Windshield pre-damage device, windshield and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a window pre-damage device (10) for mechanically pre-damaging a windscreen (3) of a motor vehicle (1) configured as a laminated glass pane comprising two panes (4, 5), comprising a pyrotechnic bolt firing device (11) configured to fire at least one bolt (12, 13) against the windscreen (3) if necessary to pre-damage the windscreen (3). Increased reliability can be achieved in that the bolt firing device (11) has a first bolt (12) and a second bolt (13) and is configured such that, if necessary, it fires the first bolt (12) against one or first pane (4) of the windshield (3) and the second bolt (13) against the other or second pane (5) of the windshield (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield pre-damage device according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a windshield equipped with such a windshield pre-damage device. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle equipped with such a windshield.

[0002] In a collision between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian (male / female / diverse), there is a possibility that the pedestrian will collide with the windshield of the motor vehicle. A windshield is subjected to high mechanical stress during vehicle operation and is therefore relatively stable, posing a risk of injury in the event of an impact.

[0003] In order to reduce the risk of injuries to pedestrians, window pre-damage devices are known.

[0004] A generic windshield pre-damage device is known, for example, from DE 10 2020 114 695 A1. Such a windshield pre-damage device is used to mechanically pre-damage a windshield of a motor vehicle, which is configured as a laminated glass pane with two panes. For this purpose, the known windshield pre-damage device is equipped with a pyrotechnic bolt-shooting device that is configured to fire a bolt against the windshield when necessary to mechanically pre-damage the windshield. The known windshield pre-damage device is configured to fire the bolt against the outer edge of one of the two panes, with the other pane having a recess in the area of impact of the bolt.As a result, the well-known pane pre-damage device is configured so that, if necessary, only one of the two panes is pre-damaged, while the other pane remains undamaged. This significantly reduces the stability of the laminated glass pane.

[0005] DE 10 2017 210 110 A1 discloses a windshield pre-damage device which is also equipped with a pyrotechnic bolt gun which, if necessary, fires a bolt against the windshield.

[0006] From WO 2020 / 005554 A1, a window pre-damage device is known which, if necessary, damages a film that damages the two panes of the windshield configured as a laminated glass pane.

[0007] Further pane pre-damage devices, which, if necessary, shoot a bolt against one of the two panes of the laminated glass pane, are known from DE 10 2011 005 294 A1, from DE 10 2020 112 373 A1, from DE 40 16 611 A1 and from US 8 727 060 B1.

[0008] From DE 20 28 550 A a windshield pre-damage device is known in which a bolt gun is inserted into an opening in a windshield, which, if necessary, shoots two bolts directed away from each other against an opening edge surrounding the opening.

[0009] The present invention addresses the problem of providing an improved or at least a different embodiment for a windshield pre-damage device of the type described above or for a windshield equipped therewith or for a motor vehicle equipped therewith, which is characterized by high reliability and reduces the risk of injury to a pedestrian in the event of an impact.

[0010] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0011] The invention is based on the general idea of designing the bolt gun device so that, if necessary, both panes of the windshield can be pre-damaged separately. For this purpose, the bolt gun device has two separate bolts that are fired separately using pyrotechnics and are each assigned to one of the two panes. This ensures that, if necessary, both panes are pre-damaged. This enables reliable pre-damage to both panes of the windshield. A modern laminated glass pane has two panes that are connected to one another with a film, in particular glued together. The two panes can be designed as safety glass. For this purpose, the panes are tempered, i.e. thermally toughened, which makes them extremely robust and stable.If a pane of safety glass is damaged, it shatters into many small pieces, significantly reducing the risk of injury. In the case of a laminated pane where both panes are made of safety glass, the panes will each shatter into many small pieces when damaged, which stick to the film. This means that a laminated pane of safety glass absorbs splinters and has residual load-bearing capacity. In order to damage both panes from one side with a single projectile to the extent that both panes shatter, a comparatively high pyrotechnic charge is required using conventional methods. The inventive proposal to damage the two panes separately means that the separate pyrotechnic charges assigned to the two bolts require comparatively little energy. The design of the bolt gun is also simpler and more compact.

[0012] Specifically, the invention proposes that the bolt-propelling device comprise a first bolt and a second bolt, and is configured such that, when necessary, it fires the first bolt against the first pane of the windshield and the second bolt against the second pane of the windshield. The bolt impacting the respective pane causes pre-damage to the respective pane. Since the respective pane is preferably thermally tempered, the pre-damage causes it to shatter into many small pieces, which adhere to the film of the laminated glass pane. The windshield thus becomes soft and pliable, yet remains self-supporting.

