Windscreen damage prevention device, windscreen and motor vehicle

Abstract

Windscreen pre-damage device (10) for mechanically pre-damaging a laminated glass windscreen (3) of a motor vehicle (1) configured as two panes (4, 5), - with a pyrotechnic bolt firing device (11) configured to fire at least one bolt (12, 13) against the windshield (3) when necessary to pre-damage the windshield (3), characterized in that - that the bolt firing device (11) has a first bolt (12) and a second bolt (13) and is configured to fire the first bolt (12) against one or first disc (4) of the windshield (3) when required and the second bolt (13) against the other or second disc (5) of the windshield (3), - that the first disk (4) has a through-hole (15), - that the bolt firing device (11) is arranged on the first disc (4) and is configured to fire the first bolt (12) against the first disc (4) when required and to fire the second bolt (13) through the through-hole (15) against the second disc (5), - 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) has a housing (22) which is attached to the first disk (4) and which contains or forms the two firing chambers (20, 21).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield damage prevention device according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a windshield equipped with such a windshield damage prevention 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 vehicle's windshield. A windshield is subjected to high mechanical stresses during vehicle operation and is therefore relatively robust, which means that in the event of an impact, there is a risk of injury.

[0003] To reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians, windshield damage prevention devices are known.

[0004] A windshield pre-damage device of this type is known, for example, from DE 44 01 396 A1. Such a windshield pre-damage device serves to mechanically pre-damage a motor vehicle windshield configured as a laminated glass pane comprising two panes. For this purpose, the known windshield pre-damage device is equipped with a pyrotechnic bolt firing device configured to fire a bolt against the windshield when necessary to mechanically pre-damage it. The known windshield pre-damage device is configured such that a single bolt is fired against the inner, first pane.

[0005] Another pane pre-damage device of this type is known from DE 10 2020 114 695 A1 and is configured such that it fires the bolt against the outer edge of one of the two panes, with the other pane having a recess in the bolt's impact area. This means that, if necessary, only one of the two panes is pre-damaged, while the other remains undamaged. This significantly reduces the stability of the laminated glass pane.

[0006] EP 1 101 895 A2 discloses a pane pre-damaging device configured for the mechanical pre-damaging of an insulating glass unit comprising two panes. In an insulating glass unit, the two panes are spaced apart to form a generally evacuated cavity that provides thermal and acoustic insulation. In contrast, in a laminated glass unit, the two panes are bonded together by an adhesive film or are in contact with each other via the adhesive film.

[0007] DE 10 2017 210 110 A1 discloses a windscreen damage prevention device which is also equipped with a pyrotechnic bolt firing device which, if necessary, fires a bolt against the windscreen.

[0008] From WO 2020 / 005554 A1, a glass 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.

[0009] Other pane damage devices that, 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, from DE 10 2018 124 454 A1 and from US 8 727 060 B1.

[0010] From DE 20 28 550 A a windshield damage prevention device is known in which a bolt firing device is inserted into an opening of a windshield, which, if necessary, shoots two bolts directed away from each other against an opening edge surrounding the opening.

[0011] From DE 10 2018 212 352 A1 a disc pre-damage device is known which does not require a bolt firing device, but works with predetermined breaking points that can be activated by means of a triggering mechanism which can operate in particular pyrotechnically.

[0012] Another pane damage prevention device for a laminated glass pane without a bolt firing device is known from DE 103 33 605 A1, which has a striking device that interacts directly with the outer pane.

[0013] From DE 23 52 358 A an airbag valve with a single-layer burst disc is known, which can be destroyed when an airbag is triggered by means of a bolt-firing device.

[0014] DE 10 2012 021 864 A1 discloses a known pane damage device for creating an emergency exit for a simple glass pane, in which a bolt can be shot against the pane by means of a pyrotechnic bolt firing device if necessary.

[0015] From DE 695 04 565 T2 a slightly breakable glass pane for an emergency exit is known, which has a large pane that is set in a frame and a small pane that is connected to the large pane and contains a hole.

