Occupant protection device for a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an occupant protection device (I) for a vehicle (1) having a folding table (7) assigned to a vehicle seat (3) and positionable between a use position and a stowed position, and having an airbag (4) integrated therein. According to the invention, the airbag (4) deploys, in order to assume its operative position in the event of a detected imminent collision with the vehicle (1) or in the event of a detected collision of the vehicle (1), from one and the same surface side of the folding table (7), at least in sections in front of an upper body and / or in the direction of the upper body of an occupant (2) sitting on the vehicle seat (3), both in the use position and in the stowed position of the folding table (7). The invention further relates to a vehicle (1) having such an occupant protection device (I).

Description

The invention relates to an occupant protection device for a vehicle having a folding table assigned to a vehicle seat and positionable between a use position and a stowage position, and an airbag integrated therein. The invention further relates to a vehicle having such an occupant protection device.DE 10 2021 003 331 A1 discloses an occupant protection device for a vehicle, a vehicle having at least one occupant protection device and a method for operating an occupant protection device. The occupant protection device includes a table associated with a vehicle seat. In the event of a detected collision and / or risk of collision of the vehicle, the table is actively movable into an occupant protection position in which it supports a body section of an occupant against a collision-related displacement or forms a support surface for an airbag unfolding from another vehicle part.Furthermore, DE 10 2021 111 034 A1 describes a folding table device and a vehicle having a folding table device. The folding table device for a vehicle seat comprises a table top, an articulated arm, a joint, an airbag and a gas generator connected to the airbag, by means of which the airbag can be inflated. The table top is adjustable via the joint with the articulated arm about a pivot axis from a rest position into a use position and from the use position into the rest position. Furthermore, the airbag and the gas generator are attached to the table top. In this case, the distance of the center of gravity of the gas generator from the pivot axis is smaller than the distance of the center of gravity of the folded gas bag from the pivot axis.Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 11,091,110 B2 discloses an occupant protection device having a table which is arranged facing a seat back and wherein an airbag is arranged in the table. The airbag deploys between the table and the upper body of the occupant seated in front of the airbag.The invention is based on the object of specifying a novel occupant protection device having a folding table and an airbag, and a vehicle having such an occupant protection device.The object is achieved according to the invention by an occupant protection device which has the features specified in claim 1 and by a vehicle which has the features specified in claim 10.Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.An occupant protection device for a vehicle has a folding table assigned to a vehicle seat and positionable between a use position and a stowage position, and an airbag integrated therein. According to the invention, it is provided that the airbag, in order to assume its operative position, deploys at least in sections from one and the same surface side of the folding table in front of an upper body and / or in the direction of the upper body of an occupant located on the vehicle seat, in the use position and in the stowage position of the folding table, in the event of a detected collision imminent to the vehicle or in the event of a detected collision of the vehicle.By means of the occupant protection device, occupant protection for an occupant on the vehicle seat can be ensured both when the folding table is positioned in its use position and when the folding table has its stowage position, since the airbag assumes its operative position with respect to the occupant independently of the positioning of the folding table. As a result, a collision-related risk of injury to the occupant can be significantly reduced.In one embodiment, the airbag is integrated into a support element of the folding table. In this case, the support element is oriented with respect to the occupant in the use position and in the stowage position in such a way that the airbag deploys out of the support element and assumes its operative position. Thus, a collision-related forward displacement of the occupant can be counteracted or a pre-displacement path can be at least limited, whereby the risk of injury to the occupant can be reduced.In a further embodiment, the support element has an airbag outlet opening closed by means of an airbag cover on a surface side facing a vehicle roof in the use position, which is facing the occupant on the vehicle seat in the stowage position. In normal operation, the airbag outlet opening is closed and is released when the airbag is activated and triggered. The airbag then exits from the airbag outlet opening during