Scooter-like vehicle and protective device

Abstract

Scooter-like vehicle (10), comprising - a main part (11) with a front part (12) and a rear part (13), wherein a space (16) is provided between the rear part (13) and the front part (12), - at least one footrest (15) between the front part (12) and the rear part (13), and - a steering arrangement (17) which is held at the front part (12), where - the rear part (13) has a seat (14), and - the front part comprises a protective device (20) with an inflation device (26), an inflatable airbag (21), a guide element and a receiving unit, wherein the airbag (21) is in fluid communication with the inflation device (26) and is configured to inflate from an initial state to an inflated state in the direction of a driver (30) driving the vehicle (10) when it is filled with gas by the inflation device (26), the receiving unit defines a receiving space in which the airbag (21) is received in its initial state, wherein the receiving unit includes a door (23) configured to be opened or removed when the airbag (21) inflates, characterized in that the guide element (28) is also received in the receiving space in the initial state and is configured to guide the unfolding airbag (21) in a substantially upward direction (d) towards the upper body (31) of the driver.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a scooter-like vehicle according to claim 1 and a protective device according to claim 10.

[0002] It is common and widespread to equip passenger vehicles with protective devices to increase the safety of the occupants during vehicle use. For example, it is known to provide protective devices that include an inflatable airbag, which, in the event of a critical incident such as an accident, forms a protective barrier and restraint element for the occupant. Such protective devices incorporating an airbag are known, for example, from DE 103 59 407 A1, DE 10 2005 032 335 A1, and DE 10 2012 014 600 A1.

[0003] Over time, protective devices for different vehicle types have been optimized with the aim of adapting them to specific vehicle characteristics and particular occupant configurations. For example, special protective devices were developed for motorcycles to provide better airbag protection for motorcyclists.

[0004] However, the technology still offers potential for optimization with regard to certain vehicle types, such as scooter-like vehicles like mopeds. Although protective devices with inflatable airbags have generally been proposed for scooter-like vehicles, further potential exists to improve the effectiveness and performance of these devices. Scooter-like vehicles typically have a main body in a step-through design, so that it has a front and a rear section, with a gap between the front and rear sections. The main body usually includes a rigid main frame, so that the front section comprises a front frame section and the rear section a rear frame section, and the front and rear frame sections are connected by a middle frame section below the gap. At least one footrest is supported by this middle frame section.The rear section includes a seat, and the front section carries a steering mechanism that supports at least one front wheel. Due to the space between the rear and front sections, scooter-like vehicles have a different frame shape compared to motorcycles, and consequently, a different rider geometry. For example, the rider's legs are positioned essentially in front of the rider, between the seat and the front section.

[0005] It is known to provide a protective device with a folded airbag in the front part of a scooter-like vehicle, such that the airbag deploys towards the driver when filled with gas. Depending on the driver's seating position, there is a risk that the airbag will become lodged against the driver's knees and / or shins, leaving the driver's upper body essentially unprotected.

[0006] From US Regulation 2018 / 0208144A1, it is known that the airbag unit with the airbag is positioned relatively high, namely just below the steering wheel, and that the opening of the receiving device is oriented essentially upwards. This requires a relatively large amount of additional installation space.

[0007] EP 1 354 791 A2 proposes arranging the airbag in its folded state in the vehicle seat in front of the driver. A disadvantage of this arrangement of the protective device is that the overall geometry must ensure that the driver's knees are spaced far enough apart to allow the airbag to deploy between them.

[0008] The generic patent US 2005 / 0040628A1 discloses a scooter-like vehicle with a protective device incorporating an airbag. The airbag of this protective device is located below the handlebars behind the front fairing in a receiving unit and initially deploys primarily towards the rider. A retaining strap is also provided, extending from the airbag to the scooter seat, which prevents the airbag from deploying forward upon impact with the rider. This retaining strap remains outside the receiving unit even when the airbag is folded into its initial state.

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide an advanced protection technology for scooter-like vehicles, in particular with a focus on improved performance and reliability of protective devices for vehicles of the described type.

[0010] The aforementioned purpose is achieved by a scooter-like vehicle according to claim 1 and by a protective device according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0011] A scooter-like vehicle is provided, comprising a main section with a front section, a rear section with a seat, and at least one footrest between the front section and the frame section. A space is provided between the rear section and the front section. The front section carries a steering device and includes a protective device with an inflatable airbag. In its initial state, this airbag is received in a receiving unit and is designed to deploy towards a driver when inflated. According to the invention, the protective device includes a guide element, also received in the receiving unit in its initial state, which is designed to direct the deploying airbag substantially upwards towards the driver's upper body.

