Side airbag for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag (100) with a gas bag (200) and a gas generator (300) which is fluidically connected to the gas bag (200) and which, when activated, suddenly releases a very large volume flow of a gas and thereby suddenly inflates the gas bag (200) to an enlarged volume, wherein the gas bag (200) is formed from at least two interconnected layers (1, 2), wherein a first layer (1) is dimensioned such that the gas bag (200) has a flat shape on a first side in the inflated state, and the second layer (2) is dimensioned in terms of its geometry such that, on a second side of the gas bag (200), in connection with the first layer (1), it forms a conically projecting geometry of the gas bag (200) in the inflated state.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a side airbag for a vehicle having the features of the preamble of claim 1, a restraint device having the features of the preamble of claim 10 and a restraint device having the features of the preamble of claim 12.

[0002] Side airbags are attached to a seat structure, for example, in the backrest of the vehicle. In the event of an accident, they are inflated when activated to the side of the occupant sitting in the vehicle seat. These side airbags consist of an inflatable gas bag and a gas generator located within the gas bag. When activated, this gas generator suddenly releases a large amount of gas, thereby inflating the gas bag into a significantly enlarged cushion. The gas bag's position and shape are designed to inflate in such a way that the cushion restrains and cushions the occupant against predetermined displacement directions.

[0003] In the case of a side impact, a distinction is generally made between an impact of the vehicle on the side closer to the occupants (Near Side Impact) and an impact on the side further away from the occupants (Fare Side Impact).

[0004] For example, US Pat. No. 8,322,747 B2 discloses a side airbag for near side impacts, which is arranged in a vehicle seat and has a gas bag that is inflated when activated between the occupant and the side structure of the vehicle. The gas bag has a complex geometry formed by a plurality of layers of fabric of different geometries that are sewn together and folded into a compact shape. The geometry of the sewn-together layers is dimensioned such that the inflated gas bag provides a type of support for the occupant in the area of ​​their arm when the side airbag is activated. In one embodiment, the inflatable gas bag is formed from three layers that have a geometry and are sewn together in such a way that the inflated gas bag rests on an angled support surface.

[0005] A particular problem in restraining the occupant in a side impact, and in particular in a far side impact, is the lateral acceleration of the head and the load on the occupant in the neck area.

[0006] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a side airbag which is to be produced cost-effectively and enables improved restraint of the occupant with regard to the forces acting in the event of a side impact, wherein the side airbag is to be designed in particular to prevent a collision between the occupant and a neighboring occupant and to limit the transverse movement in the event of a side impact.

[0007] To achieve this object, the invention proposes an airbag having the features of claim 1 and two different restraint devices having the features of one of claims 10 and 12. Further preferred developments can be found in the subclaims, the figures, and the associated description.

[0008] According to the invention, an airbag is proposed with a gas bag and a gas generator which is fluidically connected to the gas bag and which, when activated, suddenly releases a very large volume flow of a gas and thereby suddenly inflates the gas bag to an enlarged volume, wherein the gas bag is formed from at least two interconnected layers, in which a first layer is dimensioned such that the gas bag has a flat shape on a first side in the inflated state, and the second layer is dimensioned in terms of geometry such that it forms a conically projecting geometry of the gas bag in the inflated state on a second side of the gas bag in connection with the first layer.

[0009] As a result of the proposed solution, the gas bag in the airbag has an asymmetrical shape in the inflated state with respect to a vertical center plane of the gas bag, wherein a first side is flat and a second side has a conical protruding shape. The conical protruding geometry of the gas bag is used to improve the support of the occupant on the gas bag or to improve the support of the gas bag itself on a vehicle structure. The proposed asymmetrical shape of the gas bag is achieved solely by the dimensioning of the first and second layers and their connection to one another, i.e. with a single gas bag and its geometry in the inflated state. The proposed solution is therefore very cost-effective to manufacture. Furthermore, the proposed airbag is very effective in restraining the occupant and supporting the gas bag, for example on a center console, since the support orthe airbag's occupant retention geometry is determined solely by the shape of the surface of the gas bag and not by the interaction of several gas bags.

[0010] It is further proposed that the conically protruding geometry formed on the second side of the inflated airbag be arranged with its tip above a center plane of the airbag in the inflated state. Due to the proposed arrangement of the conically protruding geometry of the airbag, the airbag can be used to improve occupant restraint against lateral accelerations acting on the occupant from the side by providing improved support to the occupant in the area of ​​their neck and throat. The airbag is inflated with the airbag and its conically outwardly protruding geometry of the second side into the space between the shoulder and the occupant's head, thereby limiting the lateral movements of the occupant's head and neck.

