[0026] When inflated, the side airbag 2 not only rests against the vehicle side structure 3, but also deploys with its second subsection 212 toward the vehicle occupant sitting on the vehicle seat 1. In particular, the deploying second subsection 212 exerts an impulse on the vehicle occupant, moving them away from the collision point of the vehicle side structure 3 toward the center of the vehicle. For example, this impulse can be exerted on the vehicle occupant even before the collision actually occurs, i.e., when the side airbag 2 inflates, a pre-crash signal is triggered.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2 shows an exemplary modification of the side airbag arrangement according to the invention. According to this modification, the second subsection 212 of the chamber 21 of the side airbag 2 is not secured in the vehicle seat 1 via a retaining strap, but, analogous to the first subsection 211, directly via a section 2102 of the material layer 210.

[0028] Fig. Fig. 3 shows a section through the lateral area of the vehicle seat 1, in particular its side bolster 12, before activation of the gas generator 4. The side airbag 2 is thus in its non-inflated, folded state. It can be seen that the folded side airbag 2 (in particular completely) together with the gas generator 4 is on an outer side, ie one of the (in Fig. 3 not shown) vehicle side structure 3, of the frame 5 of the vehicle seat 1. After activation of the gas generator 4, the gas bag 2 unfolds from a lateral and / or front section of the side bolster 12 into the Fig. 1 or Fig. Position shown in 2.

[0029] The Fig. 4 to 9 show perspective views of a side airbag 2 of a side airbag arrangement according to the invention. The second section 212 of the chamber 21 of the side airbag 2 shown in these figures is analogous to Fig. 1 is attached to the vehicle seat 1, in particular to the gas generator or another component connected to the seat frame, via a retaining strap 7. The side airbag 2 is designed in particular such that, in its inflated state—viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle—it extends predominantly between the vehicle side structure 3 and the vehicle seat 1 or the vehicle occupant sitting on the seat 1.

[0030] However, it is also conceivable that at least a portion of the second section 212 of the chamber 21 projects inwards (towards the center of the vehicle seat 1) and is thus located in front of a backrest 11 of the vehicle seat 1. This configuration allows the above-described momentum transfer to the vehicle occupant to move the occupant away from a collision point of the vehicle side structure 3 towards the center of the vehicle at the earliest possible time. A movement of the vehicle occupant, in particular of his upper body, towards the center of the vehicle caused by this momentum transfer is Fig. 6. It is pointed out that the second section 212 of the chamber 21 of the side gas bag 2 of the Fig. 4 to 7 of course also analogous to Fig. 2 may be attached to the vehicle seat 1 or a component located there, not via a retaining strap, but directly via the material layer 210. Conversely, it is also conceivable that the first subsection 211 of the chamber 21 is attached to the gas generator 4 not directly, but via a retaining strap.

[0031] Fig. Figure 9 schematically shows a side airbag 2 of a side airbag arrangement according to the invention in a flat, uninflated state. The inflatable chamber 21 of the side airbag 2 is defined by a (particularly continuous) circumferential seam 2100. The circumferential seam 2100 connects two material layers (fabric layers) 210a, 210b to one another.

[0032] The chamber 21 is also the only inflatable chamber of the side gas bag 2. To form the two sections 211, 212, the side gas bag 2 is folded along a fold line F ( Fig. 10 and Fig. 11) until the two sections 211, 212 are next to each other (in Fig. 11 on each other). For example, the fold line F runs at least approximately in the middle of the chamber 21, so that the inflatable volumes of the first and second partial sections 211, 212 are approximately the same size. In particular, after folding along the fold line F, the partial sections 211, 212 lie at least approximately congruent with each other. The geometry of the chamber 21 in the non-inflated state is particularly symmetrical, which can result in better utilization of the gas bag material. However, it is also conceivable that the fold line F does not run centrally, so that the partial sections 211, 212 have different inflatable volumes. Following the folding along the fold line F, a further fold (for example a zigzag fold) of the side gas bag 2 takes place in the Fig. 3. The folding and subsequent folding of the gas bag can be automated.

