Vehicle equipped with a far-side curtain-type safety airbag

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) comprising a center console (20) arranged between two seats (30), and a far-side curtain-type airbag (100) mounted in the roof lining (10); said airbag comprising an inflatable bag (110) designed, in the event of a side collision, to deploy vertically downwards between said seats and to said console, and two gas generators (120, 130) fixedly mounted on said roof lining and offset longitudinally from each other; said bag comprising a main chamber (111) designed to extend downwards from an area located away from said roof lining, and two upper front (112) and rear (113) arm-shaped chambers, each upper chamber being designed to extend between the outlet of a corresponding gas generator and said main chamber. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle equipped with a curtain-type airbag for the far side Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to the field of protecting the occupants of motor vehicles seated on the front side seats of a motor vehicle in the event of a side collision. It relates in particular to a curtain-type airbag for the far side, intended to protect an occupant seated on the front seat located on the side opposite said side collision. Prior art

[0002] Generally speaking, current motor vehicles include safety airbags, commonly referred to as airbags. Such a safety airbag conventionally comprises an inflatable bag as well as a gas generator to ensure the almost instantaneous deployment and inflation of said bag in the event of a collision, so as to protect one or more occupants of the vehicle.

[0003] In order to ensure the safety of the occupants, motor vehicles are equipped with several types of airbags. There are frontal airbags intended to protect the driver and the front passenger in the event of a frontal collision. These frontal cushions are generally fixed inside the steering wheel and behind the part of the dashboard facing the front passenger.

[0004] Such frontal airbags can also, in a known manner, be integrated into the padding of the front seats so as to protect the passengers seated in the rear of the vehicle in the event of a frontal collision.

[0005] However, these front airbags do not protect the occupants of a vehicle in the event of a side collision.

[0006] Certain vehicles are therefore also equipped with side airbags, in particular curtain airbags, intended to protect passengers in the event of a side collision with another vehicle or an obstacle such as a post.

[0007] Generally installed along the side rails of the vehicle body structure above the front and rear side windows on each side of the vehicle, the curtain-type side airbags are configured to deploy in front of the window of a door of the vehicle so as to protect the heads of the passengers in the front and rear side seats located on the side of this airbag.

[0008] Furthermore, in particular from document US 20230097595 A1, curtain-type airbags for the far side (commonly referred to by the English term “far-side”) are known, mounted in the roof of the vehicle and comprising an air bag designed, in the event of a side collision, to deploy downwards along a vertical longitudinal average plane between the two front seats of the vehicle up to the central console of this vehicle, as well as at least one gas generator capable of ensuring the inflation and deployment of said bag.

[0009] Such a far side curtain airbag thus forms a protective curtain between the driver and the front passenger to prevent head-to-head impacts.

[0010] Unfortunately, it may happen that the upper portion of the airbag in the deployed configuration twists around a substantially vertical axis when the head of the passenger located on the side furthest from the collision impacts it at its rear end (case where his seat is moved back as far as possible) or at its front end (case where his seat is moved forward as far as possible).

[0011] The head restraint of this passenger is then no longer effectively ensured by the airbag, so that there remains a risk that it will hit the head of the other front passenger located on the side of the collision. Statement of the invention

[0012] The present invention aims to improve the situation.

[0013] To this end, it proposes a motor vehicle comprising a central console arranged between two seats, as well as a curtain-type airbag on the far side mounted in the roof lining; said cushion comprising an inflatable bag designed, in the event of a side collision, to deploy downwards along a vertical longitudinal mean plane between said seats and up to said central console, as well as at least one gas generator capable of ensuring the inflation and deployment of said bag; characterized in that said cushion comprises two said gas generators fixedly mounted on said roof panel while being longitudinally offset from each other, said inflatable bag comprising a main pocket provided to extend, in the deployed configuration of said bag, downwards from an area located away from said roof panel, said bag also comprising two upper front and rear arm-shaped pockets, each fluidly connected to said main pocket, each said upper pocket being provided to extend in said deployed configuration between the outlet of a corresponding said gas generator to which it is fluidly connected and said main pocket.

[0014] The presence of these upper arm-shaped pockets, each fluidically connected to a corresponding gas generator, makes it possible to ensure perfect maintenance of the upper portion of the main pocket of the inflatable bag in a vertical longitudinal mid-plane and to avoid any risk of twisting of this upper portion of the main pocket around a substantially vertical axis when the head of the passenger located on the side furthest from the side collision impacts it at its rear end (case where his seat is moved back as far as possible) or at its front end (case where his seat is moved forward as far as possible).

[0015] The invention thus makes it possible to prevent the head of the passenger located on the side opposite the side impact from directly impacting the passenger located on the side of the side collision.