[0011] It is further proposed that the second layer be dimensioned and arranged such that, when inflated, it forms a support surface that slopes downwards from the upper edge of the airbag toward the center and protrudes from the airbag. This sloped support surface creates a catch surface for the occupant's head, into which the occupant's head plunges during a lateral, transverse movement, thus being caught laterally.

[0012] Furthermore, the conically projecting geometry formed on the second side in the inflated state of the gas bag can also be arranged below a center plane of the gas bag in the inflated state, so that the gas bag finds support below its center during deployment, for example on a center console or an inner lateral vehicle structure, and is thus held in position in an improved manner before and during the immersion of the occupant.

[0013] It is further proposed that the first layer have a base section and a folded section folded back onto the base section in a fold, and that the second layer is connected to the folded-back folded section and the base section on the second side. The gas bag can thus be formed from just two layers, wherein the gas bag is folded into a double layer on its second side in order to achieve the conically protruding geometry with the first layer in a partial section by the folded section and is then completed by the connection to the second layer to form the complete gas bag. This eliminates the seam formed by the fold, which on the one hand can reduce manufacturing costs and leakage when the gas bag is inflated.Furthermore, a seam is eliminated in the inflation area of ​​the airbag, which is advantageous because the seams are subjected to particularly high stress during inflation and thus represent a source of failure due to seam tearing. Alternatively, it is proposed that a third layer be provided, and that the third layer be joined to the first and second layers on the second side of the airbag, forming the conically protruding geometry of the airbag in the inflated state. The first layer thus forms the flat side of the airbag, while the second side is formed by a connection of the second and third layers.The proposed further development makes it possible to further simplify the manufacturing process by eliminating the folding process and simplifying the sewing or joining of the layers by joining the second and third layers together in a first step to create the second side and then joining them as a composite to the first layer.

[0014] It is further proposed that the second layer have a curved profile on its edge connected to the folded section or to the third layer. The curved profile of the edge of the second layer allows the conical geometry to be defined in its shape. The curvature of the edge intentionally creates an increased edge length, which, in combination with an excess material provided in the second layer and in the folded section or the third layer, enables the conically protruding geometry of the second side.

[0015] It is further proposed that the curved profile of the edge side be formed by two straight edge sections of the second layer, which are arranged at an angle to one another and connected by a curved section. The straight edge sections define the conical shape of the second side of the airbag through their length and their angle to one another, while the curved section forms the end face or tip of the conical second side.

[0016] It is further proposed that the curved edge side of the second layer and an edge side of the folded section or of the third layer extending transversely across the base section of the first layer have an identical length, which is greater than the distance between the connection points of the edge sides and an edge of the first layer in the region of the base section. The first layer thus has an edge side at the folded section that is deliberately oversized with respect to the distance between the connection points on the edge of the base section, so that the edge side of the folded section, through its length, enables the conically outwardly projecting geometry of the second side of the gas bag.Furthermore, the curved edge of the second layer connected to this edge of the folded section has an identical length, i.e. a greater length, than the distance between the above-mentioned connection points, so that the connection of the second layer to the edge of the folded section of the first layer or the edge of the third layer also has an excess, and the gas bag in this area is inflated during inflation according to the proposed conical, outward-facing geometry. The connection points of the edge sides are the connection points at which the adjoining end sections or interconnected end sections of the second layer and the folded section or the third layer are connected to the first layer. The distance between the connection points is the shortest distance between the connection points, i.e. the distance between the connection points on a straight line on which the connection points themselves lie.

[0017] Furthermore, to achieve the object, a restraint device is proposed comprising a vehicle seat with a seat surface and a backrest, and an airbag secured in a side section of the backrest according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the airbag is arranged such that the second side of the gas bag with the protruding conical geometry is directed toward a center of the backrest of the vehicle seat. Due to the proposed design of the restraint device, the occupant sitting on the vehicle seat receives improved lateral support in the event of a side impact due to the shape of the gas bag on the side facing the occupant in the inflated state.

