AIRBAG DEVICE FOR ATTACHMENT TO A BACK SECTION OF A SLIDING SEAT SYSTEM OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND SEAT SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a seat device with a backrest for a motor vehicle, with an airbag device arranged on the backrest of the seat device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Airbag systems are already known from the prior art, designed, for example, for the driver or front passenger of a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the motor vehicle may also have a rear compartment, in which occupants can also be protected by rear airbags. These airbags can be, for example, tubular airbags (RSBs) installed in the backrest of the front seat. In a frontal collision, this airbag system reduces the forces acting on a rear passenger in the outer rear seats. The distance between the airbag system and the rear passenger is variable because the front seat can be moved lengthwise. The effective area of ​​the rear airbag is always the same with respect to the seat backrest. When the front seat is moved, the effective area of ​​the airbag system also shifts.Therefore, if the front seat is in the forwardmost position, it is possible that the occupant, depending on their weight and body dimensions, will not experience any interaction with the airbag system.

[0003] DE 10 2008 037810 A1 describes how the protective effect of airbags should be improved, particularly in angled impacts or off-center impacts. For this purpose, a vehicle occupant safety system or restraint system is proposed, comprising an airbag that, when inflated or deployed, has a predetermined distribution of support force, and at least one energy-absorbing element attached to the airbag to inflate it or to locally increase its support force. The energy-absorbing element(s) are arranged such that at least one energy-absorbing element can conform to an occupant and, at least within limits, follow their movements, thus providing occupant protection, and / or that the airbag acts as a funnel in relation to the occupant being supported.This funnel function guides the occupant towards the center of the airbag upon impact and, if necessary, also protects them laterally through the side walls.

[0004] DE 10 2007 052 ​​246 A1 relates to an airbag, in particular for a motor vehicle, with a support structure that can be moved from a storage position to a restraint position, with an envelope by means of which a retention volume of the airbag formed by the support structure in its restraint position is enclosed, and with at least one connecting element extending within the retention volume by means of which hollow bodies of the support structure and / or surface areas of the envelope are connected to one another. EP 3 470 273 A1 discloses a seat device according to the preamble of claim 1. US 2019 / 111878A1 discloses a seat device with a tubular structure bag device arranged on the back part of the seat device.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to create a seating device by means of which improved protection of an occupant, in particular in a rear area of ​​the motor vehicle, can be achieved.

[0006] This problem is solved by a seating device according to independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] One aspect of the invention relates to an airbag device for arrangement on a backrest of a movable seat device of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one first airbag which is deployed into a catch position by an airbag deployment device depending on a control signal, wherein the airbag in the catch position is designed to catch a body part of an occupant of the motor vehicle, wherein the occupant is facing the backrest.

[0008] The airbag device is designed to have a second airbag, which is deployed at least in the catch position between the backrest and the first airbag.

[0009] In particular, this design ensures that even with different adjustment positions of the sliding seat mechanism, the rear occupant is reliably protected in the event of a collision. Specifically, the first airbag is positioned on the backrest, facing the occupant, who is located in the rear of the vehicle. In a frontal impact, a body part, such as the occupant's head, moves towards the backrest, where it can be restrained by at least the first and / or second airbag. The second airbag thus overcomes the sliding length of the vehicle. This ensures that even with the seat in its most forward position relative to the rear passenger area, the occupant is still reliably restrained by the airbag system.

[0010] The second airbag can be designed as a conventional airbag system, which inflates between the seat back and the first airbag. This shifts the already inflated first airbag, including its effective area, towards the occupant, reducing the impact force. If the distance between the occupant and the front seat is large, the first airbag can deploy fully, and the second airbag can then shift it towards the occupant. If the distance between the occupant and the front seat is very small, the second airbag may not deploy completely, but the first airbag will always inflate. This combination is always capable of reducing the impact force on the occupant and, if necessary, preventing head contact with the seat.

[0011] The first gas bag is designed as a tubular airbag. This tubular airbag consists of an actively inflated tube structure and a valve film that encloses the airbag shell and uses ambient air to inflate the airbag to a conventional volume. Due to these properties, it only partially inflates upon contact with obstacles. This means that if a tube encounters an obstacle during inflation, it deflects, preventing the airbag from fully inflating and resulting in a smaller volume. However, the second gas bag prevents the tubular airbag from fully inflating, ensuring reliable containment even if it fails to fully inflate.In particular, the tubular airbag structure creates a support structure in the deployment position, which is surrounded by an outer casing that can be filled with either ambient air or a pressurized gas. In other words, the deployment of the airbag is achieved by the support structure, which is enlarged by means of a suitable gas or mechanically. The casing and the mechanical components are connected to each other to form a framework, truss, or similar structure. If, for example, a passenger in a car impacts the airbag during an accident, the aim is to achieve the best possible restraint effect.Particularly when the support structure or its associated casing is surrounded by ambient air, the restraint effect is optimized, for example, by providing at least one connecting element extending within the restraint volume, which is linked to the support structure and / or the casing. This is especially important because, at the moment of impact, the restraint volume and its internal pressure are generally lower than in conventional airbags. The internal pressure for restraint is primarily generated by the passenger themselves during deployment. Therefore, it is crucial that this pressure build-up for restraint occurs as efficiently as possible.This is achieved in particular through the connecting element, which reliably prevents, for example, uncontrolled movement of the support structure or the retention volume, so that the complete retention function can be guaranteed.