[0013] In the present context, a ‘configuration’ corresponds to a ‘design’ and / or a ‘means’ and / or a ‘programming’, so that the expression ‘configured so that’ is synonymous with the expression ‘designed so that’ and / or ‘arranged so that’ and / or ‘programmed so that’.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, the first pane can have a through-opening. The bolt gun can then be arranged and / or configured on the first pane in such a way that, if necessary, it fires the first bolt against the first pane and the second bolt through the through-opening against the second pane. This makes the windshield pre-damage device or its bolt gun extremely compact, as it can be arranged on one side of the windshield and yet can pre-damage both panes of the windshield separately with the two separate bolts.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, an opening cross-section of the through-opening, measured transversely to the direction of movement of the second bolt, can be larger than a largest cross-section of the second bolt, measured transversely to the direction of movement of the second bolt. This ensures that the second bolt is not obstructed on its way to the second bolt by an opening edge of the first disc that encloses the through-opening. The opening is preferably spaced from an outer peripheral edge of the first disc.

[0016] Another embodiment proposes that the bolt gun device have a first firing chamber for firing the first bolt and a second firing chamber for firing the second bolt. The bolt gun device can then be configured so that, if necessary, it simultaneously activates both firing chambers to fire both bolts. This allows both bolts to be fired almost simultaneously, so that both panes are pre-damaged almost simultaneously by the impacting bolt.

[0017] In another embodiment, the bolt gun device can be arranged on the first disc in such a way that the first firing chamber is directly adjacent to the first disc, while the second firing chamber is directly adjacent to the aforementioned through-opening. This results in an extremely compact design for the bolt gun device.

[0018] The compact design of the bolt gun device is also supported by the fact that, according to one embodiment, the bolt gun device has a housing that is attached to the first disc and contains the two firing chambers. The housing can, for example, be glued to the first disc and, for this purpose, be equipped, in particular, with a flange.

[0019] According to another advantageous embodiment, the respective bolt can be designed as a ballistic projectile, and the bolt firing device can have a pyrotechnic propellant charge for firing each projectile. This measure also results in an extremely simple and compact design.

[0020] In another embodiment, the bolt firing device can be provided with a cartridge for each bolt, which cartridge contains a ballistic projectile and a pyrotechnic propellant charge for propelling the projectile in a cartridge case. To ignite the propellant charge, the respective cartridge can be equipped with appropriate electrical contacts, e.g., in the form of electrical leads. In particular, the respective firing chamber can be configured as a barrel into which the cartridge is inserted. This results in a simple design that can be reliably assembled.

[0021] It may be appropriate to provide for the two bolts to be of identical construction. In particular, two identical ballistic projectiles can be used as the bolts. Likewise, two identical cartridges can be used to fire the two bolts.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the bolt firing device can be arranged on the first disk such that the distance from the first bolt to the first disk is smaller than the largest diameter of the first bolt measured transversely to the direction of movement of the first bolt. In other words, the respective bolt is positioned comparatively close to the first disk, so that the trajectory of the first bolt is extremely short if necessary.

[0023] The respective bolt can be spherical. It is also conceivable to design the respective bolt cylindrically or conically. Tapered shapes for the bolts are also conceivable.

[0024] A windshield according to the invention for use in a motor vehicle has a first pane and a second pane that are connected to one another by a film. In particular, this is a laminated safety glass pane that has two panes of safety glass connected to one another by a film. Furthermore, the windshield is equipped with a pane pre-damage device of the type described above, which is attached to the windshield. The two panes of the windshield form an inner pane that faces a vehicle interior when the windshield is mounted on the vehicle, and an outer pane that faces the surroundings of the vehicle when the windshield is mounted on the vehicle. The pane pre-damage device or its bolt gun device can be mounted on the inner pane or on the outer pane.

[0025] A motor vehicle according to the invention can be designed in particular as a passenger car and has a body and a windshield of the type described above, which is attached to the body.

[0026] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0027] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Components mentioned above and those to be mentioned below of a higher-level unit, such as a device, a device, or an arrangement, which are designated separately, may form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is shown differently in the drawings.

[0028] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0029] They show, schematically, Fig. 1 a sectional view of a windscreen in the area of a windscreen pre-damage device before triggering a bolt gun, Fig. 2 a sectional view as in Fig. 1, but after the bolt gun has been triggered, Fig. 3 a sectional view of the bolt gun device in the area of a firing chamber, Fig. 4 an isometric sectional view of the bolt gun device.