[0018] It is further proposed that the airbag be arranged on a side of the vehicle seat facing the interior of the vehicle. The proposed airbag arrangement protects the restraint system specifically designed to restrain the occupant against a collision with an occupant sitting on the adjacent vehicle seat. This restraint case is also referred to as an occupant-to-occupant (O2O) case. In particular, the requirement to prevent a head-on collision between the occupants can be met, with the loads acting on the upper and lower neck being reduced to a maximum moment of 162 Nm in accordance with applicable requirements.Furthermore, due to the proposed design of the gas bag and the arrangement of the airbag in the vehicle seat, the occupant can be restrained in the event of a far side impact to such an extent that he or she performs a maximum transverse movement of less than 125 mm (corresponding to the yellow zone of the ENCAP test conditions) and preferably of less than 250 mm (corresponding to the green zone of the ENCAP test conditions) in relation to the center plane of the vehicle seat.

[0019] Furthermore, to achieve the object, a restraint device is proposed with a vehicle seat having a seat surface and a backrest and with an airbag fastened in a side section of the backrest according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the airbag is arranged such that the second side of the gas bag with the protruding conical geometry is directed towards an outer side of the vehicle seat adjacent to the backrest. Due to the proposed design of the restraint device, the gas bag in the airbag is supported better on an external support surface such as a center console or an inner side of the vehicle structure during deployment, so that it can perform a reduced evasive movement even when catching the occupant.

[0020] The invention will be explained below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures. Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B shows an airbag according to the invention according to a first embodiment; and Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B shows an airbag according to the invention according to a second embodiment; and Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B shows a comparison of the gas bag of the airbag according to the first embodiment with a gas bag of an airbag according to the prior art in a first perspective; and Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B shows a comparison of the gas bag of the airbag according to the first embodiment with a gas bag of an airbag according to the prior art in a second perspective; and Fig. 5A-5C show a gas bag of an airbag according to the invention according to the first embodiment in different views; and Fig. 6A-6C show a gas bag of an airbag according to the invention according to the second embodiment in different views.

[0021] In the Fig. 1A and Fig. 2A, a first layer 1 and a second layer 2 of a gas bag 200 of an airbag 100 according to the invention can be seen before folding and sewing, while the Fig. 1B and Fig. 2B shows the airbag 100 after sewing to the gas bag 200 in a spread-out state with the gas generator 300 in the installation orientation of the airbag 100.

[0022] The first layer 1 comprises a base section 4 and a folding section 3, which are separated from each other by a folding line F. The base section 4 of the first layer 1 has an outer edge 11, which defines the outer shape of the gas bag 200. Furthermore, in the area of ​​the folding line F, a Fig. 1B and Fig. 2B, a receptacle 10 for a gas generator 300 is provided, which is formed half in the base section 4 and half in the folding section 3. The folding section 3 has two opposite edge sides 13 and 14, which are connected to each other by a longer edge side 12 at the front.

[0023] The second layer 2 has an outer first curved edge side 9, which corresponds in its geometry and shape to a portion of the outer edge 11 of the first layer 1. Furthermore, the second layer 2 has a second curved edge side 5, which comprises two straight edge sections 6 and 7, which are connected to each other via a curved section 8.

[0024] To produce the geometry according to the invention, the gas bag 200 is first connected to the folded section 3 of the first layer 1 and the second layer 2 by sewing the edge sides 5 and 12 together. The thus sewn composite of the folded section 3 and the second layer 2 is then folded back onto the base section 4 along the fold line F and connected to the base section 4 by sewing the edge sides 13 and 14 of the folded section 3 and the edge side 9 of the second layer 2 onto the edge 11 of the base section 4. The longer edge side 12 of the folded section 3 and the longer edge side 5 of the second layer 2 lie in a seam on the base section 4. Since the longer edge sides 5 and 12 have a greater length L1,L2 than the distance A1,A2 of the end connection points 15 and 16 of the edge sides 13 and 14 of the folding section 3 on the edge 11, the edge side 5,12 takes a curved, in the Fig. 1B and Fig. 2B, whereby the curvature is not only in the area of ​​the base section 4 itself but also in the direction of the observer of the Fig. 1B and Fig. 2B. The folded section 3 and the second layer 2 thus have an excess of material in their edge sides 5 and 12 and also in their overall surface compared to the opposite section of the base section 4, so that they rest on the base section 4, forming waves.

[0025] Since the curved edge side 5 of the second layer 2 and the edge side 12 of the folded section 3 have an identical length L1, L2, which is greater than the distance between the end connection points of the edge sides 13 and 14 of the folded section 3, this results in an excess of the gas bag 200 on its second side, while it has a flat shape on its first side formed by the first layer 1.