[0012] It is further advantageous if the deployment device is designed to deploy both the first and second gas bags. In particular, this provides a single deployment device capable of filling both gas bags. This can be achieved, for example, via a gas generator or appropriate pyrotechnics. Thus, the deployment of both gas bags can be realized with a reduced number of components.

[0013] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the airbag system includes an additional deployment device, and this additional deployment device is designed to deploy the second airbag. In particular, each airbag can thus have its own deployment device, which is, for example, a gas generator or produced by prism technology. This makes it possible, for instance, to control the first and second airbags independently. For example, they can be triggered sequentially or one after the other. Depending on the seating position of the adjustable seats and the impact force, the first airbag, the second airbag, or both together can be deployed accordingly, thereby providing increased safety depending on the situation.Furthermore, even if one of the deployment devices fails, at least the other gasbag can be deployed.

[0014] The airbag system is designed to deploy the first and second airbags independently. Specifically, the first airbag can be deployed first, followed by the second. This ensures, for example, that at least the first airbag is fully inflated, thus providing occupant protection. The deployment of the second airbag then provides further enhanced protection. In particular, the deployment of the first and second airbags can be adjusted to suit the specific situation.

[0015] According to the invention, the airbag device has a third airbag which, when deployed, is positioned in front of the first airbag and thus faces the occupant. Specifically, viewed from a main direction of travel in the vehicle, the airbag is arranged as follows: first the backrest, then the second airbag, then the first airbag, and then the third airbag, with the occupant again facing the third airbag. In particular, the third airbag is deployed separately from the first. If the distance between the occupant and the front seat is very large, both airbags can deploy. If the distance between the occupant and the front seat is very small, only the first airbag deploys; the second airbag cannot deploy freely due to early contact with the occupant. Thus, in different positions of the seat, reliable occupant restraint in the event of an impact can be achieved.

[0016] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the third gas bag is designed as a tubular structure. In particular, this allows for the creation of a suitable containment structure for the third gas bag, ensuring reliable and safe containment of the occupant, especially in a frontal impact.

[0017] In another advantageous embodiment, the third gas bag is pneumatically coupled to the first gas bag. For example, the first and third gas bags can be pneumatically coupled to each other via a suitable valve. This makes it possible to inflate the third gas bag using a single deployment device for the first gas bag.

[0018] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawing. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the single figure alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0019] The single figure shows a schematic side view into the interior of an embodiment of a motor vehicle with an embodiment of a seat device and an embodiment of an airbag device.

[0020] In the figure, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0021] The figure shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle 10 with an embodiment of a seat 12. The seat 12 has at least one airbag device 14 and a backrest 16. For example, the seat 12 can be designed for a driver of the motor vehicle 10 or for a passenger of the motor vehicle 10. The seat 12 is, in particular, displaceably mounted, especially along a longitudinal displacement direction 18, so that, for example, the driver of the motor vehicle 10 can assume a corresponding position along the longitudinal displacement direction 18.The seat device 12 has at least the airbag device 14, wherein the airbag device 14 is designed for an occupant 20, wherein the occupant 20 is located behind the seat device 12 when viewed in this longitudinal displacement direction 18 and may, for example, be located in a rear area of ​​the motor vehicle 1.

[0022] The airbag device 14 comprises at least one first airbag 22, which is deployed into a fall arrest position 28 by a deployment device 24 of the airbag device 14 in response to a control signal, for example, from an electronic computing unit 26 of the airbag device 14. The first airbag 22 is designed to catch a body part 30, in this case, the head of the occupant 20, with the occupant 20 facing the back section 16. The airbag device 14 comprises at least one second airbag 32, which is deployed, at least in the fall arrest position 28, between the back section 16 and the first airbag 22. The first airbag 22 is specifically designed as a so-called tubular structure bag.

[0023] The deployment device 24 can be configured, in particular, to deploy the first gas bag 22 and the second gas bag 32. Alternatively, the airbag device 14 can also have a second deployment device, which is configured to deploy the second gas bag 32 separately.