[0016] The present invention addresses the problem of providing an improved or at least a different embodiment for a windscreen pre-damage device of the type described above, or for a windscreen 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] The invention is based on the general concept of designing the bolt firing device in such a way that, if necessary, the two panes of the windshield can be pre-damaged separately. For this purpose, the bolt firing device has two separate bolts, which are fired pyrotechnically and each is assigned to one of the two panes. This ensures that both panes are pre-damaged if necessary. This enables reliable pre-damaging of both panes of the windshield. A modern laminated glass pane has two panes that are bonded together with an interlayer, in particular by adhesive. The two panes can be designed as safety glass. For this purpose, the panes are tempered, i.e., thermally prestressed, which makes them extremely robust and stable.In the event of damage, a pane of safety glass shatters into many small pieces, significantly reducing the risk of injury. In a laminated pane, where both panes are made of safety glass, each pane shatters into many small pieces upon damage, which then adhere to the interlayer. This makes a laminated safety glass pane shatter-resistant and load-bearing. To damage both panes sufficiently with a single projectile from one side to cause them to shatter, a comparatively high pyrotechnic charge is required using conventional methods. The inventive design, which damages the two panes separately, allows the separate pyrotechnic charges assigned to the two bolts to operate with comparatively little energy. This also results in a simpler and more compact design for the bolt-firing device.

[0019] Specifically, the invention proposes that the bolt-firing device comprises a first bolt and a second bolt and is configured to fire the first bolt against the first pane of the windshield and the second bolt against the second pane when required. The bolt impacting each pane causes pre-damage to that pane. Since each pane is preferably thermally pre-stressed, the pre-damage causes it to shatter into many small pieces that adhere to the interlayer of the laminated glass. This makes the windshield soft and pliable, yet it remains self-supporting.

[0020] In the present context, a “configuration” corresponds to a “design” and / or a “setup” and / or a “programming”, so that the phrase “configured so that” is synonymous with the phrase “designed so that” and / or “set up so that” and / or “programmed so that”.

[0021] According to the invention, the first disc has a through-opening. The bolt firing device is arranged and / or configured on the first disc such that, when necessary, it fires the first bolt against the first disc and the second bolt through the through-opening against the second disc. This results in an extremely compact design for the disc pre-damage device and its bolt firing device, as it can be positioned on one side of the windshield and yet still pre-damage both discs of the windshield separately with the two separate bolts.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the passage opening can be spaced apart from an outer circumferential edge of the first disk.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening of the passage, measured transversely to the direction of movement of the second bolt, can be larger than the largest cross-sectional area of ​​the second bolt, also measured transversely to the direction of movement of the second bolt. This ensures that the second bolt is not obstructed by an opening edge of the first disk surrounding the passage on its way to the second disk. The opening is preferably spaced apart from an outer circumferential edge of the first disk.

[0024] According to the invention, the bolt firing device has a first firing chamber for firing the first bolt and a second firing chamber for firing the second bolt.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the bolt firing device can be configured to simultaneously fire both bolts when necessary. This ensures that both bolts are fired largely at the same time, so that both targets are pre-damaged by the impacting bolt almost simultaneously.

[0026] In another embodiment, the bolt firing device may 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.

[0027] This results in an extremely compact design for the bolt firing device.

[0028] According to the invention, the bolt-firing device has a housing that is attached to the first disc and that contains or forms the two firing chambers. The housing can, for example, be glued to the first disc and, in particular, be equipped with a flange for this purpose.

[0029] 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.

[0030] In another embodiment, the bolt firing device may have a cartridge for each bolt, containing a ballistic projectile and a pyrotechnic propellant charge for propelling the projectile within a cartridge case. To ignite the propellant charge, each cartridge may be equipped with appropriate electrical contacts, e.g., in the form of electrical leads. In particular, each firing chamber may be configured as a barrel into which the cartridge is inserted. This results in a simple design that can be reliably assembled.

[0031] It may be advantageous for the two bolts to be identical in construction. In particular, two identical ballistic projectiles can be used as bolts. Likewise, two identical cartridges can be used to provide the two bolts.

[0032] 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 relatively close to the first disk, so that the trajectory of the first bolt is extremely short when required.

[0033] The bolt can be spherical. It is also conceivable to design the bolt in a cylindrical or conical shape. Tapered shapes for the bolts are also possible.

