RETIREABLE HOLDING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a releasable holding device for a traction means of a gas bag.

[0002] Airbags are part of vehicle safety systems. A traction mechanism is often attached to the airbag. The traction mechanism can be used to control the airbag's deployment, for example, by releasing the traction mechanism after the airbag has been at least partially filled with gas. This allows the desired deployment behavior of the airbag to be achieved.

[0003] In addition, the tension mechanism can prevent the airbag from expanding excessively in a certain direction when inflated. This function is used, for example, in adaptive airbag concepts or for active airbag ventilation.

[0004] Releasable holding devices are known for releasing the traction mechanism. When the holding device is triggered, a blocking element, for example, is moved out of a locked position by a pyrotechnic device, in which it holds the traction mechanism. The disadvantage of this is that the blocking element moves uncontrollably in the surrounding area after being triggered.

[0005] For example, DE 10 2005 058 721 A1, which corresponds to the preamble, shows an actuator device designed as a pyrotechnic actuator unit, which has a multi-part housing, wherein a first housing part has a latching section for fastening the actuator unit in a component and a second housing part is movable relative to the first housing part upon activation of a pyrotechnic igniter.

[0006] Especially for test setups where a vehicle safety system is not installed in the standard vehicle environment, additional safety precautions must be taken to ensure that the locking device remains attached to the test setup even after the holding device is triggered and cannot cause damage to surrounding objects, such as measuring equipment. However, this involves additional effort.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a releasable holding device for a traction means of a gas bag, in which additional safety precautions can be omitted.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by a releasable holding device for a traction means of a gas bag, with a holder, a blocking part which is movably mounted in the holder and which is adjustable between a blocking position in which it keeps the traction means blocked and a release position in which the traction means is released, a pyrotechnic device which is coupled to the blocking part in such a way that it is adjusted from the blocking to the release position when the pyrotechnic device is activated, and a retaining means which is firmly connected to the blocking part and which, in the release position of the blocking part, cooperates with a retaining geometry in the holder in order to hold the blocking part in its release position in the holder.

[0009] The holding device according to the invention has the advantage that the blocking part cannot detach from the holding device in an uncontrolled manner. This eliminates the need for additional safety precautions in a test setup.

[0010] The pyrotechnic device includes, for example, a propellant charge and an igniter, which in turn has a firing head and electrical wires.

[0011] The blocking part is preferably made of metal. This allows it to absorb high transverse forces.

[0012] According to one aspect, the retaining means is formed on a base in which the blocking part is held, wherein the retaining means protrudes laterally from the base. A retaining geometry can thus also be arranged laterally of the base. This has the advantage that the retaining geometry is not arranged in the movement path of the blocking part, so that installation of the blocking part in the holder is not hindered by the retaining geometry.

[0013] The base is preferably a plastic part, and the blocking part is overmolded with the plastic forming the base in the area of ​​the pyrotechnic device. For example, during the production of the base, the blocking part is inserted into a corresponding mold as an insert and overmolded. This ensures that the base is held particularly reliably to the blocking part. Furthermore, fewer individual parts need to be handled during assembly of the holding device.

[0014] Alternatively, the blocking part can be inserted into the base. This allows the blocking part and the base to be manufactured independently of each other and sourced from different suppliers.

[0015] The retaining element is, for example, a tab that protrudes diagonally outwards from the base. The tab thus forms a hook that can engage with a corresponding retaining geometry, allowing the blocking element to be held particularly reliably in the holder.

[0016] A free end of the tab points particularly in the direction of the retention geometry.

[0017] According to one variant, the tab is flexible. This is particularly advantageous with regard to assembly of the holding device, especially when inserting the blocking part with the attached base into the holder. The tab can be pushed inwards slightly when the base is pushed into the holder, so that movement of the base is not blocked during assembly. In particular, the tab can be moved beyond the retaining geometry during assembly. When the blocking part with the base is in the end position, which corresponds to the blocking position of the blocking part, the tab returns to its upright position and, in this state, ensures reliable retention of the blocking part on the holder.

[0018] The base is guided, for example, along an inner wall of the holder, and the inner wall has a recess that extends in the direction of movement of the blocking part and into which the retaining means protrudes at least a short distance. The recess thus forms a free space in which the retaining means can move unhindered when the holding device is triggered. Thus, the blocking part can be moved out of the blocking position without the movement being initially blocked by the retaining means.

