Ride-on vehicle

Abstract

Ride-on vehicle (5) which features: a rear part (10) extending from a rear end (10a) to a front end (10b) and having a left side surface and a right side surface, wherein the rear part has a main part (12), comprising a seat (14) and at least one safety device attached to the main part (12), and a steering arrangement (80) which is attached to the main part (12) of the rear part (10), where at least one safety device includes the following: - a left extendable arrangement with a non-extended first state and an extended second state, wherein the left extendable arrangement extends away from the main part (12) when it is in its second state, and - a right-hand extendable arrangement with a non-extended first state and an extended second state, wherein the right-hand extendable arrangement extends away from the main part (12) when it is in its second state, and wherein - the safety device includes an inflation device, - the left extendable arrangement comprises at least one left airbag (20, 30) and the right extendable arrangement comprises at least one right airbag (40, 50), wherein the airbags (20, 30, 40, 50) are inflatable by the inflation device which comprises at least one gas generator (60, 62), - a left rigid part (75) is attached to at least one of the left airbags, and - a right rigid part is attached to at least one of the right airbags, characterized in that the left rigid part forms a section of the left side surface of the rear part when the at least one left airbag is in its uninflated state, and the right rigid part forms a section of the right side surface of the rear part when the at least one right airbag is in its uninflated state.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a ride-on vehicle according to claim 1.

[0002] Ride-on vehicles, as defined in this application, are vehicles without a chassis, on which the rider sits with their legs to the left and right of a part of the vehicle. The invention primarily relates to motorcycles, but also to similar vehicles such as scooters or quad bikes. For the sake of linguistic simplicity, reference is often made to motorcycles, but the invention is not limited to them.

[0003] Such a ride-on vehicle comprises a rear section extending from a rear end to a front end. This rear section naturally has a left and a right side (the definitions are chosen in the forward direction of travel). This rear section includes a main section (which may, for example, comprise a rigid frame) and a seat attached to the main section. Furthermore, a steering mechanism is attached to the main section, specifically to the front end of the rear section.

[0004] It is a well-known problem that riders of ride-on vehicles (due to the lack of a chassis) are often poorly protected in an accident; their primary protection consists of appropriate clothing and a helmet. Therefore, there is a need to improve ride-on vehicles so that they can better protect the rider in an accident.

[0005] From the generic patent DE 10 2015 204 913 A1, a ride-on vehicle in the form of a motorcycle with side airbags is known, whereby it is particularly proposed that the deployed airbags are located to the sides of the legs and upper body of the rider. It is also proposed, among other things, to arrange reinforced protective elements on the airbags, each of which is distributed over a larger area of ​​the airbag.

[0006] A similar point is shown in DE 100 04 307 A1, which continues to propose a front airbag for a motorcycle.

[0007] A motorcycle with a front airbag is also known from JP 2015 - 145 152 A.

[0008] DE 10 2005 000 806 A1 shows a motorcycle with an inflatable support element, which in particular replaces a folding motorcycle stand.

[0009] The invention therefore aims to improve a ride-on vehicle of the type so that it can offer better protection in the event of an accident.

[0010] This problem is solved by a ride-on vehicle with the features of claim 1.

[0011] The ride-on vehicle according to the invention also includes at least one safety device comprising a left extendable assembly with a retracted first state and an extended second state, wherein this left extendable assembly extends from the main part (the rear part) when it is in its second state. Similarly, the safety device comprises a right extendable assembly with a retracted first state and an extended second state, wherein this extendable assembly extends from the main part when it is in its second state.

[0012] This means that the overall width of the rear section is increased when the extendable devices are in their second position, thus protecting the rider's knees and lower legs in particular. In this position, the ride-on vehicle (including the extendable device) extends laterally beyond the knees and lower legs, which is not the case in its initial position. Specifically, if the ride-on vehicle tips over in an accident, a gap is created between the ground and the rider's legs (including feet), protecting these body parts from contact with the ground. This can prevent injuries or at least reduce their severity.

[0013] As is also known from the generic DE 10 2015 204 913 A1, the deployable arrangements comprise at least one left airbag and at least one right airbag, and the safety device further comprises an inflation arrangement having at least one inflator, for example a gas generator. It is possible to use a common inflator for the left and right deployable arrangements or to provide separate inflators.

[0014] To protect a deployed airbag in its deployed state, it is connected to a rigid plate that, in its initial state, is part of the side paneling of the ride-on vehicle.

[0015] Since the vehicle is usually moving forward in an accident, it is preferable that the deployable arrangements each include a front airbag, which in the deployed (second) state is positioned in front of the driver's knees.

[0016] In this case, it may be particularly advantageous for both front airbags to have a front section located in front of the driver's knees and a rear section extending from this front section, creating a "partially enclosed" space between this rear section and the main body of the vehicle. This typically means that this front airbag has a substantially L-shaped cross-section.

