Cargo bike and occupant protection device for a cargo bike

Abstract

Cargo bicycle (1) with a driver's seat (2) and a transport container device (3) positioned in front of the driver's seat (2) with at least one seating device (13) for at least one person (23) and in particular at least one child, characterized in that the seating device (13) is equipped with at least one occupant protection device (4) with at least one airbag device (5) and at least one headrest device (6) and at least one belt force-limited belt device (7), so that the seating device (13) and the airbag device (5) and the headrest device (6) and the belt device (7) interact in a coordinated manner in the event of an accident.

Description

The present invention relates to a cargo bicycle having a driver's seat and a transport container device arranged upstream of the driver's seat, which transport container device comprises at least one seat device for at least one person and in particular for at least one child.The number of bicycle riders in daily road traffic is increasing more and more. The compression of the traffic of different road users also increases the risk of accidents between bicycles and motor vehicles. The increasing number of at least partially muscle-powered or purely electric bicycles for transporting loads and persons, so-called load bicycles or cargo bicycles, likewise increases greatly. Because of the electric drive of the bicycles, their speed is often comparatively high, which also entails an increased risk of accident.Due to the additional weight to be transported, the load bicycles usually have very stiff frame structures. These are oriented at the ideal force flow, so that a bicycle structure that is as torsionally stiff as possible is provided. The rigid frame structure is also intended to enable a certain occupant protection in the prior art.However, in the event of a collision of the bicycle with a vehicle and, for example, a 90° impact of the bicycle on the door of the car, almost no impact energy can be dissipated via the rigid frame structure. Only the often correspondingly small front wheel allows a small deformation path for reducing the kinetic energy.In the event of a collision, this concept often leads to the occupants (generally children) and the driver of the load bicycle being subjected to extreme acceleration by the abrupt and uncontrolled braking. Crash tests have shown that the collision-induced movements of the cyclist and also of the occupants are usually carried out very uncontrolled. Therefore, in the prior art, load bicycles with belts are used as occupant protection device in order to fix the occupants as securely and tightly as possible.In contrast, it is the object of the present invention to improve the protection of the occupants of load bicycles during a collision with a vehicle or other obstacles.This object is achieved by a load bicycle having the features of claim 1. an occupant protection device according to the invention is the subject matter of claim 10. Further advantages and features of the present invention are evident from the general description and the description of the exemplary embodiment.The load bicycle according to the invention comprises at least one driver's seat and a transport container device arranged upstream of the driver's seat (in the direction of travel). The transport container device is equipped with at least one seat device for at least one person and in particular for at least one child. The seat device is equipped with at least one occupant protection device. The occupant protection device comprises at least one airbag device and at least one head restraint device and at least one belt device limited by belt force. In particular, the seat device and the airbag device and the headrest device and the belt device can thereby interact in a coordinated manner with one another in the event of an accident event.The load bicycle according to the invention offers many advantages. A considerable advantage is offered by the occupant protection device with its cooperating safety components. As a result, the risk of injury for the occupants and in particular for children in the event of an accident can be significantly reduced. The arrangement of the airbag device, the head restraint device and the belt device in the region of the seat device enables a combined safety system which ensures a comprehensive reduction of the acceleration load on the occupants of the transport container device. As a result, hazardous loads on the head and the cervical spine can be reliably prevented even in the case of load bicycles with particularly rigid frame structures.In an advantageous embodiment, the load bicycle is equipped with at least one cross member device arranged in front of the seat device in the direction of travel. At least one inflatable airbag of the airbag device is arranged in and / or on the cross member device. This enables the airbag to be accommodated in a structurally uncomplicated and well-protected manner. At the same time, such a housing is particularly advantageous for the effectiveness of the airbag device. The cross member device extends in particular at least partially through the receiving space and / or above the receiving space of the transport container device. The cross member device can be fastened in particular to the transport container