[0026] To illustrate this geometry, the gas bag 200 of an airbag 100 according to the invention is shown in the Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B and Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B are compared with a gas bag 200 of an airbag 100 according to the prior art in the inflated state. As shown in the Fig. 3B and Fig. 4B, the gas bag 200 of a conventional airbag 100 has two flat sides, which are formed by a first layer 1, which is folded back onto itself with a folding section 3 to form a two-layer, essentially symmetrical geometry. Fig. 3A and Fig. The airbag 100 according to the invention shown in Figure 4A differs in that it is shaped on its first side by the first layer 1 to a flat geometry and on its second side, on the left in the illustrations, by sewing a second layer 2 shaped as described above to a correspondingly shaped and dimensioned folding section 3 of the first layer 1 due to a deliberately selected excess of material to a conical protruding geometry.

[0027] In the Fig. 5A to 5C, the airbag 100 is the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B in different perspectives with an inflated gas bag 200. The representation of the Fig. 5A corresponds to the representation of the Fig. 2B and shows the gas bag 200 in a view of the second side, which is formed by sewing the folded section 3 of the first layer 1 with the second layer 2. In the Fig. 5B is the same airbag 100 in the view from the front and in the Fig. 5C in a top view. The second layer 2 and the folded section 3 are dimensioned such that, when their edges 5 and 12 are sewn together, they form a conical, outwardly projecting geometry of the second side of the airbag 200. The second side of the airbag 200 is shaped such that the laterally projecting tip S is arranged above a center plane M of the airbag 200.

[0028] The second layer 2 and the folded section 3 are shaped such that the second layer 2 covers a triangular front surface of the first layer 1 and forms a support surface on the second side of the gas bag 200 that slopes diagonally from the top to the outside. The gas bag 200 is designed such that, in the fastening position of the airbag 100 on the vehicle, it is inflated to a geometry such that the support surface of the second layer 2 is deployed to the side of the occupant into the space between the neck and the head of the occupant, and the occupant's head is immersed in the support surface of the second layer 2 during a transverse movement.When the airbag 100 is activated, the gas bag 200 is deliberately inflated such that the tip S of the conical shape of the second side extends into the space between the shoulder and the head of the occupant up to the neck, thereby filling the space for improved lateral stabilization of the occupant. The second side of the gas bag 200 thus has a pyramidal shape with three sides in the inflated state, with one side of the pyramid being formed by the second layer 2, while the other two sides of the pyramid are formed by the folded section 3.

[0029] In the Fig. 6A to 6C, the airbag 100 is the Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B in different perspectives with an inflated gas bag 200. The representation of the Fig. 6A corresponds to the representation of the Fig. 1B in a mirrored view and shows the gas bag 200 in a view of the second side, which is formed by sewing the folded section 3 of the first layer 1 with the second layer 2. In the Fig. 6B is the same airbag 100 in the view from the front and in the Fig. 6C in the view from above. The second layer 2 and the folded section 3 are dimensioned such that, when their edges 5 and 12 are sewn together, they form a conical, outwardly projecting geometry of the second side of the gas bag 200. Here, too, the second layer 2 forms a collecting surface that slopes diagonally from the top toward the outside.

[0030] Basically, the airbag 100 according to the invention has been described using two exemplary embodiments with a first layer 1 having a folded section 3 folded back onto a base section 4, which is sewn to the second layer 2 on the second side of the airbag 200. Instead of the folded section 3, however, a third layer can also be provided, which is sewn to the second layer 2 to form the second side of the airbag 200 and is then additionally sewn together with the second layer 2 as a pre-sewn composite to the first layer 1.

[0031] In the embodiments according to the invention of the Fig. 1 to 6, the conical shape of the second side is designed such that the tip S of the second side is inflated in the region of the space between the head and the shoulder, whereby the occupant can be protected in the event of a side impact. For this purpose, the airbag 100 in a restraint device according to the invention is arranged and aligned such that the second conical side of the gas bag 200 is directed towards the center of a backrest of the vehicle seat. Depending on the arrangement of the airbag 100 on the side of the backrest facing the outside of the vehicle or on the side of the backrest facing the inside of the vehicle, the occupant can be protected against an impact on the side facing the vehicle seat (near side impact) or on the side further away from the vehicle seat (far side impact).