[0016] According to preferred characteristics of said vehicle according to the invention: - said airbag also comprises a lower rear leg-shaped pocket, fluidly connected to said main pocket, and designed to extend, in said deployed configuration, substantially vertically downwards from the lower rear end of this main pocket, so as to come to rest against the rear face of said central console; - said airbag also comprises a lower front leg-shaped pocket, fluidly connected to said main pocket, and designed to extend, in said deployed configuration, substantially longitudinally forward from the lower front end of this main pocket, so as to come to rest against the upper face of said central console; - said inflatable bag also comprises at least one pair of two tab-shaped side pockets, fluidly connected to said lower front pocket, and designed to each extend, in said deployed configuration, substantially vertically downwards from a respective lateral side of this lower front pocket, so as to each rest against a corresponding lateral face of said central console; - said inflatable bag comprises two said pairs of side pockets spaced longitudinally from each other; - said gas generators are arranged in an aligned manner in a longitudinal direction, each being fixed against the lower face of a corresponding roof crossmember; - said gas generators are oriented transversely, each being fixed against the front face of a corresponding roof crossmember; - the upper end of each said upper pocket is fixed to a corresponding roof crosspiece; - the fluid connection between the different pockets of said inflatable bag is ensured by valve-type vents, calibrated to open under a predetermined pressure; and / or - said inflatable bag is, in its undeployed configuration, in the folded or rolled-up state in the form of a substantially tubular rod extending longitudinally finally in the central part of the vehicle in line with said central console. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] represents a partial view of the roof structure of a motor vehicle equipped with a curtain-type airbag for the far side and in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.2] is a partial perspective sectional view of the motor vehicle of [Fig.l], taken along a vertical longitudinal sectional plane, after deployment of the far side curtain airbag; - [Fig.3] represents an enlarged perspective view illustrating the cooperation between the airbag in its deployed configuration and the central console; and - [Fig.4] is a partial view of the roof structure of a motor vehicle according to a second embodiment of the invention. Description of the embodiments

[0018] [Fig.l] represents a partial view of the roof structure of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention equipped with a curtain-type airbag for the far side.

[0019] We define with respect to this vehicle 1 a direct orthogonal reference frame XYZ comprising three axes perpendicular two by two, namely: - a longitudinal axis X, parallel to the ground and coincident with the general direction of movement of the vehicle; - a transverse axis Y, also parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the X axis; and - a vertical axis Z, perpendicular to the ground as well as to the horizontal XY plane.

[0020] In the remainder of the description and with reference to the reference defined above, the terms “longitudinal” or “longitudinally” will refer to a direction parallel to the X axis, the terms “transverse” or “transversely” will refer to a direction parallel to the Y axis, and the terms “vertical” or “vertically” will refer to a direction parallel to the Z axis.

[0021] On the other hand and by convention, the terms “lower”, “upper”, “front” and “rear” will be understood in relation to the general orientation of the vehicle 1. The terms “lower” and “low” will indicate a greater proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than the terms “upper” or “high”. The term “front” will indicate a positioning oriented towards the front of the vehicle 1 in the horizontal direction and the term “rear” will indicate a positioning oriented towards the rear of this vehicle 1 in the same horizontal direction.

[0022] Finally, the use of the term "substantially" will indicate that a deviation of 10 to 20° is permitted with respect to a predetermined nominal orientation, while remaining included within the scope of the invention. For example, "substantially vertical" will indicate that a deviation of the order of 10° to 20° with respect to a strictly vertical orientation is permitted within the scope of the invention.

[0023] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the airbag 100 is mounted in the roof headliner 10 of the vehicle 1 between the exterior roof panel 11 made of sheet metal and the headliner 12.

[0024] This airbag 100 conventionally comprises an airbag 110 which, in its non-deployed configuration, is in the folded or rolled-up state in the form of a substantially tubular rod extending longitudinally in the central part of the vehicle 1 directly above the central console 20 arranged between the two front seats 30 (this central console 20 and the driver's seat 30 being shown in [Fig. 2]).

[0025] This inflatable bag 110 is conventionally formed by two sheets of fabric superimposed and joined at their peripheral edges by a continuous joining line produced by sewing or laser welding.

[0026] Alternatively, the bag 110 could be made from a single sheet of fabric folded in two lengthwise and joined on three sides of its periphery by means of a continuous joining line.

[0027] The airbag 100 also comprises two gas generators 120, front and rear 130, fixedly mounted on the roof 10 of the vehicle 1 while being longitudinally offset from one another, these generators 120, 130 each comprising a rigid metal container of generally cylindrical shape in which there are reagents allowing the generation of gas and an electrically controlled trigger.

[0028] The inflatable bag 110 in the folded or rolled-up state and the gas generators 120, 130 are advantageously housed in an envelope not visible in the figures and formed for example by a fabric sheath or a housing.