device and / or to a frame structure of the load bicycle.The airbag device comprises in particular at least one gas generator and at least one triggering electronics and at least one sensor device. In particular, the airbag device is suitable and designed to register an accident by means of the sensor device and to selectively activate the gas generator by means of the triggering electronics, so that the airbag is inflated. In particular, an acceleration profile can be detected with the sensor device. In particular, at least one airbag and preferably at least one airbag device are provided for the seats of the seat device.In an advantageous embodiment, the cross member device is designed as a protective bracket or comprises at least one such bracket. In particular, the protective bracket is movable and / or removable (fastened to the transport container device and / or a frame structure of the load wheel). In particular, access to the seat device is thereby facilitated. For example, the protective bracket is pivotable and / or foldable. This enables a particularly comfortable entry or exit to the at least one seat. The protective bracket comprises in particular at least one bracket element and at least one connecting element for the movable and / or removable fastening of the bracket element to the transport container device and / or to a frame structure of the load wheel.It is possible and advantageous for the (entire) airbag device to be arranged in the cross member device. In particular, the cross member device also accommodates a power supply and, for example, a battery for the airbag device. This enables a particularly simple assembly of the airbag device. In addition, by replacing the cross member device, an older or used airbag device can be replaced in an inexpensive manner.In an advantageous refinement, the cross member device comprises at least one (elongate) supporting structure and, in particular, at least one upholstery arranged on the supporting structure. In particular, at least the airbag is covered by the upholstery. In particular, all components of the airbag device arranged in the cross member device are covered by the upholstery. In particular, the upholstery is suitable and designed to fail in a targeted manner and, for example, to tear at least partially, by inflation of the airbag. Tearing of the upholstery is also understood to mean tearing of a seam or the like. In particular, the airbag can freely deploy after the cushion fails.In particular, the upholstery covers the supporting structure at least on a side facing the seat device. In particular, the upholstery completely encloses the supporting structure in the circumferential direction at least where the supporting structure extends along the seat device. In particular, the upholstery comprises at least one elastic and, for example, foam-like upholstery body. In particular, the upholstery comprises at least one, in particular textile, cover. In particular, the cover surrounds the upholstery body. It is possible for the upholstery body to have at least one recess in which the airbag is arranged.In particular, the supporting structure encloses at least one housing space. In particular, at least the gas generator and / or the triggering electronics and / or the sensor device and / or the airbag are arranged in the housing space. It is possible and advantageous for the airbag to be arranged at least partially outside the housing space and / or at least partially in the region of an access opening to the housing space formed in the supporting structure. In particular, the access opening is covered by the upholstery and in particular at least by the cover.The belt device preferably comprises at least one seat belt. The seat belt has in particular at least three and preferably at least four connection points. For example, a three-point belt or a four-point belt or a five- or six-point belt is provided. In particular, the belt device is assigned to the seat device. Preferably, the belt device is at least partially fastened to the seat device and / or to the transport container device and / or to a frame structure of the load bicycle.It is preferred and advantageous that the belt device for limiting the belt force comprises at least one seat belt that is at least partially specifically resilient and / or at least one tear-off seam. In particular, the tear-off seam tears in a targeted manner under a defined load, so that the provided belt force is not exceeded. A flexible seat belt is also understood in particular to mean a flexible element coupled to the seat belt. For example, the belt buckle unit or the belt whip can be formed to be resilient. In particular, the safety belt is at least partially elastic and / or elastically connected.The limitation of the belt force is preferably designed such that the person held by the belt device can strike an already defined inflated airbag of the airbag device in the event of an accident-induced movement forward. In particular, the person can then be braked by the airbag. Such a belt device achieves the advantages of the airbag particularly well. In conjunction with the air bag, a compliant seatbelt is significantly more advantageous than the commonly very stiff straps of load bicycles.The headrest device preferably comprises at least one headrest and in particular also at least one neck