[0012] In other words, a scooter-like vehicle is proposed that includes a protective device with a guide element designed to ensure the proper deployment of the airbag in front of the driver's upper body. This guide element prevents the deploying airbag from being unintentionally blocked by vehicle parts or by the driver's lower body parts, such as legs or knees, located near the protective device. In this way, a scooter-like vehicle with a highly reliable and effective protective device is provided.

[0013] The term "scooter" can generally refer to any motorized vehicle with a step-through or similar frame. Scooter-type vehicles differ conceptually from kick scooters or e-scooters, which typically do not have a seat. A scooter-type vehicle may, for example, be a motor scooter with limited power, such as up to 11 kW or up to 56 kW, or with limited speed, such as up to 25 km / h or up to 45 km / h. A step-through frame, also known as an open frame, low-profile frame, or low-step frame, is a frame with a low frame section that allows a person to step between the front and rear frame sections. This creates a space between the front and rear frame sections, which is typically used to rest the rider's legs behind the front frame section when seated on the rear seat.The at least one footrest can be an essentially flat platform between the front and rear sections for the driver's feet, but it is also conceivable to provide structurally separate footrests for each foot between the front and rear sections.

[0014] The protective device includes an inflatable airbag. The airbag is inflated and thus deployed (expanded) when the protective device's inflation mechanism is activated. The airbag may be made of textile material or another flexible material to allow it to be folded and unfolded. The protective device may also include a sensor assembly, which may contain, for example, an accelerometer. The sensor assembly is configured to activate the protective device's inflation mechanism by triggering the inflation device when it detects a predetermined acceleration, based on a signal from the accelerometer, that is equal to or greater than a defined threshold. The inflation devices may be pyrotechnic and / or pressurized gas devices that release inflation gas at a high volume flow rate, thus rapidly inflating the airbag.The protective device is configured to eject the deploying airbag in the direction of a driver inside the vehicle, so that in the event of a critical incident the airbag can provide a shielding and restraint function for the driver.

[0015] As mentioned, the protective device according to the invention comprises a guide element designed to direct the airbag substantially upwards towards the driver's upper body during deployment. In this context, a substantially upward direction of the airbag can be understood as a deployment movement in which the upward component is greater than the lateral component. In other words, the guide element is designed to limit the lateral deployment of the airbag to a predetermined extent. With respect to vehicle parts of the scooter-like vehicle, substantially upwards can be defined as a direction opposite to a direction substantially downwards towards the at least one footrest. The deployed airbag can have a rather strictly vertical extension or, alternatively, an inclination towards the driver's upper body.The deployed airbag can cover an airbag area in front of the driver, predominantly distributed across the upper body compared to the lower body, e.g., the driver's legs. For example, at least 60% or at least 70% of the deployed airbag volume can be located in front of the upper body.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the steering device comprises a handlebar, and the protective device is positioned in the front section between the handlebar and at least one footrest. This creates a suitable position for the protective device, enabling the deploying airbag to be safely guided to the driver's upper body by the guide element. Furthermore, the selected position of the protective device and the advantageous guide element prevent unintentional collisions of the deploying airbag with vehicle parts or the driver's lower body. Preferably, the protective device is positioned closer to the handlebar than to the footrest. For example, the protective device can be positioned near the handlebar, below it.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the guide element consists of a flexible material, for example a fabric, and is folded in its initial state. This allows the guide element to be stored compactly within the protective device. Furthermore, a guide element made of a textile material can be advantageous for providing a lightweight protective device.

[0018] As mentioned, the protective device includes a receiving unit, often in the form of a housing. This receiving unit defines a receiving space. It includes a door designed to open or be removed when the airbag inflates. The receiving unit may include a base opposite the door, to which the airbag and the guide element may be attached. Upon deployment of the protective device, the door must be at least partially removed to allow the airbag to deploy towards the driver. In one embodiment, the door is connected to the remaining receiving unit by means of at least one hinge and at least one separating line, as is commonly known from front airbag units in passenger cars. The hinge and separating line are typically grooves in the plastic material of a portion of the receiving unit.

[0019] The deployment of the airbag should not be significantly impeded by the guide element. For this reason, the inner cross-section of the guide element should not be too small. Therefore, it is preferable that at least part of the deployed guide element is located outside the airbag's receiving space.

