Side airbag for a vehicle

Abstract

Airbag (100) with -a gasbag (200), and -a gas generator (300) fluidically connected to the gasbag (200), which -upon activation, it suddenly releases a very large volume flow of gas, thereby suddenly inflating the gas bag (200) to an increased volume, whereby -the gas bag (200) has a flat shape on a first side in the inflated state, and on a second side of the gas bag (200) has a conically projecting geometry of the gas bag (200) in the inflated state, characterized in that -the gasbag (200) is formed from two interconnected layers (1,2), and -a first layer (1) is dimensioned such that the gas bag (200) has a flat shape on the first side when inflated, and -the second layer (2) is dimensioned in the geometry such that, in conjunction with the first layer (1), it forms the conically projecting geometry of the gas bag (200) in the inflated state on the second side of the gas bag (200), wherein -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 with the folded-back section (3) and the base section (4).

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 8 and a restraint device having the features of the preamble of claim 10.

[0002] Side airbags are attached to the seat structure in the backrests of the vehicle and, in the event of an accident, inflate to the side of the occupant seated in the vehicle. The side airbags consist of an inflatable gas bag and a gas generator located within the gas bag. Upon activation, the generator suddenly releases a large volume of gas, inflating the airbag into a significantly larger cushion. The design and shape of the gas bag ensure that it inflates in such a way that it restrains and cushions the occupant against predetermined forces.

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

[0004] US Patent 8,322,747 B2 discloses a side airbag for near-side impact situations, which is arranged in a vehicle seat and includes a gas bag that inflates between the occupant and the side structure of the vehicle upon activation. The gas bag has a complex geometry formed by multiple layers of fabric with varying geometries, sewn together and folded into a compact form. The sewn layers are dimensioned such that, upon activation of the side airbag, the inflated gas bag provides support for the occupant's arm. In one embodiment, the inflatable gas bag consists of three layers with this geometry, sewn together to create an angled contact surface for the inflated gas bag. A particular problem in restraining the occupant during a side impact, and especially in a far side impact, is the lateral acceleration of the head and the stress on the occupant in the neck area.

[0005] From publication US 2022 / 0 176 904 A1, a side airbag designed for a Far Side Impact is also known, which, through a complex composite of a multitude of layers, has a flat shape on one side and a conical shape on a second side when inflated.

[0006] Furthermore, a gasbag with several layers and seams for realizing a complex geometry of a front gasbag and in particular a passenger gasbag in the inflated state, which has several projections, is known from the publication DE 10 2006 022 078 A1.

[0007] Against this background, the invention is based on the objective of providing a side airbag with a gas bag having a flat shape on a first side and a conically protruding geometry on a second side, which should be cost-effective to manufacture.

[0008] To solve the problem, the invention proposes an airbag with the features of claim 1 and two different restraint devices with the features of one of claims 8 and 10. Further preferred developments can be found in the dependent claims, the figures, and the accompanying description.

[0009] According to the invention, an airbag is proposed comprising a gas bag and a gas generator fluidly connected to the gas bag, which, upon activation, suddenly releases a very large volume flow of gas and thereby suddenly inflates the gas bag to an increased volume, wherein the gas bag is formed from two interconnected layers, wherein 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 such a way that, on a second side of the gas bag, it forms a conically projecting geometry of the gas bag in the inflated state in conjunction with the first layer.

[0010] The proposed solution results in an airbag with an asymmetrical shape relative to a vertical central plane when inflated. One side is flat, while the other has a conical shape. This conical geometry improves occupant support and provides enhanced support for the airbag itself against the vehicle structure. The proposed asymmetrical shape is achieved solely through the design of the first and second layers and their connection, i.e., with a single airbag and its inflated geometry. This makes the proposed solution very cost-effective to manufacture. Furthermore, the proposed airbag is highly effective at restraining the occupant and supporting the airbag, for example, against a center console, as the support is significantly improved.The airbag's capture geometry for the occupant is determined solely by the shape of the airbag's surface and not by the interaction of multiple airbags.

[0011] It is further proposed that the conically projecting geometry formed on the second side of the airbag when inflated be positioned with its apex above a central plane of the airbag in its inflated state. This proposed arrangement of the conically projecting geometry allows the airbag to provide improved restraint of the occupant against lateral accelerations acting laterally, by offering enhanced support to the occupant's neck and head. The airbag, along with the airbag and its conically projecting geometry on the second side, is inflated into the space between the occupant's shoulder and head, thereby limiting the lateral movements of the occupant's head and neck.

