Restraint device

Abstract

A restraint device (1) for securing an object (14) within a vehicle, comprising a flexible surface element (6) connected to a belt (10) of the vehicle, spatially limiting the displacement of the object (14) in the event of a sudden acceleration force by means of at least one tension element (4), wherein at least one tension unit (2) for initiating a tension force (F) via the tension element (4), which can be activated by means of at least one trigger component (3) when the belt (10) is pulled by a belt retractor (11) due to a crash situation detected by a vehicle control system, reduces the modular and variable object space (15) located between the flexible surface element (6) and at least one tension unit (2) and in which the object (14) is located, thereby spatially limiting and / or fixing the object (14) in its position, characterized in thatthat the traction unit (2) is kinematically connected to the at least one traction element (4) and the at least one release component (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a restraint device designed to secure an object in a lying, sitting or standing position within a vehicle, comprising a flexible surface element which spatially confines the object by means of at least one tension element in the event of a sudden occurrence of acceleration forces or deceleration.

[0002] To transport animals, especially pets, in vehicles, transport boxes and devices are used. Numerous shapes and designs are available on the market, which are mounted on the back seat or in the trunk of the vehicle.

[0003] The transport boxes represent an important safety measure to protect the occupants and to restrain the animals in order to limit disturbances to the vehicle occupants.

[0004] From DE 10 2010 028 757 A1, a carrier device for a motor vehicle for restraining animals inside and outside the vehicle is known. This device consists of a plurality of panels forming a hollow enclosure for the animals. The carrier device is connected to the motor vehicle by means of at least one strap, which has a fastening mechanism at both ends. When corresponding acceleration forces occur, the shape of the carrier device is maintained by the frame supporting the panel and held in position by the strap securing it to the vehicle. This transfers the forces to the motor vehicle and restrains the animal.

[0005] A restraint system for animals is also known from DE 20 2016 103 555 U1. To improve the safety of animals in a vehicle, the restraint system is connected to a box attached to at least one of the vehicle's seat belts. Additionally, the front of the box is at least partially overlapped by a canopy. The canopy is attached to the vehicle's seat belts by loops. This allows the lashing straps, which are associated with quick-release devices, to be attached to the seat belt buckles in the vehicle. This ensures that the box is held securely in its designated position in the event of a collision. Furthermore, due to a flexible support on the opposite side of the canopy, which mitigates the impact of the box, this restraint system represents a significant safety measure for the animal's protection.

[0006] EP 3 663 141 A1 discloses a vehicle seat belt arrangement that ensures correct restraint by the lap belt and shoulder belt, even when the occupant has reclined their seat significantly. A primary shoulder belt, running from a buckle over the occupant's chest and shoulder and engaging a guide and / or retractor / tensioner connected to a pillar, such as a B-pillar, of the vehicle body, is connected to a substantially parallel secondary shoulder belt. This secondary shoulder belt also runs from the buckle over the occupant's chest and (the same) shoulder and engages a secondary guide and / or retractor / tensioner connected to an upper part of the seat back, near the headrest and the occupant's head, on the same side of the seat as a lap belt anchor point.

[0007] These restraint systems with transport boxes and carriers become problematic in a crash involving sudden acceleration forces. While the carrier or restraint system and the box are securely fixed on all sides to the rear seat of the vehicle, this ensures the safety of the occupants, but not the escape of the object, such as a dog, inside the transport box or carrier. In a crash, the animal could then be thrown against the inner wall of the transport box or carrier.

[0008] For this purpose, the integration of an airbag in the area of ​​the object space would be conceivable.

[0009] Against this background, the invention aims to provide a restraint system for vehicles that further improves the safety of occupants and objects, e.g., animals lying down, standing, or sitting, during a crash. The goal is to reduce the undesirable displacement of the object, particularly the pet, as a result of a crash.

[0010] This problem is solved with a restraint device according to the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to particularly advantageous further developments of the invention.

[0011] According to the invention, a restraint device is provided in which, when a triggering force is applied to the triggering component, the pulling unit initiates constant tensile forces by means of the pulling element and transmits the resulting movement uniformly to the surface element. The triggering of the release component is coupled to the webbing of the vehicle's seat belt system and is effected, in particular, by triggering the vehicle's internal belt retractor. This achieves, for the first time, a reduction in the object's space without simultaneously causing the object to shift in a crash situation. Thus, by initiating the movement of the pulling element onto the surface element, any displacement of the object resulting from a crash situation can be reliably prevented.

[0012] According to another promising design, at least one airbag can be assigned to the surface element in order to reduce damage to the object as a result of a crash.

[0013] Particularly preferred is the surface element, such as a net, which is detachably fixed within the vehicle using a fixing device, such as a variably adjustable loop and / or a snap fastener that allows the surface element to be connected to the vehicle. This allows a rapid tensile movement corresponding to the tensile force of the tensioning element to be transferred to the surface element in the event of a crash, causing it to leave its initial position.