[0020] To ensure that the guide element unfolds together with the unfolding airbag, it is preferred that at least one section of the folded guide element is arranged between the folded airbag and the door of the receiving unit.

[0021] It is particularly preferred that the protective device comprises a housing in which the guide element and the airbag are stored in a folded initial state when the airbag is not deployed. Thus, both the guide element and the airbag are designed such that they can be folded together for compact storage when the protective device is in standby mode, and both the guide element and the airbag are deployed when the protective device is activated. Folding and storing the guide element and the airbag in the housing provides a compact arrangement with advantageous protection of the airbag and the guide element from environmental influences.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, the deployed guide element has a partial shell shape. A partial shell-shaped guide element provides smooth and reliable guidance for an inflating airbag. The partial shell shape comprises an open cross-section, with the opening of the half-shell facing upwards. The partial shell shape can have a hammock-like form, creating a spherical segment that may have a smaller circumference than a hemispherical shape. A hammock-like shape allows for efficient guidance with a compact and slim guide element. According to a further preferred embodiment, the guide element comprises a semi-conical or semi-cylindrical section.A guide element with a semi-conical or semi-cylindrical cross-section provides a smooth and reliable guidance function for an inflating airbag with an essentially regular guide shape. The cross-section of a semi-conical or semi-cylindrical section can widen continuously towards the upward-facing opening of the guide element. This widening cross-section gently guides the inflating airbag towards the driver's upper body and allows it to deploy.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the guide element has a tubular shape. A tubular guide element forms a guide channel with a closed cross-section and can thus advantageously prevent the deploying airbag from coming into contact with vehicle parts, e.g., with the front part or a housing of the protective device.

[0024] The above-mentioned forms of the guide element, such as the half-shell shape, the semi-conical or semi-cylindrical cross-section, or the tubular shape, can generally refer to an unfolded state of the guide element.

[0025] The invention further relates to a protective device designed for attachment to a front part of a scooter-like vehicle, wherein the protective device comprises: - an inflation device, - a recording unit, - an inflatable airbag configured to inflate when filled with gas by the inflation device, - a flexible guide element configured to guide the deploying airbag, where - the inflatable airbag and the guide element are folded into the receiving unit in an initial state, - the inflatable airbag and the guide element unfold when the airbag inflates, so that at least a section of the airbag and at least a section of the guide element are outside the receiving unit when the airbag is inflated.

[0026] This makes it possible to provide a protective device for scooter-like vehicles that ensures the proper deployment of the inflatable airbag. The guide element prevents the deploying airbag from being unintentionally blocked by vehicle parts or by lower body parts of the rider, such as legs or knees, located near the protective device. By providing a defined guide for the deploying airbag, the proposed protective device is highly reliable and enables smooth and controlled airbag deployment.

[0027] Preferably, the guiding element consists essentially of textile material, for example an airbag-like fabric, so that the guiding element is lightweight and robust.

[0028] The invention is described below with reference to exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying schematic drawings. Functionally similar elements shown in the drawings are designated by the same or similar reference numerals, and their description is not repeated.

[0029] The figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a scooter-like vehicle with a protective device according to a first embodiment in a ready state, Fig. 2 the scooter-like vehicle with the protective device activated so that the airbag is in a deployed state, Fig. 3 the protective device of the scooter-like vehicle Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in a schematic cross-sectional representation in the ready state of the Fig. 1, in which the airbag of the protective device is in an initial state, Fig. 4 the protective device of the Fig. 3, after its inflation device has been triggered, so that the airbag is in its deployed state, Fig. 5 a part of what is in Fig. 4 is shown, in a view from the direction of R in Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 a very schematic representation of parts of a further embodiment, namely an unfolded airbag and a tubular guide element.