[0012] It is further proposed that the second layer be dimensioned and arranged so that, when inflated, it forms a support surface that slopes downwards from the upper edge of the gasbag towards the center and projects from the gasbag. This sloping support surface creates a catching area for the occupant's head, into which the occupant's head dips during a lateral movement and is thus caught laterally.

[0013] Furthermore, the conically protruding geometry formed on the second side when the gasbag is inflated can also be arranged below a central plane of the gasbag in the inflated state, so that the gasbag itself finds support below its center during deployment, e.g. on a center console or an inner lateral vehicle structure, and is thereby held in position better before and during the immersion of the occupant.

[0014] It is further proposed that the first layer comprises a base section and a folded section that is folded back onto the base section, and that the second layer is connected to the folded-back section and the base section on the second side. The gasbag can thus be formed from only two layers, with the gasbag being folded twice on its second side to achieve the conically projecting geometry. This is achieved by partially folding the first layer through the folded section and then connecting it to the second layer to form the complete gasbag. This eliminates a seam formed by the fold, thereby reducing both manufacturing costs and leakage during inflation.Furthermore, a seam in the inflation area of ​​the gas bag is saved, which is advantageous because the seams are subject to a particularly high stress during inflation and thus represent a source of error due to the seam tearing.

[0015] Alternatively, it is proposed that a third layer be provided, and that this third layer be connected to the first and second layers on the second side of the gas bag, forming the conically protruding geometry of the gas bag when inflated. The first layer thus forms the flat side of the gas bag, while the second side is formed by a connection between the second and third layers. This proposed improvement further simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the folding step and simplifying the sewing or joining of the layers. This is achieved by first connecting the second and third layers to each other to create the second side, and then joining them as a composite to the first layer.

[0016] It is further proposed that the second layer has a curved edge where it connects to the folded section. This curved edge of the second layer defines the conical geometry, with the curvature intentionally resulting in an increased edge length. This, combined with excess material in the second layer and in the folded section or third layer, enables the conically projecting geometry of the second side.

[0017] It is further proposed that the curved profile of the edge is formed by two straight edge sections of the second layer, which are arranged at an angle to each other and connected by a curved section. The straight edge sections, by their length and their angle to each other, define the conical shape of the second side of the gas bag, while the curved section forms the end face or the tip of the conical second side.

[0018] It is further proposed that the curved edge of the second layer and an edge of the folded section 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 of the folded section and an edge of the first layer in the area of ​​the base section. The first layer thus has an edge at the folded section that deliberately has an excess length relative to the distance between the connection points on the edge of the base section, so that the length of the edge of the folded section enables the conically outwardly projecting geometry of the second side of the gasbag.Furthermore, the curved edge of the second layer, connected to this edge of the folded section, has an identical length, and therefore a greater length, than the distance between the aforementioned connection points. Consequently, the connection between the second layer and the edge of the folded section of the first layer, or the edge of the third layer, also has an excess length, and the gas bag inflates in this area according to the proposed conical, outward-facing geometry. The connection points of the edges are those where the adjacent end sections or interconnected end sections of the second layer and the folded section, or the third layer, are joined to the first layer. The distance between the connection points is the shortest distance between them, i.e., the distance between the connection points along a straight line on which the connection points themselves lie.

[0019] Furthermore, to solve the problem, a restraint device is proposed comprising a vehicle seat with a seat surface and a backrest, and an airbag attached to a side section of the backrest according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the airbag is arranged such that the second side of the airbag with the aforementioned conical geometry is directed towards the center of the backrest of the vehicle seat. Due to the shape of the airbag on the side facing the occupant, the proposed design of the restraint device provides improved lateral support in the event of a side impact when the airbag is inflated.

[0020] It is further proposed that the airbag be positioned on the side of the vehicle seat facing the interior. This proposed airbag arrangement protects the restraint system specifically designed to restrain the occupant in the event of a collision with an occupant in the adjacent vehicle seat. This restraint scenario is also known as an occupant-to-occupant (O2O) collision. In particular, this arrangement fulfills the requirement to prevent head collisions between occupants, reducing the forces acting on the upper and lower neck to a maximum moment of 162 Nm, in accordance with applicable requirements.The proposed design of the gasbag and the arrangement of the airbag in the vehicle seat further enable the occupant to be restrained in the event of a far side impact to such an extent that he performs a maximum lateral movement of less than 125 mm (corresponding to the yellow zone of the ENCAP test conditions) and preferably less than 250 mm (corresponding to the green zone of the ENCAP test conditions) in relation to the central plane of the vehicle seat.