[0019] A length of the recess in the direction of movement of the blocking part thus defines a possible displacement path of the blocking part from the blocking position to the release position.

[0020] According to the invention, the retaining geometry is a recess that extends to an outer side of the holder, wherein the retaining means is received in the recess in a release position of the blocking part, in particular extending through the recess. In this way, the retaining means is hooked into the recess. Such a retaining geometry in combination with a corresponding retaining means is particularly advantageous because, even in the case of an unfavorable tolerance position, the retaining means cannot slip over the retaining geometry when the holding device is triggered.

[0021] For example, the recess connects axially to the depression. This means that the depression merges into the recess. When the retaining element reaches the end of the depression, it can move directly into the recess, resulting in an interaction between the retaining element and the retaining geometry.

[0022] In particular, an inlet opening of the recess opens into the depression and is formed on an end wall of the depression.

[0023] The base is preferably guided in the holder in a rotationally fixed manner. This ensures that the retaining device interacts reliably with the retaining geometry.

[0024] More precisely, the base is guided in a defined angular position in the holder.

[0025] In particular, a projection is molded onto the base, and the holder has a groove or slot on its inner wall in which the projection is guided. This creates a linear guide.

[0026] According to one variant, the holder has a slot for accommodating the traction device, with the blocking part being accommodated in the holder on both sides of the slot. This ensures stable mounting of the blocking part in the holder, which in turn allows for the absorption of high transverse forces.

[0027] Further advantages and features are apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. The drawings show: Figure 1 a releasable holding device according to the invention in a non-released state in a sectional view, Figure 2 the releasable holding device Figure 1 in triggered state, Figure 3 a detailed view of a retaining mechanism of the holding device, Figure 4 a blocking part of the holding device with a base part attached thereto, and Figure 5 a holder of the holding device.

[0028] Figure 1shows a releasable holding device 10 for a traction means 12 of a gas bag.

[0029] The holding device 10 comprises a holder 14, which can also be Figure 5 The holder 14 is, for example, a plastic injection-molded part.

[0030] A blocking part 16 is mounted in the holder 14 in a movable, in particular linearly displaceable manner. More precisely, the blocking part 16 can be moved from a blocking position, which is Figure 1 shown, into a release position, which is Figure 2 is shown.

[0031] In the blocking position, the blocking part 16 keeps the traction means 12 blocked.

[0032] For this purpose, the traction means 12, which in the embodiment is a retaining strap, has a loop 18 which is placed around the blocking part 16 in the blocking position.

[0033] The holder 14 has a slot 20 to accommodate the traction device 12.

[0034] In the embodiment, the blocking part 16 is a sleeve.

[0035] Furthermore, a pyrotechnic device 22 is provided which is coupled to the blocking part 16 in such a way that the blocking part 16 is moved from the blocking position to the release position upon activation of the pyrotechnic device 22.

[0036] The pyrotechnic device 22 comprises in particular electrical lines 24 and an ignition head 26 in which a pyrotechnic propellant charge is accommodated.

[0037] The blocking part 16 is held in a base 28.

[0038] More precisely, the blocking part 16 is overmolded at one end in the area of ​​the pyrotechnic device 22 with the plastic forming the base 28.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, which is not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity, the base 28 is plugged onto the blocking part 16.

[0040] The base 28 is guided on an inner wall 30 of the holder 14.

[0041] Specifically, the base 28 is guided in the holder 14 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0042] For this purpose, a projection 32 is formed on the base 28, and the holder 14 has a corresponding slot 34 on its inner wall 30, in which the projection 32 is guided. Instead of a slot 34, the holder 14 can also have a groove.

[0043] The pyrotechnic device 22, more precisely the electrical lines 24, are also accommodated in sections in the base 28, with the lines 24 extending through the base 28.

[0044] The electrical lines 24 are formed, for example, by pins.

[0045] In addition, a receptacle 36 for an electrical connection for electrically contacting the lines 24 is formed in the base 28.

[0046] The holding device 10 also comprises a retaining means 38 which is firmly connected to the blocking part 16.

[0047] Specifically, the retaining means 38 is integrally formed in the base 28.