[0033] It should be noted that elements of the above-described embodiments can, of course, also be used in combination with each other. For example, the Fig. 4 to 8 shown side gas bags analogous to the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 and according to the Fig. 3 be accommodated in the vehicle seat. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the side airbag has at least one passive or actively controlled discharge valve.

Claims

[1] Side airbag arrangement (100) for a vehicle occupant restraint system of a motor vehicle, with - at least one side airbag (2) to be arranged on or in a vehicle seat (1) which, in the inflated state, extends at least partially between a vehicle occupant located on the vehicle seat (1) and a side structure (3) of the motor vehicle; - at least one inflation unit (4) for inflating the side airbag (2), which can be activated depending on a control signal that signals an impending or occurring collision of the motor vehicle with an object, wherein - the inflation unit (4) is located on a side of a frame (5) of the vehicle seat (1) facing the side structure (3) of the vehicle and facing away from a central region of the vehicle seat (1); - the side airbag (2) has at least one inflatable chamber (21), and wherein - the side airbag (2) is designed and attachable to the vehicle seat (1) such that the chamber (21), in the inflated state and in a region facing away from a backrest (11) of the vehicle seat (1), has at least one curvature (220) or at least one kink, so that a first and a second partial section (211, 212) of the chamber (21) - viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle - lie at least partially next to one another, and the side airbag (2) is designed and attachable to the vehicle seat (1) such that the first partial section (211) of the chamber (21) is at least partially supported on the side structure (3) of the vehicle in the inflated state, characterized by , that the partial sections (211, 212) lie next to one another in an area of the side gas bag (2) which, viewed in the forward direction of travel, is located in front of a side bolster (12) of the vehicle seat (1), and the second section (212) is fixed to the inflation unit (4) via a retaining strap (7). [2] Side airbag arrangement (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the first subsection (211) can be fixed directly or indirectly to the side of the frame (5) of the vehicle seat (1) facing towards the side structure (3) of the vehicle and away from the central region of the vehicle seat (1), to the inflation unit (4) or to another component (6) which is located on the side of the frame (5) of the vehicle seat (1) facing towards the side structure (3) of the vehicle and away from the central region of the vehicle seat (1). [3] Side airbag arrangement (100) according to claim 2, characterized by that the first sub-section (211) can be fixed to the frame (5), the inflation unit (4) or the other component (6) via at least one material layer (210) which delimits an inflatable volume of the first sub-section (211). [4] Side airbag arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first and second sections (211, 212) of the chamber (21) can each be fixed to a fixing area (41, 42) of the inflation unit (4). [5] Side airbag arrangement (100) according to claim 4, characterized by that the fixing areas (41, 42) are adjacent to one another. [6] Side airbag arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the chamber (21) is delimited by a circumferential seam (2100) which extends along a plane with respect to the non-inflated and flatly spread-out state of the side gas bag (2). [7] Side airbag arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the chamber (21) is the only inflatable chamber of the side gas bag (2). [8] Side airbag arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the chamber (21) in the inflated state has a U-, V- or L-shape when viewed from above. [9] Side airbag arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first and second sections (211, 212) of the chamber (21) are in flow communication with one another. [10] Side airbag arrangement (100) according to claim 9, characterized by that the flow connection is throttled by the bend (220) or the kink. [11] Side airbag arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the side gas bag (2) is designed and can be fastened to the vehicle seat (1) in such a way that the second partial section (212) of the chamber (21) couples to the vehicle occupant during inflation of the chamber (21) in such a way that the vehicle occupant experiences an impulse which moves him away from a collision section of the vehicle which will collide or has already collided with the object. [12] Vehicle seat (1) with a side airbag arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side airbag (2) is fastened to the vehicle seat (1) such that the first partial section (211) of the chamber (21) is at least partially supported on the side structure (3) of the vehicle in the inflated state. [13] Vehicle with a vehicle seat (1) according to claim 12. [14] Vehicle according to claim 13, characterized by that the chamber (21) - in the inflated state and viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle - is located largely or completely between the side structure (3) of the vehicle and the vehicle seat (1) or a vehicle occupant located on the vehicle seat (1).

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