[0021] Furthermore, to solve the problem, a restraint device is proposed comprising a vehicle seat with a seat surface and a backrest, and an airbag attached to a side section of the backrest according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the airbag is arranged such that the second side of the airbag with the aforementioned conical geometry faces an outer surface of the vehicle seat adjacent to the backrest. The proposed design of the restraint device provides improved support for the airbag during deployment against an external support surface, such as a center console or an inner surface of the vehicle structure, so that it can perform a reduced evasive movement even when catching the occupant.

[0022] The invention is explained below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B an airbag according to the invention in a first embodiment; and Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B an airbag according to the invention in a second embodiment; and Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B 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 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 from a second perspective; and Fig. 5A-5C a gas bag of an airbag according to the invention in the first embodiment in various views; and Fig. 6A-6C shows a gas bag of an airbag according to the invention as described in the second embodiment in different views.

[0023] In the Fig. 1A and Fig. 2A shows a first layer 1 and a second layer 2 of a gas bag 200 of an airbag 100 according to the invention before folding and sewing, while the Fig. 1B and Fig. 2B shows the airbag 100 after sewing it to the gasbag 200 in an expanded state with the gas generator 300 in the installation orientation of the airbag 100.

[0024] The first layer 1 comprises a base section 4 and a fold section 3, which are separated from each other by a fold 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 fold line F, there is a Fig. 1B and Fig. The receptacle 10 shown in Figure 2B is for a gas generator 300, 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 end side 12.

[0025] The second layer 2 has an outer first curved edge 9, which in its geometry and course corresponds to a section of the outer edge 11 of the first layer 1. Furthermore, the second layer 2 has a second curved edge 5, which comprises two straight edge sections 6 and 7 that are connected to each other via a curved section 8.

[0026] To produce the geometry according to the invention, the gasbag 200 is first joined by sewing the folded section 3 of the first layer 1 and the second layer 2 together by sewing the edge sides 5 and 12. The sewn joint 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 to 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 thus 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 fold section 3 on the edge 11, the edge side 5,12 takes on a curved shape, in the Fig. 1B and Fig. 2B reveals a course where the curvature is not only in the area of ​​the base section 4 itself, but also in the direction of the viewer. Fig. 1B and Fig. 2B is aligned. 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 total area compared to the opposite section of the base section 4, so that they lie on the base section 4 forming waves.

[0027] Since the curved edge 5 of the second layer 2 and the edge 12 of the folding section 3 have an identical length L1,L2, which is greater than the distance between the end connection points of the edge 13 and 14 of the folding section 3, the gas bag 200 has an excess on its second side, while it has a flat shape on its first side formed by the first layer 1.

[0028] 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 each compared to a gas bag 200 and an airbag 100 according to the state of the art in the inflated state. As in the Fig. 3B and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4B, the gas bag 200 of a conventional airbag 100 has two flat sides, which are formed by a first layer 1 that is folded back on itself by a folding section 3 to form a two-layer, essentially symmetrical geometry. A [missing text] in the Fig. 3A and Fig. The airbag 100 shown in Figure 4A according to the invention differs in that on its first side it is formed to a flat geometry by the first layer 1 and on its second side (left in the illustrations) it is formed to a conical protruding geometry 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 chosen excess of material.

[0029] In the Fig. 5A to 5C is the airbag 100 of the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B can be seen from different perspectives with an inflated gasbag 200. The depiction of the Fig. 5A corresponds to the representation of the Fig. 2B shows the gasbag 200 in a view of the second side, which is formed by sewing the folded section 3 of the first layer 1 to the second layer 2. In the Fig. 5B is the same airbag 100 in the view from the front and in the Fig. 5C can be seen in the top view. The second layer 2 and the folded section 3 are dimensioned such that, in the stitching of their edge sides 5 and 12, they form a conical, outwardly projecting geometry of the second side of the gas bag 200. The second side of the gas bag 200 is shaped such that the laterally projecting tip S is located above a central plane M of the gas bag 200.

[0030] The second layer 2 and the folding 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 airbag 200 that slopes obliquely from top to outside. The airbag 200 is designed so that, in the airbag 100's mounting position on the vehicle, it inflates to a geometry such that the support surface of the second layer 2 unfolds laterally into the space between the occupant's neck and head, and the occupant's head is forced into the support surface of the second layer 2 during a lateral movement.When the airbag 100 is activated, the gas bag 200 is deliberately inflated so that the tip S of the conical shape of the second side extends into the space between the occupant's shoulder and head, reaching up to the neck, thus filling this space and providing improved lateral stabilization. In its inflated state, the second side of the gas bag 200 therefore has a three-sided pyramid shape, with one side of the pyramid formed by the second layer 2, while the other two sides of the pyramid are formed by the folded section 3.