[0030] According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 comprises a motor vehicle 1, which can preferably be a passenger car, a body 2, only partially shown here, to which a windshield 3 is attached. The windshield 3 is configured as a laminated glass pane and accordingly has two panes 4 and 5, which are connected to one another by a film 6. The two panes 4, 5 are preferably made of tempered safety glass and form a first pane 4 and a second pane 5. When the windshield 3 is installed, the two panes 4, 5 form an inner pane 7, which faces away from an environment 8 of the vehicle 1, and an outer pane 9, which faces the environment 8. In the preferred example shown here, the first pane 4 forms the inner pane 7, while the second pane 5 forms the outer pane 9.In another embodiment not shown here, the arrangement can also be reversed, so that the inner pane 7 is then formed by the second pane 5, while the outer pane 9 is then formed by the first pane 4.

[0031] The windshield 3 is also equipped with a window pre-damage device 10, which is configured for mechanically pre-damaging the windshield 3. The window pre-damage device 10 has a pyrotechnic bolt gun 11, which has a first bolt 12 and a second bolt 13. Furthermore, the bolt gun 11 is configured such that, if necessary, it fires the first bolt 12 against the first window 4 and the second bolt 13 against the second window 5. It is clear that the window pre-damage device 11 is suitably equipped with a triggering device 14, which is suitably coupled to the bolt gun 11. Corresponding electrical cables for coupling or igniting the respective pyrotechnic unit are provided in the Fig. 1 to 3, but not further identified. Furthermore, the window pre-damage device 10 or its triggering device 14 is coupled to a crash sensor system or pre-crash sensor system (not shown here), which is configured to detect a need that requires triggering the bolt gun device 11 or activating the window pre-damage device 10. In particular, an impact detection device described in the aforementioned DE 10 2020 114 695 A1 can be used, which is hereby incorporated by explicit reference into the content of the present disclosure.

[0032] According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the first disc 4 may have a passage opening 15 which completely penetrates the first disc 4. In the examples of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the through-opening 15 also penetrates the film 6. However, this is not absolutely necessary. In any case, the bolt firing device 11 is arranged on the first pane 4 in such a way that, if necessary, it fires the first bolt 12 directly against the first pane 4, while firing the second bolt 13 through the through-opening 15 against the second pane 5.

[0033] According to Fig. 2, the bolts 12, 13 move when firing in a direction of movement which is Fig. 2 is indicated by arrows and designated 16 and 17 respectively. The first bolt 12 moves, if necessary, in the direction of movement 16, which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first disc 4. The second bolt 13 moves, if necessary, in the direction of movement 17, which is expediently oriented perpendicular to the plane of the second disc 5. The two directions of movement 16, 17 usually run parallel to one another. The passage opening 15 can have a cross-section 18 transverse to the direction of movement 17 of the second bolt 13, which is larger than a largest cross-section 19 of the second bolt 13 measured transversely to the direction of movement 17 of the second bolt 13. In the case of circular cross-sections 18, 19, the same applies to the diameters.

[0034] According to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the bolt gun 11 has a first firing chamber 20 for firing the first bolt 12 and a second firing chamber 21 for firing the second bolt 13. The bolt gun 11 or the triggering device 14 is expediently configured such that, if necessary, it simultaneously activates both firing chambers 20, 21 to fire the two bolts 12, 13. In other words, if necessary, both bolts 12, 13 are fired essentially simultaneously.

[0035] The two firing chambers 20, 21 are open at one end facing the windshield 3 and closed at one end facing away from the windshield 3. The bolt gun 11 is expediently arranged on the first pane 4 such that the first firing chamber 20, with its open end, directly adjoins the first pane 4, while the second firing chamber 21, with its open end, directly adjoins the passage opening 15.

[0036] In the example shown, the bolt firing device 11 is glued to the first disc 4. For this purpose, the bolt firing device 11 can have a housing 22 with a circumferential flange 23 that is glued to the first disc 4. The housing 22 contains both firing chambers 20, 21 or forms the two firing chambers 20, 21.

[0037] A preferred configuration is one in which the two bolts 12, 13 are identically constructed. Fig. 3, the bolt firing device 11 is shown by way of example only in the area of one of the two firing chambers 20, 21 with bolts 12, 13, which are each preferably constructed identically, so that the features shown and explained apply equally to both firing chambers 20, 21 and both bolts 12, 13. For simplification, both reference numerals are always entered for the respective firing chamber 20, 21 and the respective bolt 12, 13. Accordingly Fig. 3, the respective bolt 12, 13 can therefore be designed as a ballistic projectile 24, wherein the bolt firing device 11 has a pyrotechnic propellant charge 25 for each projectile 24. In particular, the bolt firing device 11 can have a cartridge 26 for each bolt 12, 13, which contains a cartridge case 27 and, in the cartridge case 27, the respective projectile 24 and the respective pyrotechnic propellant charge 25. Furthermore, the respective cartridge 26 can have suitable electrical connections, which are designed here as cables and via which the propellant charge 25 can be ignited. The respective firing chamber 20, 21 can be configured as a barrel 28 into which the respective cartridge 26 is inserted. Accordingly, the walls and a base of the firing chambers 20, 21 have a relatively large wall thickness.