its deployment and assumes its operative position to increase injury protection for the occupant.An embodiment of the occupant protection device provides that a predetermined breaking point and / or tear seam running in sections around the latter is or are introduced into the support element for releasing the airbag outlet opening. Upon deployment of the airbag, the predetermined breaking point breaks or the tear seam breaks open, as a result of which the airbag can fully deploy and assume its operative position in order to limit the collision-related forward displacement of the occupant by the occupant impacting the airbag or the airbag.In a further embodiment, it is provided that the folding table, in its stowage position, bears against a seat back of a further vehicle seat arranged in front of the vehicle seat or is arranged in sections within the seat back. Thus, a free space for the occupant in the vehicle seat, to which the folding table and thus the occupant protection device is assigned, can be used to the greatest extent without limitation. In its stowage position, the folding table does not protrude, for example, into a foot space of the occupant.If the airbag deploys in the storage position of the folding table, the airbag is supported by the seat back of the further vehicle seat during its deployment and in its operative position, such that the airbag maintains its operative position at least over a predefined period of time and thus the protection against injury for the occupant by the airbag can be ensured.In a development of the occupant protection device, the support element has a user interface which is designed, for example, as a touch-sensitive input unit, in particular a keyboard and / or display unit. For example, the user interface can be a tablet PC that can be arranged in the support element or integrated into the support element. In the stowage position of the folding table, the occupant can, for example, look at a film by means of the touch-sensitive display unit, whereas the touch-sensitive display unit can be used as an input unit, for example for creating a presentation, in the use position of the folding table. The user interface, if it is designed accordingly, can also be used for video telephony.In a further possible embodiment, the support element is held between two holding struts running parallel to one another, is arranged in sections so as to be displaceable along the latter and / or pivotable about at least one first pivot axis. The two holding struts are arranged laterally, opposite each other on the support element, so that in particular in the use position of the folding table a free space for legs and feet of the occupant is formed between the two holding struts. The two holding struts are spaced apart from one another in such a way that the free space is sufficiently large so that it is possible for the occupant to sit comfortably and optionally also to change his leg positions.The support element is arranged on the holding struts such that it can be displaced and / or pivoted, so that the support element can be positioned in its useful position and back into the stowage position. For example, the support element can be positioned electrically, pneumatically and / or hydraulically from the stowage position into the use position and back.In a further embodiment, the retaining struts are pivotably fastened by one end to the seat back of the further vehicle seat or to a vehicle floor, wherein a pivot region is delimited by means of at least one stop element. In particular, the pivot range is limited with respect to the assumption of the use position, wherein an angle of inclination and thus the pivot range of the folding table can be variably adjusted, i.e. reduced or enlarged, for example depending on a height of the occupant.If the airbag deploys in the use position of the folding table, the airbag is supported in its operative position by means of the support element and the two holding struts, so that the airbag is stabilized in its operative position.Furthermore, in one embodiment of the occupant protection device, it is provided that the support element and / or the holding struts have or have at least one fixing element for fixing the support element to the holding struts both in the use position and in the stowage position. In particular, it is provided for this purpose that the use position of the folding table is selected such that the support element is positioned substantially horizontally and fixed in this horizontal position. Thus, a deployment direction of the airbag is largely predetermined. The support element is fixed in the horizontal position, so that the support element cannot be tilted in the direction of the occupant, whereby it can be ruled out to the greatest extent that the head of the occupant is catapulted, for example in the direction of the vehicle rear, by the deployment of the airbag and a cervical spine of the occupant is thereby overstretched, which can result in a considerable risk of injury to the occupant.The invention furthermore relates to a vehicle having an occupant protection device which has a folding table with an integrated airbag and which is assigned to an occupant on a vehicle seat, in particular a second row of seats. In this case, the airbag deploys into its operative position regardless of whether the folding table has its use position or its stowage position.Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.The following are shown: FIG. 1 schematically shows a sectional view of a vehicle with an occupant on a vehicle seat in the rear region of the vehicle, an airbag of an occupant protection device in its active position and a driver on a further vehicle seat, FIG. 2 schematically shows an enlarged detail of the vehicle according to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 schematically shows a first illustration with an occupant protection device in a stowage position of a folding table and a second illustration with the occupant protection device in a sequence of positioning the folding table in a usable position, and FIG. 4 schematically shows, on the basis of images of the occupant protection device, a sequence for positioning the folding table from the stowage position into the use position in an alternative embodiment.Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a vehicle 1 with an occupant 2 on a vehicle seat 3 in the rear region of the vehicle 1, an airbag 4 of an occupant protection device I in its active position and a driver 5 on a further vehicle seat 6. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the vehicle 1 according to FIG. 1.In general, it is known that increasing requirements with regard to vehicle safety and a desire for a more comfortable guiding and / or more comfortable automated guiding of vehicles 1, an improvement of occupant protection devices I and a simultaneous increase of an adaptation of the occupant protection devices I, for example on account of a changed seat position and / or a changed environment in the rear region of the occupants 2, are required.In particular, it is intended to enable an occupant 2 in a second row of seats of the vehicle 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to work, in particular, relatively comfortably, for example, by means of a laptop and / or another input unit, while the occupant 2 is located on the vehicle seat 3 in the rear region, in particular during a driving mode of the vehicle 1.For this purpose, the occupant protection device I is provided, which has a folding table 7 and the airbag 4.According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the folding table 7 is positioned in its useful position, in which the folding table 7 is unfolded and a support element 7.1 is positioned horizontally and can serve the occupant 2 as a working surface.The airbag 4 is integrated into the support element 7.1 in its initial position, i.e. in normal operation of the vehicle 1, and is not visible. An airbag outlet opening, not shown in detail, is introduced into the support element 7.1, in particular into a first surface side 7.3 facing the occupant 2, from which the airbag 4 deploys to assume its operative position. In the use position, the first surface side 7.3 faces a vehicle roof 1.1 and a second side, surface side 7.4, opposite the first surface side 7.3 of the support element 7.1, faces a vehicle floor 1.2.The airbag outlet opening is closed in the initial position of the airbag 4, i.e. in the non-released state, by means of an airbag cover, not shown in detail, for example by means of a so-called airbag flap.In order to be able to ensure as far as possible that the airbag cover opens in the event of a detected collision imminent for the vehicle 1 or in the event of a detected collision of the vehicle 1, a predetermined breaking point and / or a tear seam is introduced into the support element 7.1, for example the airbag cover encircling in sections. In particular, a tear seam is selected if the airbag cover is connected to the support element 7.1, for example, by means of a flexible and / or textile-like material. In one embodiment, the airbag cover is connected to the support element 7.1 by means of at least one tether, not shown in detail, so that the airbag cover, in particular when the airbag outlet opening is released, is nevertheless fixed to the support element 7.1 and does not fly around in the vehicle 1 and represents an additional risk of injury for the occupant 2 and / or the driver 5.In one embodiment, the support element 7.1 has a user interface, for example an input unit in the form of a keyboard and / or a touch-sensitive display unit, for example in the form of a tablet PC. For example, the tablet is integrated into the first surface side 7.3 as a display unit or other input unit, wherein a user interface embodied in such a planar manner can also form the airbag cover.Furthermore, the support element 7.1 is pivotably arranged between two holding struts 7.2 running parallel to one another, so that the support element 7.1 can assume its horizontal position in the use position of the folding table 7. A first pivot axis S 1 runs parallel to a vehicle transverse axis. For example, the support element 7.1 and / or the holding struts 7.2 have or have at least one fixing element, not shown in detail, for fixing the support element 7.1 to the holding struts 7.2 both in the use position and in a stowage position shown in FIG. 3.The two holding struts 7.2 are pivotably fastened by one end to a seat back 6.1 of the further vehicle seat 6 or to the vehicle floor 1.2. A pivot range of the holding