support. In particular, the headrest device is integrated into at least one seat of the seat device. It is also possible and advantageous that the head restraint device can be fastened to the transport container device and / or to a frame structure of the cargo bicycle. In particular, the headrest device is designed to correspond to the seat. For example, the head restraint device is adapted to the dimensions of the seat surface and / or backrest.The head restraint device is preferably suitable and designed to counteract bending of the spinal column and in particular of the cervical spine by means of targeted support of the spinal column. In particular, the bending is caused by the person held by the belt device swinging back due to an accident.The occupant protection device according to the invention is provided in particular for a cargo bicycle, as has been described above. The occupant protection device according to the invention is in particular designed as has been described above for the occupant protection device of the load bicycle according to the invention or one of its embodiments. The occupant protection device according to the invention also achieves the object set above in a particularly advantageous manner.The load bicycle is in particular at least partially muscle-powered. The load bicycle can also be driven purely electrically. The load bicycle may be single-track or two-track. The load bicycle may include at least two or at least three or more wheels. The at least one front wheel can be arranged in front of or next to the transport container device. If the front wheel is arranged in front of the transport container device, a steerable front wheel is preferably provided. If the at least one front wheel is arranged next to the transport container device, two steerable or even rigid front wheels are preferably provided. A folding linkage can be provided.The transport container device provides in particular a receiving space for the seat device. In the context of the present invention, a transport container device is understood to mean, in addition to a trough body, also other structures suitable for arranging the seat device and, for example, also frame structures of the load wheel. The seat device is mounted in particular in or on the transport container device. The seat device is in particular at least partially surrounded by the transport container device.The seat device comprises in particular at least one (forwardly directed) seat facing in the direction of travel. The seat comprises in particular a seat surface and a backrest. The seat device can be equipped with at least two seats for one person each and in particular for one child. In particular, at least one occupant protection device is provided for each seat of the seat device. It is also possible for a common occupant protection device to be provided for the seats of the seat device. The seats of the seat device are preferably arranged at least partially next to one another. The seats of the seat device can also be arranged at least partially one behind the other. The at least two seats can also be provided by a seat device designed as a bench.For the provided seats of the seat device, a common cross member device is preferably provided. It is also possible for the seats to have at least partially their own cross member device. This is advantageous in particular if the seats are arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel.Further advantages and features of the present invention result from the exemplary embodiments which are explained below with reference to the attached figures.The figures show: FIG. 1 shows a purely schematic illustration of a load bicycle according to the invention in a sectional view; FIG. 2 shows a purely schematic detailed illustration of the load bicycle of FIG. 1 ; and FIGS. 3 a- c are purely schematic representations of the load bicycle according to the invention during an accident.FIG. 1 shows a load bicycle 1 according to the invention having a frame structure 10 and a transport container device 3 fastened to the frame structure 10.The load bicycle 1 comprises two or more wheels not shown here. For example, a steerable front wheel is arranged in front of the transport container device 3 in the direction of travel. For example, however, two steerable or rigid wheels can also be arranged next to the transport container device 3. At least one rear wheel is preferably arranged behind the transport container device 3 and the driver's seat 2.The transport container device 3 provides here a receiving space for a seat device 13 with, for example, two seats 33 arranged side by side. A person 23 and in particular a child can be seated on the seats 33 during the journey. The seats 33 each have a seat surface 43 and a backrest 53.The seats 33 are each equipped here with an occupant protection device 4. The occupant protection device 4 comprises an airbag device 5 and a head restraint device 6 and a belt force-limiting device 7.The airbag device 5 is accommodated here in a cross member device 8 designed as a protective bracket 18. In order to facilitate getting in and out, the protective bracket 18 can be folded away or removed here.The belt device 7 comprises a seat belt 17 designed at least as a three-point belt. To limit the belt force, the seat belt 17 is partially elastic and / or is