[0030] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a scooter-like vehicle 10 according to the invention with a driver 30 who drives the scooter-like vehicle 10. The scooter-like vehicle 10 comprises a continuous main part 11 with a front part 12 and a rear part 13. The rear part 13 includes a seat 14 on which the driver 30 sits as shown in the figure. The front part 12 carries a steering device 17 with a handlebar 18, which is configured so that it can be used by the driver 30 to steer the front wheel of the scooter-like vehicle 10. The front part includes a front frame section, which is generally at least partially covered. For this reason, a front panel 19 facing the driver can be provided. This front panel 19 can, for example, be made of a plastic material and may include, for example, a glove compartment. Since the main part 11 is designed as a step-through, a clearance 16 is provided between the rear part 13 and the front part 12.The space 16 can be used by the rider 10 to comfortably mount and dismount the scooter-like vehicle 10 and to position at least part of the rider's lower body 32, e.g., legs or knees, in front of the seat 14 when the rider 30 is riding the scooter-like vehicle 10. Thus, at least part of the rider's lower body 32 can be positioned between the front part 12 and the rear part 13 during use of the scooter-like vehicle 10. Furthermore, the scooter-like vehicle 10 includes at least one footrest 15 on which the rider 30 can place his feet. In the illustrated embodiment, the footrest is divided into a section for the left foot and a section for the right foot, but in an alternative embodiment, a substantially flat platform for both of the rider's feet could be provided.

[0031] Furthermore, the scooter-like vehicle 10, namely its front part 12, includes a protective device 20. The protective device 20 includes an inflatable airbag 21, which is configured to deploy, when inflated, in a substantially upward direction d towards the rider 30. Fig. Figure 1 shows a ready state of the protective device 20, in which the airbag 21 is stored in a folded original state in a housing 23 of the protective device 20. Fig. Figure 2 shows an activated state of the protective device 20, in which the airbag 21 is deployed in front of the driver 30. In the activated state of the protective device 20, the airbag 21 forms a protective barrier and a restraint element for the driver 30. The protective device 20 is typically activated upon detection of a critical event, such as an accident. For this purpose, the protective device 20 may include a sensor assembly (not shown) configured to monitor the acceleration of the scooter-like vehicle 10 or a comparable indicative parameter and trigger the inflation of the airbag 21 upon detection of a critical acceleration value.

[0032] According to the invention, the protective device 10 has a guide element 28 which is designed to direct the airbag 21 substantially upwards towards the upper body 31 of the driver, as shown in Fig. Figure 2 shows that the guide element 28 limits the horizontal deployment direction d of the airbag 21 and ensures that a predominant part of the deployed airbag 21 is positioned in front of the rider's upper body 31 and does not get caught on the rider's knees or shins, thereby improving the rider's body protection 30. In this way, a scooter-like vehicle 10 is provided with a very reliable and well-functioning protective device 20.

[0033] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the protective device 20 can be arranged on or in a front plate 19 attached to the front frame section in a position between the handlebar 18 and the at least one footrest 15, directly below the handlebar 18, thereby creating an advantageous position for guiding the airbag 21 in a direction d towards the upper body 31 of the rider. The protective device includes a receiving unit, here in the form of a housing 23. This housing can be a separate part or it can be integrated into the front plate 19.

[0034] It will now be referred to as Fig. Reference is made to figures 3 to 5, which show the protective device 20 in detail. Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows schematic cross-sectional views, and Fig. 5 shows some elements of Fig. 4 in a view from direction R in Fig. 4. In Fig. Figure 3 shows the protective device 20 in a standby state, and in the Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows the protective device 20 in an activated state.

[0035] The protective device 20 comprises a receiving unit in the form of a housing 23, which has a base 23c, a side wall 23b and a door 23a. In the initial state of the airbag, the door 23a is connected to the rest of the housing 23 by a hinge and at least one tear line (usually grooves in a plastic part), as is generally known from airbag units, but not shown in the figures.

[0036] The housing 23 contains the airbag 21, an inflation device 26 configured to inflate the airbag 21, and the guide element 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the folded, uninflated airbag 21 is surrounded by a tearable cover 22. This is not strictly necessary but can facilitate assembly and help to unambiguously determine the position of the folded airbag 21 relative to the guide element. In the illustrated embodiment, the inflation device 26 is connected to the base 23c via a flange 27, which also connects the airbag 21 to the base, as is generally known. The guide element 22 is attached to the base 23c of the housing 23 via a fastening element 29, here in the form of an open ring.

[0037] As in Fig. As can be best seen in Figure 3, the folded guide element 28 covers at least part of the airbag 21, so that the expanding airbag 21 unfolds the guide element 28 and pushes part of it out of the housing 23 (more precisely, the remaining part of the housing to which the door 23a is or was connected). Furthermore, the door 23a is opened by the unfolding airbag 21. The unfolded guide element 28 has the shape of a "quarter shell," so that the unfolded guide element 28 and the base 23c of the housing 23 together form a half-shell, which has an opening at its upper end, thus enabling smooth guidance of the airbag 21 in the upward direction d. The tightly folded guide element alone essentially forms a trough or a "hammock" ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 5).