[0048] Furthermore, the holding device 10 comprises a retaining geometry 40 which is integrally formed in the holder 14.

[0049] The retaining means 38 and the retaining geometry 40 together form a retaining mechanism.

[0050] Figure 3 illustrates the holding device 10 in the area of ​​the retaining means 38 and the retaining geometry 40 in a detailed view.

[0051] The retaining means 38 protrudes laterally from the base 28.

[0052] More precisely, the retaining means 38 is a tab that protrudes diagonally outwards from the base 28. This is particularly good in Figure 4 in which the blocking part 16 with the base 28 is shown separately.

[0053] The tab is designed to be flexible.

[0054] In order to enable movement of the blocking part 16 from the blocking position into the release position, a recess 42 is formed on the inner wall 30 of the holder 14, which recess extends in the direction of movement of the blocking part 16.

[0055] The retaining means 38 projects at least a little way into the recess 42.

[0056] The retaining geometry 40 is realized by a recess 44 which is axially connected to the depression 42.

[0057] The recess 44 overlaps with the depression 42 in such a way that an opening 48 is formed on an end face 46 of the depression 42.

[0058] Starting from the opening 48, the retaining geometry 40, in particular the recess 44, extends to an outer side 50 of the holder 14.

[0059] The recess 44 does not extend to the inner side 50.

[0060] When the holding device 10 is triggered, the blocking part 16 is moved out of its blocking position due to the pressure generated by the pyrotechnic device 22.

[0061] Initially, the blocking part 16 can move unhindered as long as the retaining means 38 moves in the recess 42.

[0062] When the retaining means 38 hits the retaining geometry 40, the movement of the blocking part 16 is stopped.

[0063] In the release position of the blocking part 16, the retaining means 38 interacts with the retaining geometry 40, as shown in Figure 2 is illustrated to block further movement of the blocking part 16 and thus to hold the blocking part 16 in its release position in the holder 14.

[0064] Specifically, the retaining means 38 moves into the recess 44 of the retaining geometry 40 and hooks therein, in such a way that the retaining means 38 extends through the recess 44 in the release position of the blocking part 16.

Claims

1. A triggerable holding device (10) for a tensioning means (12) of an airbag, comprising a holder (14), a locking member (16) that is movably supported in the holder (14) and that is shiftable between a locking position in which it keeps the tensioning means (12) blocked and a release position in which the tensioning means (12) is released, a pyrotechnical device (22) that is coupled to the locking member (16) so that, when the pyrotechnical device (22) is activated, it is shifted from the locking position to the release position, characterized by a restraining device (38) that is tightly connected to the locking member (16) and that interacts, in the release position of the locking member (16), with a restraining geometry (40) in the holder (14) to hold the locking member (16) in its release position in the holder (14), wherein the restraining geometry (40) is a cutout (44) which extends to an outer face of the holder (14), wherein the restraining device (38) is received in a release position of the locking member (16) in the cutout (44).

2. The holding device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the restraining device is formed on a base in which the locking member is held, the restraining device projecting laterally from the base.

3. The holding device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the base (28) is a plastic member and the plastic forming the base (28) is injection-molded around the locking member (16) in the area of the pyrotechnical device (22), or in that the locking member (16) is inserted in the base (28).

4. The holding device (10) according to any one of the claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the restraining device (38) is a tab that projects outwardly inclined on the base (28).

5. The holding device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the tab is flexible.

6. The holding device (10) according to any one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the base (28) is guided on an inner wall (30) of the holder (14) and the inner wall (30) has a recess (42) which extends in the direction of movement of the locking member (16) and into which the restraining device (38) protrudes at least a little.

7. The holding device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the restraining device (38) in a release position of the locking member (16) extends through the cutout (44).

8. The holding device (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the cutout (44) is axially connected to the recess (42).

9. The holding device (10) according to any one of the claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the base (28) is guided to be rotationally fixed in the holder (14).

10. The holding device (10) according to any one of the claims 2 to 9, characterized in that a projection (32) is formed integrally with the base and the holder (14) includes, on its inner wall (30), a groove or a slit (34) in which the projection (32) is guided.

11. The holding device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder (14) includes a slit (20) for receiving the tensioning means (12).