[0031] In the Fig. 6A to 6C is the airbag 100 of the Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B can be seen from different perspectives with an inflated gasbag 200. The representation of the Fig. 6A corresponds to the representation of the Fig. Figure 1B is a mirrored representation and shows the gasbag 200 in a view of the second side, which is formed by sewing the folded section 3 of the first layer 1 to the second layer 2. In the Fig. 6B is the same airbag 100 in the view from the front and in the Fig. 6C can be seen in the top view. The second layer 2 and the folded section 3 are dimensioned such that the stitching of their edge sides 5 and 12 forms a conical, outwardly projecting geometry of the second side of the gas bag 200. Here too, the second layer 2 forms a collection surface sloping diagonally from the top towards the outside.

[0032] The airbag 100 according to the invention was described in principle 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. However, instead of the folded section 3, 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 assembly to the first layer 1.

[0033] In the embodiments according to the invention, Fig. In figures 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 area of ​​the space between the head and the shoulder, thereby protecting the occupant in the event of a side impact. For this purpose, the airbag 100 is arranged and oriented in a restraint device according to the invention such that the second conical side of the airbag 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 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).

[0034] The airbag 100 is, 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 interior, whereby the restraint system is specifically designed to restrain the occupant in the event of a collision with an occupant sitting in the adjacent vehicle seat. This restraint scenario is also referred to as the occupant-to-occupant (O2O) scenario. In particular, this fulfills the requirement to prevent a head collision between occupants, whereby the loads acting on the upper and lower neck can be reduced to a maximum moment of 162 Nm in accordance with the applicable requirements.The proposed design of the gasbag 200 and the arrangement of the airbag 100 in the vehicle seat further enables the occupant to be restrained in the event of a far side impact to such an extent that he performs a maximum lateral movement of less than 125 mm (corresponding to the yellow zone of the ENCAP test conditions) and preferably less than 250 mm (corresponding to the green zone of the ENCAP test conditions) with respect to the central plane of the vehicle seat.

[0035] 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 faces either an outer surface adjacent to the backrest or an outer surface of the vehicle seat further away from the backrest. This allows the airbag 100, together with the gas bag 200, to be better supported by its conically shaped second side against an external structure of the vehicle, such as a center console or a door panel. The second side of the gas bag 200 can be shaped such that the tip S is located below the central plane M, so that when the gas bag 200 is inflated, its lower section can be supported by the airbag 100 against a center console or a door panel, thus providing better support against a pivoting movement towards the outside.

Claims

[1] Airbag (100) with -a gasbag (200), and -a gas generator (300) fluidically connected to the gasbag (200), which -upon activation, it suddenly releases a very large volume flow of gas, thereby suddenly inflating the gas bag (200) to an increased volume, whereby -the gasbag (200) has a flat shape on a first side when inflated, and a conically protruding geometry on a second side of the gasbag (200) when inflated, characterized by , that -the gasbag (200) is formed from two interconnected layers (1,2), and -a first layer (1) is dimensioned such that the gas bag (200) has a flat shape on the first side when inflated, and -the second layer (2) is dimensioned in the geometry such that, in conjunction with the first layer (1), it forms the conically projecting geometry of the gas bag (200) in the inflated state on the second side of the gas bag (200), wherein -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 with the folded-back section (3) and the base section (4). [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 median plane (M) of the gas bag (200) in the inflated state. [3] Airbag (100) according to claim 2, characterized by , that -the second layer (2) is dimensioned and arranged such that, when inflated, it forms a support surface that slopes downwards from the upper edge of the gas bag (200) towards the center 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 median plane (M) of the gas bag (200) in the inflated state. [5] Airbag (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that -the second layer (2) has a curved shape on its edge side (5) connected with the fold section (3). [6] Airbag (100) according to claim 5, 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 each other and are connected to each other via a curved section (8). [7] Airbag (100) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized by , that the curved edge (5) of the second layer (2) and an edge (12) of the folded section (3) extending across 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 (5,12) with an edge (9) of the first layer (1) in the area of ​​the base section (4). [8] Restraint device comprising a vehicle seat with a seat surface and a backrest and an airbag (100) attached in a side section of the backrest according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that -the airbag (100) is arranged such that the second side of the gasbag (200) with the aforementioned conical geometry is directed towards a center of the backrest of the vehicle seat. [9] Restraint device according to claim 8, characterized by , that -the airbag (100) is located on a side of the vehicle seat facing the inside of the vehicle. [10] Restraint device comprising a vehicle seat with a seat surface and a backrest and an airbag (100) attached in a side section of the backrest according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that -the airbag (100) is arranged such that the second side of the airbag (200) with the aforementioned conical geometry is directed towards an outside of the vehicle seat adjacent to the backrest.

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