struts 7.2 is limited, for example by means of at least one stop element, not shown in more detail. For example, the pivot range can be adjusted by means of the stop element in order to adjust an inclination of the holding struts 7.2 and thus a position of the support element 7.1 relative to the occupant 2, for example depending on his height. A second pivot axis S 2, about which the holding struts 7.2 of the folding table 7 can pivot, runs here substantially parallel to the first pivot axis S 1.In the use position of the folding table 7 and the support element 7.1 thus arranged in the horizontal position, the airbag 4 deploys out of its airbag outlet opening of the first surface side 7.3 and assumes its operative position. In the operative position, the airbag 4 extends in front of an upper body of the occupant 2, so that the occupant 2 moves forward due to a collision-induced acceleration acting on the occupant and impacts the airbag 4. In this case, a displacement path of the occupant 2 by means of the airbag 4 is limited, so that it can be ruled out to the greatest extent that the occupant 2 impacts with his head 2.1 against the seat back 6.1 of the further vehicle seat 6.FIG. 3 shows two images A 1, A 2, wherein the folding table 7 is shown in the stowage position in a first image A 1 and the airbag 4 is shown in its operative position by means of a dashed line.A second illustration A 2 shows a sequence of positioning of the folding table 7 from the stowage position into the use position.In the stowage position, the support element 7.1 is substantially not visible in a side view of the folding table 7, since the support element 7.1 is arranged completely between the two holding struts 7.2.The first surface side 7.3 of the support element 7.1 is positioned on its vehicle seat 3 in the direction of the occupant 2, so that the airbag 4 deploys in the direction of the occupant 2, in particular in the direction of the upper body of the occupant 2, if necessary. The second surface side 7.4 of the support element 7.1 is positioned in the direction of the driver 5.In the stowage position, the folding table 7 rests substantially over the full surface on a rear side of the seat back 6.1 or is arranged at least in sections within the seat back 6.1, wherein sufficient free space, in particular with respect to its legs and to the seat back 6.1, is nevertheless available to the occupant 2.In the active position of the airbag 4 and when the occupant 2 impacts the airbag 4, the airbag is supported in particular by means of the seat back 6.1 of the further vehicle seat 6 and is thus stabilized in its active position.For positioning the folding table 7 from the stowage position into the use position, the support element 7.1 can first be pivoted manually, electrically, pneumatically and / or hydraulically about the second pivot axis S 2 in the direction of the occupant 2. The folding table 7 is then pivoted in the direction of the occupant 2 by means of the pivotably mounted holding struts 7.2, for example until a comfortable position for the occupant 2 is reached. The pivoting of the folding table 7 can likewise take place manually, electrically, pneumatically and / or hydraulically. A further pivoting movement of the folding table 7 is limited by means of the at least one stop element, wherein the inclination of the folding table 7 can be adjusted, for example by appropriate positioning of the stop element. The support element 7.1 is then pivoted manually, electrically, pneumatically and / or hydraulically about the first pivot axis S 1 into the horizontal position.FIG. 4 shows, on the basis of images A 1 to A 5 of the occupant protection device I, a sequence for positioning the folding table 7 from the stowage position into the use position in an alternative embodiment of the folding table 7.In a first illustration A 1 of FIG. 4, the folding table 7 is shown in a stowage position, wherein the support element 7.1 projects over the holding struts 7.2 in sections in the direction of the vehicle roof 1.1. For example, the support element 7.1 is arranged at the height of a headrest of the further vehicle seat 6. The occupant 2 can thus be able to direct his gaze comparatively comfortably on the user interface, for example a touch-sensitive display unit and / or another input unit, which is arranged on the support element 7.1.To assume the use position of the folding table 7, the support element 7.1, as shown in a second illustration A2, is pushed between the retaining struts 7.2 in the direction of the vehicle floor 1.2, for example by means of guide rails, not shown in more detail.The support element 7.1 can then be pivoted via the first pivot axis S 1, which is displaced with the support element 7.1, from bottom to top into an intermediate position shown by dashed lines, as is shown in a third illustration A 3.Also in the intermediate position, the first surface side 7.3 with the airbag outlet opening is positioned in the direction of the vehicle roof 1.1, so that the airbag 4 can deploy upward between the further vehicle seat 6 and the occupant 2.From this intermediate position, the support element 7.1, as shown in the fourth illustration A4, can be displaced between the retaining struts 7.2 along the latter upwards, that is to say in the direction of the vehicle