[0017] The rear section is normally inflated over the main section. To ensure that the rear section can expand properly without snagging on parts of the main section or on parts of the rider's body, measures can be taken to ensure that the expansion of the rear section essentially only begins after the front section is fully inflated. For this reason, a transfer port can be provided that connects a chamber of the front section to a chamber of the rear section and is initially in a blocked or restricted state, so that it only allows the inflation of the rear section after the front section is substantially deployed. For example, a transfer port can initially be covered by a cover element secured by a rip-seal.

[0018] In addition to or as an alternative to such fairly large front airbags, rear airbags can also be provided, which deploy behind the driver's lower legs.

[0019] The use of airbags as deployable units or parts thereof is generally preferred because airbag technology is highly developed, airbags are lightweight, and they don't require much storage space. However, other deployable units, such as piston-cylinder units, would also be possible. The important thing is that the vehicle's width can be partially increased in the event of an accident.

[0020] The invention will now be described with reference to preferred embodiments and the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 a very schematic top view of parts of a ride-on vehicle according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 the in Fig. 1 item shown, after the safety device according to the invention has been activated, Fig. 3 the ride-on vehicle from Fig. 2 in a realistic depiction, Fig. 4 a second embodiment of a ride-on vehicle in a side view, Fig. 5 the ride-on vehicle from Fig. 4 in a representation according to Fig. 1 during an early deployment phase of the airbag of the safety device, Fig. 6 the detail D from Fig. 5, Fig. 7 the overflow arrangement Fig. 6 in a view from the direction of R1, Fig. 8 that in Fig. 5 Shown during a later development phase, Fig. 9 the in Fig. 8 Shown at a later time, Fig. 10 that in Fig. 4 Shown in a representation according to Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 an embodiment of a ride-on vehicle according to the invention.

[0021] The Fig. Figures 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a ride-on vehicle 5, namely a motorcycle. The illustration of the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 is extremely schematic and shows only parts of the vehicle; in particular, the wheels are not shown. However, it is assumed that such a schematic representation contributes to the understanding of the concept according to the invention.

[0022] The ride-on vehicle 5 (the motorcycle) comprises a rear section 10 extending from a rear end 10a to a front end 10b, and a steering assembly 80 attached to the rear section 10 at the front end 10b of the rear section. The rear section 10 comprises a main section 12, which in turn includes, in particular, a rigid frame. For example, the motorcycle's fuel tank can also be considered part of this main section 12. A seat 14 is attached to the main section 12.

[0023] A safety device is attached to the main part, in particular to the frame. This safety device comprises a left-hand deployable assembly, configured here as a left front airbag 20 and a left rear airbag 30. The safety device further comprises a right-hand deployable assembly, configured here as a right front airbag 40 and a right rear airbag 50. All these airbags are in Fig. 1 in their non-extended state and in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shown in its extended state.

[0024] The safety device further comprises an inflation arrangement, which here is designed in the form of a front inflator 60 (for example, a gas generator) connected to the front airbags 20, 40, and a rear inflator 62 (for example, also a gas generator) in flow connection with the rear airbags 30, 50. Alternatively, it would also be possible to provide a separate inflator for each airbag or to provide only one gas generator for all airbags.

[0025] A control unit 70 is provided to trigger the inflators 60, 62 in the event of an accident or an anticipated accident. This control unit typically includes at least one acceleration sensor. Alternatively or additionally, systems such as cameras, radars, or LLDARs can be used, particularly to detect an accident that is certain or likely to occur.

[0026] If an accident, a certain accident, or a likely accident is detected, the inflators 60, 62 are triggered and the airbags 20, 30, 40, 50 are filled with gas and thus inflate in the Fig. 2 and Fig. The condition shown in Figure 3 is achieved. This increases the overall width (in the y-direction) of the rear section 10 in front of and behind the rider's legs, creating a kind of "protected space" for these body parts. This prevents the legs from hitting the ground and becoming trapped between the rear of the vehicle and the ground, especially if the motorcycle tips over.

[0027] The Fig. Figures 4 to 10 show a second embodiment. Here, too, a “mixed” representation is chosen.

[0028] The difference from the first embodiment is that only front airbags 20, 40 are provided, and that these front airbags 20, 40 have a more complex shape and structure. It would be possible to provide additional rear airbags; however, this is not shown in the embodiment and is generally not necessary in this embodiment.

[0029] As can be seen particularly from the Fig. 4 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 10, which shows the fully deployed state, the front airbags 20, 40 have an essentially L-shaped cross-section with a front section 22, 42 and a rear section 23, 43. Each of these sections has a chamber, which is best seen from Fig. As can be seen in 10. Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, at least parts of the driver's legs are located between the rear sections 23 and 43 and the main section 12 of the rear section 10 of the ride-on vehicle. Therefore, the rear sections must move past the driver's legs during deployment. It is naturally desirable that the airbags do not strike the driver's legs during deployment. Therefore, measures are taken to ensure that the rear sections 23 and 43 deploy in such a way as to achieve this.