[0034] A windshield according to the invention for use in a motor vehicle comprises a first pane and a second pane bonded together by a film. In particular, it is a laminated safety glass pane consisting of two panes of safety glass bonded together by a film. Furthermore, the windshield is equipped with a windshield breakage device of the type described above, which is attached to the windshield. The two panes of the windshield form an inner pane, which, when the windshield is mounted on the vehicle, faces the vehicle interior, and an outer pane, which, when the windshield is mounted on the vehicle, faces the vehicle's surroundings. The windshield breakage device, or its bolt-firing mechanism, can be mounted on either the inner or the outer pane.

[0035] A motor vehicle according to the invention can in particular be designed as a passenger car and has a body and a windshield of the type described above, which is attached to the body.

[0036] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0037] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawings.

[0038] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0039] They show, schematically, Fig. 1. A sectional view of a windshield in the area of ​​a windshield damage detection device before the triggering of a bolt firing device. Fig. 2 a sectional view as in Fig. 1, however, after the bolt firing device has been triggered, Fig. 3 a sectional view of the bolt firing device in the area of ​​a firing chamber, Fig. 4 an isometric sectional view of the bolt shooting device.

[0040] According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. The vehicle 2 comprises a motor vehicle 1, preferably 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 bonded together by a film 6. The two panes 4 and 5 preferably consist 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 and 5 form an inner pane 7, facing away from the surroundings 8 of the vehicle 1, and an outer pane 9, facing the surroundings 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 disk 7 is formed by the second disk 5, while the outer disk 9 is formed by the first disk 4.

[0041] The windshield 3 is also equipped with a windshield pre-damage device 10, configured for mechanically pre-damaging the windshield 3. The windshield pre-damage device 10 has a pyrotechnic bolt firing device 11, which includes a first bolt 12 and a second bolt 13. Furthermore, the bolt firing device 11 is configured to fire the first bolt 12 against the first windshield 4 and the second bolt 13 against the second windshield 5 when required. It is clear that the windshield pre-damage device 11 is appropriately equipped with a triggering device 14, which is appropriately coupled to the bolt firing device 11. Corresponding electrical cables for coupling and / or igniting the respective pyrotechnic unit are included in the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 are shown, but not described in detail. Furthermore, the windscreen pre-damage device 10 or its triggering device 14 is coupled with a crash sensor or pre-crash sensor (not shown here) configured to detect a situation requiring the triggering of the bolt firing device 11 or the activation of the windscreen pre-damage device 10. In particular, an impact detection device as described in the aforementioned DE 10 2020 114 695 A1, which is hereby incorporated by explicit reference into the present disclosure, may be used.

[0042] According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The first disk 4 can have a through-opening 15 that completely passes through the first disk 4. In the examples of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 also penetrates the opening 15 and the foil 6. However, this is not strictly necessary. In any case, the bolt firing device 11 is arranged on the first disc 4 such that, if required, it fires the first bolt 12 directly against the first disc 4, while it fires the second bolt 13 through the opening 15 against the second disc 5.

[0043] According to Fig. 2. When firing, the bolts 12 and 13 each move in a direction of movement that is in Fig. The first bolt 12 is indicated by arrows and labeled 16 and 17, respectively. The first bolt 12 moves, if necessary, in the direction of movement 16, which is essentially perpendicular to the plane of the first disk 4. The second bolt 13 moves, if necessary, in the direction of movement 17, which is expediently perpendicular to the plane of the second disk 5. The two directions of movement 16 and 17 are usually parallel to each other. The opening 15 can have a cross-section 18 perpendicular to the direction of movement 17 of the second bolt 13, which is larger than the largest cross-section 19 of the second bolt 13 measured perpendicular to the direction of movement 17 of the second bolt 13. The same applies to the diameters of circular cross-sections 18 and 19.

[0044] According to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. 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. Advantageously, the bolt firing device 11, or the triggering device 14, is configured such that, if necessary, it actuates both firing chambers 20, 21 simultaneously to fire the two bolts 12, 13. In other words, if necessary, both bolts 12, 13 are fired essentially simultaneously.

[0045] The two firing chambers 20, 21 are open at one end facing the windshield 3 and closed at the other end facing away from the windshield 3. Advantageously, the bolt firing device 11 is arranged on the first disc 4 such that the first firing chamber 20 is directly adjacent to the first disc 4 with its open end, while the second firing chamber 21 is directly adjacent to the through-hole 15 with its open end.