roof 1.1.The folding table 7 is then pivoted, as shown in a fifth illustration A 5, about the second pivot axis S 2 in the direction of the occupant 2 and the support element 7.1 into its horizontal position.In an alternative embodiment, not shown in more detail, the folding table 7 is arranged in its stowage position in the region of the vehicle roof 1.1 and is integrated, for example, into a roof lining. The use position is then taken from the roof lining.In the event of a detected collision imminent for the vehicle 1 or in the event of a detected collision, the airbag 4, when the folding table 7 has the stowage position, deploys from the support element 7.1, which is arranged, for example, horizontally in the region of the roof lining, in the direction of the occupant 2, that is to say from top to bottom. A mechanism of the folding table 7 is configured such that the support element 7.1 performs a 180° rotation, so that the first surface side with the airbag outlet opening is arranged in the direction of the occupant 2.In the use position of the folding table 7, the support element 7.1 is arranged horizontally in front of the occupant 2, so that the airbag 4 deploys from the support element 7.1 in front of the occupant 2.All exemplary embodiments have in common that the airbag 4 deploys, for assuming its operative position, in the event of a detected collision imminent to the vehicle or in the event of a detected collision of the vehicle, both in the use position and in the stowage position of the folding table 7 from one and the same first surface side 7.3 of the folding table 7, at least in sections in front of an upper body and / or in the direction of the upper body of an occupant 2 located on the vehicle seat 3.List of reference characters1 Vehicle 1.1 Vehicle roof 1.2 Vehicle floor 2 Occupant 2.1 Head 3 Vehicle seat 4 Airbag 5 Driver 6 Further vehicle seat 6.1 Seat back 7 Folding table 7.1 Support element 7.2 Retaining strut 7.3 First surface side 7.4 Second surface side A 1 to A 5 Images I Occupant protection device S 1 First pivot axis S 2 Second further pivot axisReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2021 003 331 A1

[0002] DE 10 2021 111 034 A1

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 11,091,110 B2

[0004]

Claims

Occupant protection device (I) for a vehicle (1) having a folding table (7) assigned to a vehicle seat (3) and positionable between a use position and a stowage position, and having an airbag (4) integrated therein, characterized in that, in order to assume its active position, the airbag (4) deploys at least in sections in front of an upper body and / or in the direction of the upper body of an occupant (2) located on the vehicle seat (3) in the event of a detected collision imminent to the vehicle (1) or in the event of a detected collision of the vehicle (1) both in the use position and in the stowage position of the folding table (7) from one and the same first surface side (7.3) of the folding table (7).Occupant protection device (I) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the airbag (4) is integrated into a bearing element (7.1) of the folding table (7).Occupant protection device (I) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the bearing element (7.1) has an airbag outlet opening which is closed by means of an airbag cover on a surface side which, in the use position, faces a vehicle roof (1.1) and, in the stowage position, faces the occupant (2) on the vehicle seat (3).Occupant protection device (I) according to Claim 3, characterized in that a predetermined breaking point and / or tear seam running circumferentially in sections is or are introduced into the bearing element (7.1) for releasing the airbag outlet opening.Occupant protection device (I) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the folding table (7) in its stowage position bears against a seat back (6.1) of a further vehicle seat (6) arranged in front of the vehicle seat (3) or is arranged in sections within the seat back (6.1).Occupant protection device (I) according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the bearing element (7.1) has a user interface.Occupant protection device (I) according to one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the bearing element (7.1) is held between two holding struts (7.2) running parallel to one another, is arranged in sections such that it can be displaced along said holding struts and / or can be pivoted about at least one first pivot axis (S1).Occupant protection device (I) according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the retaining struts (7.2) are fastened pivotably by one end to the seat back (6.1) of the further vehicle seat (6) or to a vehicle floor (1.2), wherein a pivoting range is delimited by means of at least one stop element.Occupant protection device (I) according to one of Claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the support element (7.1) and / or the retaining struts (7.2) have or have at least one fixing element for fixing the support element (7.1) to the retaining struts (7.2) both in the use position and in the stowage position.Vehicle (1) comprising an occupant protection device (I) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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