[0038] Accordingly Fig. 1, the bolt firing device 10 can be expediently arranged on the first disk 4 such that a distance 29 is formed between the first bolt 12 and the first disk 4. This distance 29 is smaller than a largest diameter 30 of the first bolt 12 measured transversely to the direction of movement 16 of the first bolt 12. Thus, the bolt firing device 11 is extremely compact and requires little installation space. In the example of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the bolt gun 11 is installed within a dashboard 31, so that it is not visible from the vehicle interior. Furthermore, the windshield 3 can be painted or coated in the area of the bolt gun 11, so that the bolt gun 11 is also not visible from the outside.

[0039] In the representations of the Fig. 1 to 3, the respective bolt 12, 13 is designed as a ball. In Fig. Figure 4, however, shows another embodiment in which the respective bolts 12, 13 are cylindrical. In other embodiments, conical or tapered, bullet-like bolts 12, 13 may also be provided.

[0040] If necessary, the pre-damage device 10 triggers the bolt gun 11, so that it fires the two bolts 12, 13 and shoots them against the panes 4, 5. Due to the impact of the two bolts 12, 13 on the two panes 4, 5, both panes 4, 5 disintegrate, along with many small pieces that remain stuck to the film 6. The pre-damaged panes 4, 5 that are stuck to the film 6 are in Fig.2. The windshield 3 thus remains self-supporting on the body 2, but is now flexible and soft. For a pedestrian who impacts the previously damaged windshield 3, the risk of injury from the impact with the windshield 3 is reduced. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2020 114 695 A1 [0004, 0031] DE 10 2017 210 110 A1

[0005] WO 2020 / 005554 A1

[0006] DE 10 2011 005 294 A1

[0007] DE 10 2020 112 373 A1

[0007] DE 40 16 611 A1

[0007] US 8 727 060 B1

[0007] DE 20 28 550 A

[0008]

Claims

[1] Window pre-damage device (10) for mechanically pre-damaging a windscreen (3) of a motor vehicle (1) configured as a laminated glass pane having two panes (4, 5), - with a pyrotechnic bolt firing device (11) which is configured to fire at least one bolt (12, 13) against the windscreen (3) if necessary to pre-damage the windscreen (3), characterized by , - that the bolt firing device (11) has a first bolt (12) and a second bolt (13) and is configured such that, if necessary, it fires the first bolt (12) against one or first pane (4) of the windshield (3) and the second bolt (13) against the other or second pane (5) of the windshield (3). [2] Disc pre-damage device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the first disc (4) has a passage opening (15), - that the bolt firing device (11) is arranged on the first disc (4) and is configured such that, if necessary, it shoots the first bolt (12) against the first disc (4) and shoots the second bolt (13) through the passage opening (15) against the second disc (5). [3] Disc pre-damage device (10) according to claim 2, characterized by , - that a cross section (18) of the passage opening (15) measured transversely to the direction of movement (17) of the second bolt (13) is larger than a largest cross section (19) of the second bolt (13) measured transversely to the direction of movement (17) of the second bolt (13). [4] Disc pre-damage device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , - that the bolt firing device (11) has a first firing chamber (20) for firing the first bolt (12) and a second firing chamber (21) for firing the second bolt (13), - that the bolt firing device (11) actuates or controls both firing chambers (20, 21) simultaneously to fire the two bolts (12, 13), if necessary. [5] Disc pre-damage device (10) according to claims 2 and 4, characterized by , - that the bolt firing device (11) is arranged on the first disc (4) in such a way that the first firing chamber (20) is directly adjacent to the first disc (4) and that the second firing chamber (21) is directly adjacent to the passage opening (15). [6] Disc pre-damage device (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by , - that the bolt firing device (11) has a housing (22) which is attached to the first disc (4) and which contains or forms the two firing chambers (20, 21). [7] Disc pre-damage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the respective bolt (12, 13) is designed as a ballistic projectile (24), - that the bolt firing device (11) has a pyrotechnic propellant charge (25) for each projectile (24) for firing the respective projectile (24). [8] Disc pre-damage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the bolt firing device (11) is arranged on the first disc (4) in such a way that a distance (29) from the first bolt (12) to the first disc (4) is smaller than a largest diameter (30) of the first bolt (12) measured transversely to the direction of movement (16) of the first bolt (12). [9] Windscreen (3) for a motor vehicle (1), - with a first pane (4) and a second pane (5) which are connected to one another via a film (6), - with a windshield pre-damage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is attached to the windshield (3). [10] Motor vehicle (1), in particular passenger car, - with a body (2), - with a windscreen (3) attached to the body (2) according to claim 9.

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