Impact protection device

Abstract

The invention relates to an impact protection device (1), in particular for the A-pillar (5) of a motor vehicle (2), comprising a base plate (6) and a protective plate (7), wherein the base plate (6) can be fixed in a fixed position and the protective plate (7) can be displaced relative to the base plate (6), wherein the protective plate (7) rests at least partially on the base plate (6) in a first operating position and a clearance (8) is defined between the base plate (6) and the protective plate (7), wherein the protective plate (7) is arranged to be lifted off the base plate (6) in a second operating position, and wherein an actuator device (9) is arranged which causes the protective plate (7) to be lifted off the base plate (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an impact protection device, in particular for an A-pillar of a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] For motor vehicles, as motorized road users alongside pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users, impact protection is a crucial issue to minimize injuries to people colliding with the vehicle in an accident. In the past, a type of airbag has been developed that inflates in front of the hood and windshield in the event of a crash to cushion the impact as much as possible. Hoods that lift off in a crash and assume a steeper angle to provide a wider deformation zone have also become known.

[0003] However, these methods are only suitable for the area of ​​the front or hood. A hard impact against the A-pillar of the vehicle is only minimally dampened by them.

[0004] JP 2006-282 105 A discloses an impact protection device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] The task is to create an impact protection device that effectively dampens an impact against an A-pillar, thereby minimizing the consequences of such an accident. It is also the task to create a motor vehicle equipped with an improved impact protection device.

[0006] The problem with the impact protection device is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0007] One embodiment of the invention relates to an impact protection device, particularly for the A-pillar of a motor vehicle, comprising a base plate and a protective plate. The base plate is fixed in position, and the protective plate is movable relative to the base plate. In a first operating position, the protective plate rests at least partially on the base plate, and a clearance is defined between the base plate and the protective plate. In a second operating position, the protective plate is arranged to be raised from the base plate. An actuator is arranged to cause the protective plate to be raised from the base plate. The actuator controls the lifting of the protective plate to create a defined evasive space in the event of an impact against the protective plate, thus dissipating energy in a controlled manner. This further improves pedestrian protection.

[0008] It is particularly advantageous if the protective plate is made of an elastic material, such that it yields upon impact, especially in an elastic manner. This allows for additional energy dissipation, further increasing pedestrian safety.

[0009] According to the invention, the actuator assembly comprises a number of bead strands, each of which has bead elements threaded onto a strand element. The bead strands serve to lift the protective plate from the base plate. Therefore, it is advantageous to provide at least three or four or more such bead strands to ensure stable support of the protective plate when distributed.

[0010] In one embodiment, it is also advantageous if the strands of beads, with their respective strand elements, are spaced apart from each other at one of their ends on the protective plate. This ensures stable support for the protective plate.

[0011] According to the invention, the respective strand element is guided through an opening in the base plate and connected to an actuator. This allows the actuator to be arranged on the back of the base plate, reducing the installation space on the front and enabling a flat design. Furthermore, arranging the actuator on the back of the base plate improves pedestrian safety because it prevents impacts on the actuator.

[0012] According to the invention, the actuator is designed and configured to move the strand elements in a controlled manner from the first operating position, in which the strand elements are loosely arranged, to a second operating position, in which the strand elements are tautly tensioned. The actuator is able to tension the strand elements by pulling on them or by some other movement.

[0013] According to the invention, in the first operating position the bead elements are loosely threaded onto the strand elements, and in the second operating position the bead elements are stacked on top of each other. Stacking is achieved by pulling on the strand elements, so that the bead elements line up closely together along the taut strand elements.

[0014] It is also advantageous if a strand element is a metal or plastic wire and / or rope. This allows for a very stable design that enables high tensile strength, facilitating the rapid deployment of the beaded elements. This allows pedestrian protection to be activated very quickly, especially within fractions of a second.

[0015] It is also advantageous if a bead element is a perforated metal and / or synthetic element. This allows for a lightweight yet stable design, enabling quick setup of the bead elements. As a result, pedestrian protection can be activated very rapidly, often within fractions of a second.

[0016] The problem relating to the motor vehicle is solved by the features of claim 7.

[0017] One embodiment of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a body having a front end and with laterally arranged A-pillars on both sides of the windshield, wherein such an impact protection device is arranged on each of the A-pillars.

[0018] The invention will now be explained in detail using an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawing. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a motor vehicle with an impact protection device according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic view of an embodiment of an impact protection device, Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of an A-pillar of a motor vehicle with an impact protection device, Fig. 4 another schematic view of the embodiment of the impact protection device, Fig. 5 another schematic view of a detail of the embodiment of the impact protection device, Fig. 6 another schematic view of a detail of the embodiment of the impact protection device in the first operating position, Fig. 7 another schematic view of a detail of the embodiment of the impact protection device in an intermediate position between the first operating position and the second operating position, Fig. 8 a further schematic view of a detail of the embodiment of the impact protection device in the second operating position, and Fig. 9 another schematic view of the impact protection device in the second operating position in a schematically represented head impact.

[0019] The Fig. Figures 1 to 9 show a motor vehicle and an impact protection device in various illustrations, for example for pedestrian protection in the event of an impact against an A-pillar of the motor vehicle.

[0020] The Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle 2 with a body 3 with a front 4 and with laterally arranged A-pillars 5 on both sides of the windshield, wherein an impact protection device 1 is arranged on each of the A-pillars 5.

[0021] The impact protection device 1 is in a normal operating state in an applied first operating position, as first operating state, and it is activated upon a detected impact against the vehicle and moved into a second operating position, as second operating state, in which the impact protection device 1 offers increased impact protection, for example for improved pedestrian protection.