[0032] The airbag 100 is designed according to the embodiment of the Fig. 1A and Fig.1B or 6A to 6C are preferably arranged on a side of the vehicle seat facing the vehicle interior, whereby the restraint device is specifically designed to restrain the occupant against a collision with an occupant sitting on the adjacent vehicle seat. This restraint case is also referred to as an occupant-to-occupant (O2O) case. In particular, the requirement to prevent a head-on collision of the occupants can be met, whereby the loads acting on the upper and lower neck can be reduced to a maximum moment of 162 Nm in accordance with applicable requirements.Furthermore, due to the proposed design of the gas bag 200 and the arrangement of the airbag 100 in the vehicle seat, the occupant can be restrained in the event of a far side impact to such an extent that he or she performs a maximum transverse movement of less than 125 mm (corresponding to the yellow zone of the ENCAP test conditions) and preferably of less than 250 mm (corresponding to the green zone of the ENCAP test conditions) in relation to the center plane of the vehicle seat.

[0033] Alternatively, in an alternative restraint device according to the invention, the airbag 100 can be arranged such that the second conical side of the gas bag 200 is directed towards an outer side adjacent to the backrest or towards the outer side of the vehicle seat further away from the backrest. As a result, the airbag 100 with the gas bag 200 can be supported in an improved manner via the conically shaped second side on an external structure of the vehicle, such as a center console or an interior door panel. The second side of the gas bag 200 can be shaped such that the tip S is arranged below the center plane M, so that when the gas bag 200 is inflated, the airbag 100 with the gas bag 200 can be supported with a lower section on a center console or on a door panel and is thus supported in an improved manner compared to a pivoting movement towards the outside. 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] US 8,322,747 B2

[0004]

Claims

[1] Airbag (100) with -a gas bag (200), and -a gas generator (300) fluidically connected to the gas bag (200), which -when activated, a very large volume flow of gas is suddenly released and the gas bag (200) is thereby suddenly inflated to an increased volume, whereby -the gas bag (200) is formed from at least two interconnected layers (1, 2), characterized by , that -a first layer (1) is dimensioned such that the gas bag (200) has a flat shape on a first side in the inflated state, and -the second layer (2) is dimensioned in such a way in its geometry that, on a second side of the gas bag (200), in connection with the first layer (1), it forms a conically projecting geometry of the gas bag (200) in the inflated state. [2] Airbag (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that -the conically projecting geometry formed on the second side in the inflated state of the gas bag (200) is arranged with its tip (S) above a center plane (M) of the gas bag in the inflated state. [3] Airbag (100) according to claim 2, characterized by , that -the second layer (2) is dimensioned and arranged such that, in the inflated state, it forms a support surface which slopes downwards from the upper edge of the gas bag (200) towards the centre and projects from the gas bag (200). [4] Airbag (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that -the conically projecting geometry formed on the second side in the inflated state of the gas bag (200) is arranged with its tip (S) below a center plane (M) of the gas bag (200) in the inflated state. [5] Airbag (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that -the first layer (1) has a base section (4) and a folded section (3) folded back onto the base section (4) in a fold (F), and -the second layer (2) is connected on the second side to the folded back section (3) and the base section (4). [6] Airbag (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that -a third layer is provided, and -the third layer on the second side of the gas bag (200) is connected to the first and second layers (1, 2) to form the conically projecting three-sided geometry of the gas bag (200) in the inflated state. [7] Airbag (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that -the second layer (2) has a curved profile on its edge side (5) connected to the folded section (3) or to the third layer. [8] Airbag (100) according to claim 7, characterized by , that -the curved course of the edge side (5) is formed by two straight edge sections (6, 7) of the second layer (2), which are arranged at an angle to one another and are connected to one another via a curved section (8). [9] Airbag (100) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized by that the curved edge side (5) of the second layer (2) and an edge side (12) of the folded section (3) or of the third layer extending transversely over the base section (4) of the first layer (1) have an identical length (L1, L2), which is greater than the distance (A1, A2) of the connection points (15, 16) of the edge sides (5, 12) with an edge (9) of the first layer (1) in the region of the base section (4). [10] Restraint device with a vehicle seat having a seat surface and a backrest and an airbag (100) fastened in a side section of the backrest according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that -the airbag (100) is arranged such that the second side of the gas bag (200) with the protruding conical geometry is directed towards a center of the backrest of the vehicle seat. [11] Restraint device according to claim 10, characterized by , that -the airbag (100) is arranged on a side of the vehicle seat facing the vehicle interior. [12] Restraint device with a vehicle seat having a seat surface and a backrest and an airbag (100) fastened in a side section of the backrest according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that -the airbag (100) is arranged such that the second side of the gas bag (200) with the protruding conical geometry is directed towards an outer side of the vehicle seat adjacent to the backrest.

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