[0014] The surface element may additionally have one or more detachably fixed pre-fixations located between the fixing device and the surface element. In a crash situation, this pre-fixation can be released by one or more separation points, such as a tear seam, which may consist of dimensionally stable, deformable materials. At least one fixing of the restraint system in the vehicle, for example by means of at least one Isofix bracket, remains intact even in a crash situation.

[0015] Furthermore, an advantageous embodiment of the invention can be achieved by anchoring the surface element, in particular, to an Isofix bracket and / or in a belt buckle of the vehicle, thereby enabling the belt retractor of the vehicle to be activated during driving.

[0016] Furthermore, a modification of the invention has proven particularly promising when the surface element is laterally connected on both sides to a guide that facilitates operation of the surface element and simultaneously defines or limits the object space. The guide can, in particular, be a rail and / or magnetic element, allowing the surface element to be variably moved. In this way, the object space can be maintained and adapted to the different sizes of the object. Moreover, the safety function of the surface element for spatially separating the object from the vehicle occupants during travel can be ensured. Furthermore, the use of the guide enables the object space to be reduced in size and the object to be fixed in place during a crash, because immediate separation of the surface element from, for example, the vehicle's occupants is not possible.a rail and / or a magnetic element is possible due to the tensile forces occurring on the tensile element.

[0017] An additional preferred embodiment of the invention is that the object space is formed by at least one segment of the surface element and in particular by one or more dimensionally stable deformable materials, such as polystyrene and / or aluminum foam and / or composite materials, in order to stabilize the surface element in its shape outside of a crash.

[0018] Another particularly practical embodiment of the invention is achieved by providing the pulling element with at least one coupling element, which enables the surface element to be detached from the pulling element after a crash situation in order to remove the object quickly and without damage.

[0019] Preferably, the release component should be designed such that the forces generated on the webbing during a crash are transferred to the release component with sufficient force, and without loss, to initiate the tensile force on the pulley element via the pulley unit. For example, the seatbelt retractor can be retracted by 70 to 90 mm at a retraction speed of 100 mm / s in 8 to 10 ms when a force of 500 N is applied to the webbing. A release speed of at least 5 m / s must be applied to the webbing of the seatbelt retractor to trigger the release component and prevent, for example, false triggering and / or premature triggering.

[0020] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is achieved by applying, for example, a mechanical, pneumatic, or pyrotechnic preload force from a power source to the pulling unit in order to activate the pulling force on the pulling element. Furthermore, a locking mechanism prevents the extension of the pulling element's travel in a crash situation.

[0021] The power generator, which may be equipped with a gas spring, for example, can be fitted with a deflection mechanism for the pulling element, for example according to the pulley principle, or with a lever kinematic system to increase the pulling distance.

[0022] Additionally, according to the design of the restraint device, an electrical signal originating from, for example, the vehicle's on-board computer and / or ABS sensors and / or acceleration sensors or the like can be used to activate the towing unit.

[0023] Another particularly promising embodiment of the invention is achieved by incorporating a force and / or travel limiter into the pulling unit. After activation of the triggering component, the pulling element is rapidly retracted with maximum speed and force. As soon as the object or animal begins to move forward into the taut net, the pulling unit releases or suspends the pulling element at a specific, preferably constant, force level in order to limit the force. In particular, this reduces the risk of injury to the dog's body due to the limited force applied.

[0024] Additionally, as an alternative embodiment of the invention, the travel limitation of the pulling element could be achieved by using an object surface as a boundary. This object surface could, for example, consist of a dimensionally stable material that is washable, flexibly removable, rubberized, and / or has a flap facing outwards towards the vehicle. Thus, in a crash situation, the space around the object could be reduced by means of the object surface until the boundary is reached, thereby fixing the object in place. The boundary provided by the object surface thus reduces damage to the object. Furthermore, the object surface is oriented transversely to the direction of travel, so that the object is also oriented transversely to the direction of travel.

[0025] According to another promising embodiment, the restraint device can be mounted, for example, on the seat surface of the rear bench or the front seat, or in the luggage compartment of the vehicle. Additionally, according to this embodiment of the restraint device, it is possible to further secure the object within the object space using a fastening component, such as a tether, particularly for pets.

[0026] The invention allows for numerous embodiments. To further illustrate its basic principle, one of these is shown in the drawing and described below. This shows in Fig. 1 a side view of a restraint device according to the invention with a flexible surface element in a rest position; Fig. 2 a side view of a restraint device according to the invention with a flexible surface element in a usage situation; Fig. 3 a front view of the restraint device according to the invention in the rest position in cross-section; Fig. 4 A front view of a train unit in rest position in section; Fig. 5 A front view of a train unit in use, in section.