[0024] It is provided that the airbag device 14 is designed to deploy the first gas bag 22 and the second gas bag 32 independently of each other.

[0025] The figure further shows that the airbag device 14 also has a third gas bag 34, which is preferably also designed as a tubular structure bag, wherein the third gas bag 34 is deployed in front of the first gas bag 22 in the deployed state and is thus facing the occupant 20. The third gas bag 34 can be pneumatically coupled to the first gas bag 22.

[0026] In particular, an airbag device 14 is thus provided for the rear area of ​​the motor vehicle 10, which is arranged in particular on the front seat, especially on the backrest 16, and which, due to its sliding capability along the longitudinal displacement direction 18, nevertheless offers a safe restraint base for the occupant 20, even if there are different distances to the backrest 16. In particular, it is proposed that the second airbag 32 be arranged between the backrest 16 and the first airbag 22, which takes over the distance adjustment.

[0027] Additionally, a third gas bag 34 can be provided, which is also designed as a structural airbag and has corresponding tubes and containment elements in its wider area, and can also fill a further free space. In particular, it can be provided that the first gas bag 22 and the third gas bag 34, both preferably designed as tubular structural bags, are pneumatically coupled and separated from each other, for example, only by valves or throttles, so that simultaneous inflation can be achieved. The third gas bag 34 can, however, be inflated by the first gas bag 22 with a time delay.

[0028] In particular, it can be provided that at least the first gas bag 22 and the second gas bag 32 can be filled together and, for example, also have the deployment device 24, which is designed, for example, as a gas generator or as a pryotechnic device. Alternatively, each of the gas bags 22, 32, 34 can have its own deployment device 24. Furthermore, a single-stage control of the respective deployment devices 24 is also possible, so that the first gas bag 22 and the second gas bag 32 can, for example, deploy simultaneously or in the same way. Alternatively, a multi-stage version is also possible, in which, for example, the first gas bag 22 and the second gas bag 32 can subsequently be filled via valves by increasing the volume or pressure.In particular, it can be provided that, for example, the first gas bag 22 inflates first, and then the second gas bag 32 inflates in several stages. With two or more deployment devices 24, these can also be controlled together, whereby "together" is understood to mean simultaneously, or in two or more stages, so that, for example, the first gas bag 22 always inflates, but the second gas bag 32 only inflates depending on other parameters, and the deployment time or the start of deployment can also depend on these parameters. Here, the seat setting of the seat device 12 and, in particular, the position of the backrest 16 in the direction of travel, especially whether it has moved longitudinally, can also be used as an influencing factor for activating the second gas bag 32, if available.As already described, activation can also take place without additional information or parameters, so that the second gas bag 32 is controlled "unsensed" only depending on the activation of the first gas bag 22. Reference symbol list

[0029] 10 Motor vehicle 12 Seating device 14 Airbag device 16 Backrest 18 Longitudinal displacement direction 20 Occupant 22 First airbag 24 Deployment device 26 Electronic calculating device 28 Catch position 30 Head 32 Second airbag 34 Third airbag

Claims

1. Seat apparatus (12), having a backrest (16), for a motor vehicle (10), which seat apparatus comprises an airbag apparatus (14) which is arranged on the backrest (16) of the seat apparatus (12) and has at least a first gas bag (22) which is deployed into a restraint position (28) by means of a deployment device (24) of the airbag apparatus (14) depending on an actuation signal, wherein the first gas bag (22), is designed, in the restraint position (28), to restrain a body part (30) of a passenger (20) of the motor vehicle (10), wherein the passenger (20) is facing the backrest (16) and the passenger (20) is located behind the seat apparatus (12) when viewed in a longitudinal movement direction (18) of the seat apparatus (12), wherein the airbag apparatus (14) has a second gas bag (32) which, at least in the restraint position (28), is deployed between the backrest (16) and the first gas bag (22), and the first gas bag (22) is a tubular structure bag and the tubular structure gas bag consists of an actively filled tubular structure and a valve film, and the airbag apparatus (14) has a third gas bag (34) which, in the deployed state, is deployed in front of the first gas bag (22) and therefore faces the passenger (20), characterized in that the airbag apparatus (14) is designed to deploy the first gas bag (22) and the second gas bag (32) independently of one another.

2. Seat apparatus (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deployment device (24) is designed to deploy the first gas bag (22) and the second gas bag (32).

3. Seat apparatus (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the airbag apparatus (14) has at least a further deployment device and the further deployment device is designed to deploy the second gas bag (32).

4. Seat apparatus (12) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third gas bag (34) is designed as a tubular structure bag.

5. Seat apparatus (12) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third gas bag (34) is pneumatically coupled to the first gas bag (22).