[0030] In the Fig. Figures 7 to 9 illustrate a preferred method for this: For example, how to use the Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, a transfer arrangement 25 is provided between the chamber of the front section 22 and the chamber of the rear section 23 (this also applies, of course, to the right front airbag). This transfer arrangement 35 is initially closed or at least throttled so that the front section is fully or at least substantially inflated before the rear section 23, 43 begins to inflate. For example, a transfer opening 27 may be provided, which is initially closed by a cover element 28, which in turn is attached to the airbag by means of a tear seam 29. The strength of this tear seam 29 is selected such that, in the event of a pressure increase in the chamber of the front section 22 due to complete inflation of the chamber, the tear seam ruptures, causing the cover element 28 to fall off and allowing gas to flow through the transfer opening 27 from the chamber of the front section to the chamber of the rear section (see in particular Figure 7). Fig. 8, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10).

[0031] In order to keep the rear sections 23, 43 in a defined packed state on their respective unfolding front sections 22, 42 before they unfold themselves, a tearable sheath can be provided for each rear section 23, 43.

[0032] To protect the airbag or at least a part of it, a rigid plate 75 can be attached to the airbag, as in the embodiment according to the invention. Fig. Figure 11 shows this rigid plate 75. When the airbag is not deployed, it forms part of the motorcycle's side fairing and is usually made of a plastic material, such as a fiber-reinforced plastic. Such a rigid plate could, of course, also be attached to a rear airbag, if present.

[0033] It can be seen that an "additional width" of the rear section in front of and / or behind the rider's lower legs can provide good protection for body parts that are normally unprotected. Reference symbol list 5 Ride-on vehicle 10 rear part 10a rear end 10b front end 12 Main part (frame) 14 seats 20 left front airbag 22 front section of the left front airbag 23 rear section of the left front airbag 24 tear-open sleeves 25 Overflow arrangement 27 Overflow opening 28 Cover element 29 Tear seam 30 left rear airbag 40 right front airbag 42 front section of the right front airbag 43 Rear section of the right front airbag 44 tear-open sleeves 50 right rear airbag 60, 62 Gas generator 70 Control unit including sensors 75 rigid plate 80 Steering arrangement

Claims

[1] Ride-on vehicle (5) which features: a rear part (10) extending from a rear end (10a) to a front end (10b) and having a left side surface and a right side surface, wherein the rear part has a main part (12), comprising a seat (14) and at least one safety device attached to the main part (12), and a steering arrangement (80) which is attached to the main part (12) of the rear part (10), where at least one safety device includes the following: - a left extendable arrangement with a non-extended first state and an extended second state, wherein the left extendable arrangement extends away from the main part (12) when it is in its second state, and - a right-hand extendable arrangement with a non-extended first state and an extended second state, wherein the right-hand extendable arrangement extends away from the main part (12) when it is in its second state, and wherein - the safety device includes an inflation device, - the left extendable arrangement comprises at least one left airbag (20, 30) and the right extendable arrangement comprises at least one right airbag (40, 50), wherein the airbags (20, 30, 40, 50) are inflatable by the inflation device which comprises at least one gas generator (60, 62), - a left rigid part (75) is attached to at least one of the left airbags, and - a right-hand rigid part is attached to at least one of the right-hand airbags, characterized by, that the left rigid part forms a section of the left side surface of the rear part when the at least one left airbag is in its uninflated state, and the right rigid part forms a section of the right side surface of the rear part when the at least one right airbag is in its uninflated state. [2] Ride-on vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by , that the left extendable arrangement comprises a left front airbag (20) which, when deployed, is positioned at least partially in front of the driver's left shin, and the right extendable arrangement comprises a right front airbag (40) which, when deployed, is positioned at least partially in front of the driver's right shin. [3] Ride-on vehicle according to claim 2, characterized by, that both the front left airbag (20) and the front right airbag (40) in their deployed state each have a front section (22, 42) extending from the main part (12) and a rear section (23, 43) extending from the front section (22, 42), so that there is a space between the rear section (23, 43) and the main part (12). [4] The ride-on vehicle according to claim 3, characterized by , that each front section encloses a front chamber and that each rear section encloses a rear chamber which is filled via the front chamber. [5] Ride-on vehicle according to claim 4, wherein an overflow arrangement is provided between the front chamber and the rear chamber, wherein the overflow arrangement (25) is initially in a closed or throttled state and opens when the front chamber is at least partially, preferably completely, filled. [6] Ride-on vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the left extendable arrangement comprises a rear left airbag (30) which, in its deployed state, is located at least partially behind the driver's left shin, and the right extendable arrangement comprises a rear right airbag (50) which, in its deployed state, is located at least partially behind the driver's right shin.

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