[0027] A restraint device 1 according to the invention for securing an object 14 on an object surface 13 within a vehicle (not shown in detail) is described below with reference to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 is described in more detail. The restraint device 1 is equipped with a pulling unit 2 for transmitting tensile forces F to a pulling element 4, which, in a crash situation, reduces the object space 15 in which the object 14 is located by means of a coupling element 5, thereby fixing the object 14 or at least significantly reducing its displacement. This reduces the potential for the object 14 to fall by means of spatial fixation.

[0028] In the Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the rest position of the restraint device 1 in a side view from the right. In the rest position, the surface element 6 is connected to the vehicle by means of a pre-fixation 7 and a fixing element 8. The coupling element 5 connects the surface element 6 to the tensioning element 4. The path of the tensioning element 4 and the surface element 6 define the object space 15 in which the object 14 is located on an object surface 13. In the Fig. In the resting position shown in Figure 1, the triggering component 3 is not activated. Furthermore, the surface element 6 is connected to the vehicle by means of an Isofix bracket 9.

[0029] In the Fig. Figure 2 shows the position in a crash scenario. In this operating situation, the release component 3 is activated by transferring the tensile force of a belt 10, which is connected to a belt retractor 11 installed in the vehicle, to the pull unit 2. When a release tensile force F is applied... A A force generator 16 equipped with a gas spring reacts at the trigger component 3, which is located in the Fig. 4 and Fig. The traction unit 2, shown in more detail in section 5, is located to introduce a tensile force F onto the traction element 4. The path of the traction element 2 is thereby shortened, the object space 15 is reduced by the surface element 6, and the object 14 is fixed. Due to the tensile force F applied to the traction element 4, the surface element 6 detaches from the fixing means 8 at the separation point of the pre-fixation 7.

[0030] Furthermore, in the Fig. Figure 3 shows the front view of the traction unit 2 in its rest position from a rear perspective of the vehicle interior. The traction unit 2 extends across the width of the vehicle or the vehicle interior and is connected to it via its lateral ends. This ensures that the traction elements 4 are subjected to the tractive force F evenly.

[0031] The Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 illustrates the function of the pulling unit 2 for generating tensile forces F at the pulling element 4 and the coupling element 5. If a release tensile force F is present at the release component 3... AIn a crash situation, the gas spring of the force generator 16 is activated, and a tensile force F is transferred to the tension element 4. By deflecting the tension element 4, its length is doubled. Furthermore, a force / displacement limiter 17 prevents damage to the object 14 in a crash situation when the object space 15 is reduced. After a crash, the object 14 can be removed by simply separating the coupling element 5 from the surface element 6. Reference symbol list 1 Restraint device 2 train units 3 Trigger component 4 Pull element 5 coupling element 6 surface element 7 Prefixation 8 Fixatives 9 Isofix brackets 10 strap 11 Belt retractor 12 Belt anchor point 13 object area 14 Item 15 object space 16 power generators 17 Force / travel limiter F tractive force F A Release force

Claims

[1] A restraint device (1) for securing an object (14) within a vehicle, comprising a flexible surface element (6) connected to a belt (10) of the vehicle, spatially limiting the displacement of the object (14) in the event of a sudden acceleration force by means of at least one tension element (4), wherein at least one tension unit (2) for initiating a tension force (F) via the tension element (4), which can be activated by means of at least one trigger component (3) when the belt (10) is pulled by a belt retractor (11) due to a crash situation detected by a control system of the vehicle, reduces the modular and variable object space (15) located between the flexible surface element (6) and at least one tension unit (2) and in which the object (14) is located, thereby spatially limiting and / or fixing the object (14) in its position, characterized by, that the traction unit (2) is kinematically connected to the at least one traction element (4) and the at least one release component (3). [2] Restraint device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the surface element (6) is kinematically coupled by at least one coupling element (5). [3] Restraint securing unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the triggering component is a carabiner and / or a loop. [4] Restraint device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the flexible surface element (6) reduces the object space (15) by means of the coupling element (5) and tensile forces (F) excited by the pulling unit (2) on the pulling element (4). [5] Restraint device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a force generator (16) located in the traction unit (2) exerts at least one release traction force (F) on the release component (3).A ), introduces at least one tensile force (F) at the tensile element (4). [6] Restraint securing unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the surface element (6) can be detached by the coupling element (5) under existing tensile stress. [7] Restraint device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the triggering component (3) is triggered by sudden acceleration forces and / or at least one electronic signal. [8] Restraint device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the surface element (6) and the traction unit (2) can be detachably fixed within the vehicle with at least one fixing means (7). [9] Restraint device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the pulling unit (2) is equipped with a pulley deflection to achieve an increased pulling distance and a power generator (16) can be activated via the release component (3). [10] Restraint device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pulling element (4) is self-locking through the pulling unit (2), thereby preventing further extension of the pulling element (4) in the event of a crash situation detected by the vehicle's control system.

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