[0046] In the example shown, the bolt firing device 11 is bonded to the first disk 4. For this purpose, the bolt firing device 11 can have a housing 22 which has a circumferential flange 23 that is bonded to the first disk 4. The housing 22 contains both firing chambers 20, 21, or forms the two firing chambers 20, 21.

[0047] A preferred configuration is one in which the two bolts 12, 13 are identical in design. Fig. Figure 3 shows the bolt firing device 11 as an example only in the area of ​​one of the two firing chambers 20, 21 with bolts 12, 13, which are preferably identical in construction, so that the features shown and explained apply equally to both firing chambers 20, 21 and both bolts 12, 13. For the sake of simplicity, both reference numerals for the respective firing chamber 20, 21 and the respective bolt 12, 13 are always shown. Fig. 3. Accordingly, the respective bolt 12, 13 can be configured 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, within 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 configured here as cables, 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 base of the firing chambers 20, 21 have a relatively large wall thickness.

[0048] Accordingly Fig. 1. The bolt firing device 10 can advantageously be 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 the largest diameter 30 of the first bolt 12, measured transversely to the direction of movement 16 of the first bolt 12. This allows the bolt firing device 11 to be extremely compact and requiring little installation space. In the example of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 The bolt firing device 11 is installed within an instrument panel 31, so that it is not visible from the vehicle interior. In addition, the windshield 3 can be painted or coated in the area of ​​the bolt firing device 11, so that the bolt firing device 11 is also not visible from the outside.

[0049] In the depictions of the Fig. In parts 1 to 3, the respective bolts 12 and 13 are designed as balls. Fig. Figure 4 shows a different embodiment in which the respective bolt 12, 13 is cylindrical. In other embodiments, conical or tapered, bullet-like bolts 12, 13 may also be provided.

[0050] If necessary, the disc pre-damage device 10 triggers the bolt firing device 11, causing it to fire the two bolts 12, 13 at the discs 4, 5. The impact of the two bolts 12, 13 on the two discs 4, 5 shatters both discs 4, 5, producing many small fragments that adhere to the foil 6. The pre-damaged discs 4, 5 adhering to the foil 6 are in Fig.2 indicated. The windshield 3 thus remains self-supporting on the body 2, but is now flexible and soft. For a pedestrian who collides with the windshield 3 damaged in this way, the risk of injury from the impact on the windshield 3 is reduced.

Claims

[1] Windscreen pre-damage device (10) for mechanically pre-damaging a windscreen (3) of a motor vehicle (1) configured as two panes (4, 5) of laminated glass, - with a pyrotechnic bolt firing device (11) configured to fire at least one bolt (12, 13) against the windshield (3) when necessary to pre-damage the windshield (3), characterized by , - that the bolt firing device (11) has a first bolt (12) and a second bolt (13) and is configured to fire the first bolt (12) against one or first disc (4) of the windshield (3) when required and the second bolt (13) against the other or second disc (5) of the windshield (3), - that the first disk (4) has a through-hole (15), - that the bolt firing device (11) is arranged on the first disc (4) and is configured to fire the first bolt (12) against the first disc (4) when required and to fire the second bolt (13) through the through-hole (15) against the second disc (5), - 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) has a housing (22) which is attached to the first disk (4) and which contains or forms the two firing chambers (20, 21). [2] Disc pre-damage device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , - that the passage opening (15) is spaced apart from an outer circumferential edge of the first disk (4). [3] Disc pre-damage device (10) according to claim 1 or 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) actuates or controls both firing chambers (20, 21) simultaneously to fire the two bolts (12, 13) if required. [5] Disc pre-damage device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the bolt firing device (11) is arranged on the first disc (4) such 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 any 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). [7] Disc pre-damage device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , - that the bolt firing device (11) is arranged on the first disk (4) such that a distance (29) from the first bolt (12) to the first disk (4) is smaller than a maximum diameter (30) of the first bolt (12) measured transversely to the direction of movement (16) of the first bolt (12). [8] Windscreen (3) for a motor vehicle (1), - with a first disk (4) and with a second disk (5) which are connected to each other via a film (6), - with a windscreen damage prevention device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is attached to the windscreen (3). [9] Motor vehicle (1), in particular passenger cars, - with a body (2), - with a windshield (3) attached to the body (2) according to claim 8.

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