[0029] Each gas generator 120, 130 comprises at one of its ends, an electrical connector emerging from this casing and allowing its trigger to be electrically connected to the vehicle's electrical network in order to ensure control of the safety airbag 100.

[0030] Still with reference to this [Fig.l], these two gas generators 120, 130 are preferably arranged in an aligned manner in a longitudinal direction, laterally adjoining the inflatable bag 110.

[0031] Each generator 120, 130 is fixed, via a respective non-visible mounting bracket, against the underside of a corresponding roof crossmember 13, 14 (i.e., the front roof cross member 13 for the gas generator 120 and the central roof cross member 14 for the gas generator 130).

[0032] When the airbag 100 is triggered by the emission of an electrical signal generated during a lateral collision of the vehicle with another vehicle or an obstacle such as for example a post, the gas generators 120, 130 simultaneously send pressurized gas inside the airbag 110 which inflates by deploying downwards along a vertical longitudinal average plane between the two front seats 30 and up to the central console 20 (see [Fig.2]).

[0033] The airbag 100 is advantageously configured so that its airbag 110 deploys along a mean plane coincident with the median vertical longitudinal plane of the vehicle 1. As a variant and according to certain criteria relating to the architecture of the vehicle and the layout of the front seats, the airbag 111 can deploy along a mean plane laterally offset from this median vertical longitudinal plane of the vehicle 1.

[0034] With reference to [Fig. 2], the air bag 110 comprises a main pocket 111 designed to extend, in the deployed configuration of this bag 110, downwards from an area located away from the roof lining 10 (this area being advantageously located between the roof lining 12 and the top of the head restraints of the front seats 30) to an area located near the upper rear corner of the central console 20.

[0035] The inflatable bag 110 also comprises: - an upper front pocket 112 in the form of an arm, fluidly connected to the main pocket 111, and designed to extend, in the deployed configuration of this bag 110, between the outlet of the front gas generator 120 to which it is also fluidly connected and the upper front end of this main pocket 111; and - an upper rear pocket 113 in the form of an arm, fluidly connected to the main pocket 111, and designed to extend, in said deployed configuration, between the outlet of the rear gas generator 130 to which it is also fluidly connected and the upper rear end of this main pocket 111.

[0036] The upper end of each upper pocket 112, 113 is advantageously fixed to a corresponding roof crosspiece 13, 14 by means of attachment means not visible in the figures.

[0037] The presence of these upper arm-shaped pockets 112, 113, each fluidically connected to a corresponding gas generator 120, 130, makes it possible to ensure perfect maintenance of the upper portion of the main pocket 111 of the airbag 110 in a vertical longitudinal mid-plane and to avoid any risk of twisting of this upper portion of the main pocket 111 around a substantially vertical axis when the head of the passenger located on the side furthest from the lateral collision impacts it at its rear end (case where his seat is moved back as far as possible) or at its front end (case where its seat is moved forward as far as possible).

[0038] With reference to figures 2 and 3, this inflatable bag 110 further comprises: - a lower rear pocket 114 in the form of a leg, fluidly connected to the main pocket 111, and designed to extend, in said deployed configuration, substantially vertically downwards from the lower rear end of this main pocket 111, so as to come to rest against the rear face of the central console 20; and - a lower front pocket 115 in the form of a leg, fluidly connected to the main pocket 111, and designed to extend, in said deployed configuration, substantially longitudinally towards the front from the lower front end of this main pocket 111, so as to come to rest against the upper face of the central console 20.

[0039] The lower rear leg-shaped pocket 114 constitutes a stop preventing any risk of longitudinal advancement of the lower portion of the main pocket 111 of the airbag 110 in the event of torsional deformation of the seat located on the side of the lateral collision which could, when it occupies its fully retracted position, impact the rear end of this lower portion of the main pocket 111.

[0040] In the same way, the presence of the lower front leg-shaped pocket 115 makes it possible to limit, thanks to the friction forces exerted between it and the upper face of the central console 20, the risks of longitudinal recoil of the lower portion of the main pocket 111 of the airbag 110 in the event of torsional deformation of the seat located on the side of the lateral collision which could, when it occupies its maximum forward position, impact the front end of this lower portion of the main pocket 111.

[0041] Still with reference to figures 2 and 3, this inflatable bag 110 finally comprises at least one pair 116 of two lateral pockets 116A, 116B in the form of a tab, fluidly connected to the lower front pocket 115, and designed to each extend, in said deployed configuration, substantially vertically downwards from a respective lateral side of this lower front pocket 115, so as to each rest against a corresponding lateral face of the central console 20.

[0042] Preferably and as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, this inflatable bag 110 comprises two pairs 116 of side pockets 116A, 116B, spaced longitudinally from one another.