designed with at least one tear-off seam 27. The headrest device 6 comprises a headrest 16 and a neck support 26.FIG. 2 shows the cross member device 8 with the airbag device 5 accommodated therein in more detail. The cross member device 8 comprises an elongate supporting structure 28, which is surrounded by a padding 38. The upholstery 38 here comprises an upholstery body 48 and, for example, an elastic foam and a textile covering 58.The airbag device 5 comprises an inflatable airbag 15, which is embedded in the cushion body 48 here and is covered by the cover 58. The airbag device 5 also comprises a gas generator 25 for inflating the airbag 15 and triggering electronics 35 and a sensor device 45. The gas generator 25 is connected to the airbag 15 via an access opening 78.With reference to FIGS. 3a to 3c, the mode of operation of the occupant protection device 4 in the event of an impact of the load bicycle 1, for example on a vehicle side door, will now be explained in more detail. The load bicycle 1 or the occupant protection device 4 are configured here as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.The triggering electronics 35 recognize the accident on the basis of a characteristic acceleration profile and ignite the gas generator 25, and the released gas then inflates the airbag 15 (see FIG. 3 a). At the same time, the person 23 being tightened moves in the direction of the airbag 15.The seat belt 17 has a corresponding elasticity in order not to brake this rotation in an unfavorable manner. For example, the belt forces are controlled in a targeted manner by the tear-off seams 27. If the belt force increases to a certain level, individual belt sections joined together fail, for example, and gradually leave more space for the movement of the person 23.Subsequently, contact occurs between the head of the person 23 and the inflated airbag 15 (see FIG. 3 b ). The airbag 15 then ensures continuous slow deceleration of the person 23 accelerated forward in the direction of travel (compare FIG. 3 c ).As soon as the load bicycle 1 comes to a standstill, the person 23 swings back into the seat 33. The head restraint device 6 then specifically supports the head and thus prevents a dangerous, rearward bending of the cervical spine. The combined system of the occupant protection device 4 presented here ensures an overall adaptation of the impact speeds and significantly reduces the severity of injury.

Claims

Load bicycle (1) having a driver seat (2) and a transport container device (3) arranged in front of the driver seat (2) and having at least one seat device (13) for at least one person (23) and in particular at least one child, characterized in that the seat device (13) is equipped with at least one occupant protection device (4) having at least one airbag device (5) and at least one head restraint device (6) and at least one belt device (7) limited in belt force, so that the seat device (13) and the airbag device (5) and the head restraint device (6) and the belt device (7) interact in a manner coordinated with one another in the event of an accident.The load bicycle (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising at least one cross member device (8) arranged in front of the seat device (13), wherein at least one inflatable airbag (15) of the airbag device (5) is arranged in and / or on the cross member device (8).The cargo bicycle (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cross member device (8) is formed as a protective bracket (18), and wherein the protective bracket (18) is movably and / or removably attached to facilitate access to the seat device (13).Load bicycle (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the cross member device (8) comprises at least one support structure (28) and at least one padding (38) arranged on the support structure (28), and wherein at least the airbag (15) is covered by the padding (38), and wherein the padding (38) is suitable and designed to fail in a targeted manner by inflation of the airbag (15).The cargo bicycle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt device (7) comprises at least one seat belt (17) with at least three and preferably at least four attachment points.Load bicycle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt device (7) comprises at least one seat belt (17) that is at least partially specifically resilient and / or at least one tear-off seam (27) for limiting the belt force.Load bicycle (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the limitation of the belt force is designed such that the person (23) held by the belt device (7) can strike an already defined inflated airbag (15) of the airbag device (5) in the event of an accident-induced movement forwards and can be braked by the airbag (15).The cargo bicycle (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the headrest device (6) comprises a headrest (16) and a neck support (26).Load bicycle (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the head restraint device (6) is suitable and designed to counteract bending of the spinal column caused by an accident-induced swinging back of the person (23) held by the belt device (7) by supporting the spinal column.Occupant protection device (4) for a load bicycle (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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