[0022] The impact protection device 1, as described in the Fig. 1 to 9, as shown, in particular for the A-pillar 5 of a motor vehicle 2, it has a base plate 6 and a protective plate 7.

[0023] In this embodiment, the base plate 6 is fixed to the A-pillar 5, for example by being screwed in place. In other applications, the base plate 6 can also be arranged differently.

[0024] The protective plate 7 is mounted so that it can be moved relative to the base plate 6. In a first operating position, the protective plate 7 rests at least partially on the base plate 6, thus defining a clearance 8 between the base plate 6 and the protective plate 7. In a second operating position, the protective plate 7 is arranged to be raised away from the base plate 6 (see also...). Fig. 2.

[0025] Furthermore, an actuator device 9 is arranged which controls the lifting of the protective plate 7 from the base plate 6.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the protective plate 7 is made of an elastic material such that the protective plate 7 yields upon impact, for example of a head 10, on the protective plate 7, in particular yields elastically, see Fig. 9.

[0027] The Fig. Figures 2 to 9 show that the actuator device 9 is designed such that a number of strands of beads 11 are provided, each of which has bead elements 13 threaded onto a strand element 12.

[0028] The bead strands 11 are designed such that their respective strand elements 12 are spaced apart from one another at one of their ends on the protective plate 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the strand elements 12 are attached in corner regions of the protective plate 7.

[0029] Furthermore, the bead strands 11 are designed such that the respective strand element 12 is passed through an opening 14 in the base plate 6 and connected to an actuator 15. The respective opening 14 can also be designed as a channel, for example as a curved channel, which is formed, for example, by a channel element 16, as shown in the Fig. 6 to 8 is recognizable.

[0030] The actuator 15 is designed and configured to move the strand elements 12 from the first operating position, in which the strand elements 12 are arranged loosely, to a second operating position, in which the strand elements 12 are arranged under taut tension.

[0031] In Fig. Figure 6 shows, for example, how the strand elements 12 are arranged loosely in the first operating position. The actuator 15 is not activated and the protective plate 7 rests on the base plate 6.

[0032] In Fig. Figure 7 shows, for example, that the strand elements 12 begin to be tensioned so that they are positioned between the first operating position and the second operating position. The actuator 15 is already partially activated and is beginning to tension the strand elements 12, and the protective plate 7 begins to lift off the base plate 6.

[0033] In Fig. Figure 8 shows that the strand elements 12 are arranged in the second operating position under tension. The actuator 15 is activated and tensions the strand elements 12, the protective plate 7 is lifted from the base plate 6, and the bead elements 13 each form a stable bead stack.

[0034] In the first operating position, the bead elements 13 are loosely threaded onto the strand elements 12, and in the second operating position, the bead elements 13 are stacked on top of each other to form bead stacks. By arranging the bead elements 13 into bead stacks, the protective plate 7 is lifted from the base plate 6.

[0035] The actuator 15 is designed to tension the strand elements 12 in a controlled manner in order to set up the bead stacks.

[0036] Preferably the strand elements 12 are designed as a metal or plastic wire and / or rope.

[0037] The bead elements 13 are preferably designed as perforated metal and / or synthetic elements. In an advantageous embodiment, the bead elements 13 can also be designed such that they are positively connected to one another after assembly.

[0038] The first bead element 13 can also be positively engaged in the strand guide, such as in an opening or recess of the channel element 16 acting as a strand guide, for example in a conical recess. This improves the arrangement and retention of the first bead element 13 on the base plate 6.

[0039] The number of bead elements 13 per bead strand 11 and their height define the lift of the protective plate 7 from the base plate 6. Reference symbol list 1 Impact protection device 2 motor vehicles 3 Bodywork 4 Bug 5 A-pillars 6 Base plate 7 Protective plate 8 Free space 9 Actuator setup 10 heads 11 strands of pearls 12 strand elements 13 pearl elements 14 Opening 15 Actuator 16 channel elements

Claims

[1] Impact protection device (1) for the A-pillar (5) of a motor vehicle (2), comprising a base plate (6) and a protective plate (7), wherein the base plate (6) is fixed in position and the protective plate (7) is displaceable relative to the base plate (6), wherein the protective plate (7) rests at least partially on the base plate (6) in a first operating position and a clearance (8) is defined between the base plate (6) and the protective plate (7), wherein the protective plate (7) is arranged to be lifted from the base plate (6) in a second operating position, wherein an actuator device (9) is arranged which causes the protective plate (7) to be lifted from the base plate (6), characterized by, that the actuator device (9) has a number of bead strands (11), each of which has bead elements (13) threaded onto a strand element (12), wherein the respective strand element (12) is passed through an opening (14) in the base plate (6) and is connected to an actuator (15), wherein the actuator (15) is provided and designed to move the strand elements (12) in a controlled manner from the first operating position, in which the strand elements (12) are arranged loosely, to a second operating position, in which the strand elements (12) are arranged taut, wherein the bead elements (13) are loosely threaded onto the strand elements (12) in the first operating position and are arranged stacked on top of each other in the second operating position. [2] Impact protection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the protective plate (7) is made of an elastic material, such that the protective plate (7) yields upon impact on the protective plate (7), in particular yields elastically [3] Impact protection device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the protective plate (7) yields elastically upon impact on the protective plate (7). [4] Impact protection device (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by , that the strands of beads (11) with their respective strand element (12) are arranged spaced apart from each other at one of its ends on the protective plate (7). [5] Impact protection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a strand element (12) is a metal or plastic wire and / or rope. [6] Impact protection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a bead element (13) is a perforated metal and / or artificial element. [7] Motor vehicle (2) with a body (3) with a front (4) and with laterally arranged A-pillars (5) on both sides of the windshield, wherein an impact protection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims is arranged on each of the A-pillars (5).

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