[0043] These tab-shaped side pockets 116A, 116B thus constitute stops cooperating with this central console 20 so as to ensure perfect maintenance of the lower portion of the main pocket 111 of the airbag 110 in a vertical longitudinal mid-plane and to avoid any risk of transverse displacement of this lower portion of the main pocket 111 when the passenger's pelvis is located on the most away from the side collision comes to impact it.

[0044] In order to manage the timing and speed of inflation of the different pockets 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116A, 116B that the inflatable bag 110 comprises, the fluid connection between these different pockets can advantageously be ensured by valve-type vents, calibrated to open under a predetermined pressure.

[0045] According to embodiment variants not shown, the inflatable bag may be devoid of the tab-shaped side pockets and / or at least one of the two lower leg-shaped pockets.

[0046] We will now briefly describe, with the support of [Fig. 4], a motor vehicle 1' in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

[0047] In the following and in this [Fig.4], the same references have been kept for the elements identical to the first embodiment and a prime has been added for the similar elements.

[0048] The vehicle 1' is similar to the vehicle 1 described previously, except that the gas generators 120, 130 are oriented transversely, each being fixed against the front face of a corresponding roof crossmember 13, 14. Such a configuration thus makes it possible to press the roof lining 12' directly against the lower face of the roof crossmembers 13, 14, so as to optimize the vertical habitability of the vehicle. It is therefore particularly suitable for vehicles with a low silhouette (city cars, saloon cars or coupe cars).

[0049] Numerous variants are conceivable and it is recalled in this regard that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but also encompasses all the variants of execution within the reach of those skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims

1. A motor vehicle (1; 1') comprising a central console (20) arranged between two seats (30), and a far-side curtain airbag (100) mounted in the roof lining (10); said airbag (100) comprising an airbag (110) provided, in the event of a side collision, to deploy vertically downwards between said seats (30) and up to said central console (20), and at least one gas generator (120, 130) capable of inflating and deploying said airbag (110);characterized in that said cushion (100) comprises two said gas generators (120, 130) fixedly mounted on said roof panel (10) while being longitudinally offset from each other, said inflatable bag (110) comprising a main pocket (111) intended to extend, in the deployed configuration of said bag (110), downwards from an area located away from said roof panel (10), said bag (110) also comprising two upper front (112) and rear (113) arm-shaped pockets, each fluidly connected to said main pocket (111), each said upper pocket (112, 113) being intended to extend in said deployed configuration between the outlet of a corresponding said gas generator (120, 130) to which it is fluidly connected and said main pocket (111).;

2. Motor vehicle (1; 1') according to claim 1, characterized in that said inflatable bag (110) also comprises a lower rear leg-shaped pocket (114), fluidly connected to said main pocket (111), and designed to extend, in said deployed configuration, substantially vertically downwards from the lower rear end of this main pocket (111), so as to come to rest against the rear face of said central console (20).

3. Motor vehicle (1; 1') according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said inflatable bag (110) also comprises a lower front leg-shaped pocket (115), fluidly connected to said main pocket (111), and designed to extend, in said deployed configuration, substantially longitudinally towards the front from the lower front end of this main pocket (111), so as to come to rest against the upper face of said central console (20).

4. Motor vehicle (1; 1') according to claim 3, characterized in that that said inflatable bag (1110) also comprises at least one pair (116) of two tab-shaped side pockets (116A, 116B), fluidly connected to said lower front pocket (115), and provided to each extend, in said deployed configuration, substantially vertically downwards from a respective lateral side of this lower front pocket (115), so as to each rest against a corresponding lateral face of said central console (20).

5. Motor vehicle (1; 1') according to claim 4, characterized in that said inflatable bag (110) comprises two said pairs (116) of side pockets (116A, 116B) spaced longitudinally from each other.

6. Motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said gas generators (120, 130) are arranged in an aligned manner in a longitudinal direction, each being fixed against the lower face of a corresponding roof crossmember (13, 14).

7. Motor vehicle (1') according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said gas generators (120, 130) are oriented transversely while each being fixed against the front face of a corresponding roof crossmember (13, 14).

8. Motor vehicle (1; 1') according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the upper end of each said upper pocket (112, 113) is fixed to a corresponding roof crossmember (13, 14).

9. Motor vehicle (1; 1') according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the fluid connection between the different pockets (111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116A, 116B) of said inflatable bag (110) is ensured by valve-type vents, calibrated to open under a predetermined pressure.

10. Motor vehicle (1; 1') according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said inflatable bag (110) is, in its non-deployed configuration, in the folded or rolled-up state in the form of a substantially tubular rod extending longitudinally in the central part of the vehicle (1; 1') directly above said central console (20).

Images