[0038] Fig.Figure 6 shows a second embodiment in an even more schematic representation. Here, only the base 23c of the housing 23 (or another base to which the airbag 21, the inflation device 26, and the guide element 28 are attached) is shown. In this embodiment, the deployed guide element 28 has the form of a tube that completely encloses a section of the deployed airbag 21, thus forming a complete "guide channel." This measure allows for even more precise guidance in some configurations. To guide the airbag upwards, the end of the tubular guide element 28, which is attached to the base 23c, is chamfered. The fastening element 29 here has the form of a complete ring.

[0039] In this way, it is possible to provide a protective device 20 for scooter-like vehicles 10, which ensures the proper deployment of the inflatable airbag 21. With the aid of the guide element 28, unintentional obstruction of the deploying airbag 21 by vehicle parts or by lower body parts of a rider located near the protective device 20, e.g., legs or knees, can be avoided. By providing a defined guiding function for the deploying airbag 21, the proposed protective device 20 is very reliable and enables smooth and controlled airbag deployment. Reference symbol list 10 scooter-like vehicle 11 Main part 12 front part 13 rear part 14 seats 15 footrest 16 free space 17 Steering arrangement 18 handlebars 19" front panel 20 Protective device 21 Airbag 22 case 23 Recording unit (housing) 23a Door 23b Side wall 23c floor 24-door 25 side wall 26 Inflation device 27 flange 28 guide element 29 Fastening element 30 drivers D Direction of unfolding

Claims

[1] Scooter-type vehicle (10), comprising - a main part (11) with a front part (12) and a rear part (13), wherein a space (16) is provided between the rear part (13) and the front part (12), - at least one footrest (15) between the front part (12) and the rear part (13), and - a steering arrangement (17) which is held at the front part (12), where - the rear part (13) has a seat (14), and - the front part comprises a protective device (20) with an inflation device (26), an inflatable airbag (21), a guide element and a receiving unit, wherein the airbag (21) is in fluid communication with the inflation device (26) and is configured to inflate from an initial state to an inflated state in the direction of a driver (30) driving the vehicle (10) when it is filled with gas by the inflation device (26), the receiving unit defines a receiving space in which the airbag (21) is received in its initial state, wherein the receiving unit includes a door (23) configured to be opened or removed when the airbag (21) inflates, characterized by , that the guide element (28) is also received in the receiving space in the initial state and is configured to guide the unfolding airbag (21) in a substantially upward direction (d) towards the upper body (31) of the driver. [2] Scooter-type vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by , that the main part of the vehicle defines a walk-through design. [3] Scooter-type vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the front part has a front panel (19) and that the protective device (20) is arranged in or on the front panel (19). [4] Scooter-type vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the guide element (28) consists at least partially, preferably completely, of a flexible material, preferably a textile material, and that the guide element (28) is folded in an initial state of the airbag and unfolds when the airbag is deployed. [5] Scooter-type vehicle (10) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the unfolded guide element (28) has a partial shell shape. [6] Scooter-type vehicle (10) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the unfolded guide element (28) has a semi-conical or semi-cylindrical section. [7] Scooter-type vehicle (10) according to claim 4, characterized by, that the unfolded guide element (28) has a tubular shape. [8] Scooter-type vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least a section of the guide element (28) is located outside the receiving space when the airbag (21) is deployed. [9] Scooter-type vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the airbag, in its initial state, is enclosed by a tearable cover. [10] Protective device (20) configured to be attached to a front frame part (12) of a scooter-type vehicle (10), the protective device (20) comprising the following: - an inflation device, - a recording unit, - an inflatable airbag (21) configured to inflate when filled with gas by the inflation device, - a flexible hemispherical or tube-like guide element (22), wherein - the inflatable airbag and the guide element are folded into the receiving unit in an initial state, - the inflatable airbag and the guide element unfold when the airbag expands, such that at least one section of the airbag and at least one section of the guide element are located outside the receiving unit, and - the guide element (28) is configured to direct the deploying airbag (21) in a substantially upward direction (d) towards the upper body (31) of the driver. [11] Protective device (20) according to claim 10, characterized by , that the guiding element (28) consists at least partially of textile material. [12] Protective device (20) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by, that the receiving unit has a door (23) which is designed to be opened or removed when the airbag (21) is deployed. [13] Protective device (20) according to claim 12, characterized by , that at least one section of the folded guide element (28) is arranged between the airbag (21) and the door (23a) in the initial state.

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