Driver safety module to protect a driver of a vehicle

Abstract

Driver safety module (10) comprising:- a safety bag (20), inflatable and comprising: a front portion (21), and at least one lateral inflatable portion (22), adjacent to the front portion (21), - a gas generator (30) arranged to inflate the safety bag (20), characterized in that, before inflation of the safety bag (20), said at least one lateral inflatable portion (22) extends between the front portion (21) in the rest position and a part of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, such as a dashboard (120) of the vehicle, located on one side of the vehicle steering wheel (110) in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Driver safety module for protecting a driver of a vehicle Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to passive automotive safety and in particular, the invention relates to safety systems for protecting a driver of a motor vehicle. In more detail, the invention relates to a driver safety module for protecting a vehicle driver typically during a frontal impact of the vehicle with an obstacle. State of the art

[0002] It is known in the prior art of driver safety modules to provide a housing containing in particular a safety bag and a gas generator, to be installed on or in a vehicle steering wheel. However, provision may be made to house the housing in a part of the passenger compartment in front of the vehicle steering wheel, as disclosed in document US 2022 / 0185218 A1. On the other hand, this system may have disadvantages related to the passage of the safety bag over the vehicle steering wheel, because it is necessary to ensure that the safety bag actually passes over the vehicle steering wheel, without risking encountering or hitting the occupant.Furthermore, in the case where the vehicle is equipped with a retractable steering wheel (for example for a vehicle offering autonomous driving and retracting or retracting the steering wheel during autonomous driving), a safety airbag of the prior art cannot provide effective protection when the steering wheel is retracted (because the safety airbag can no longer rest on the steering wheel) or may be difficult to deploy in a stable manner because the airbag cannot rest on the steering wheel. Statement of the invention

[0003] An aim of the present invention is to address the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above and in particular, first of all, to propose a driver safety module which makes it possible to guarantee reliable, and / or reproducible, deployment, and / or without risk of interference with the driver of the vehicle regardless of the position of the steering wheel, and / or providing good protection even if the vehicle steering wheel is retracted.

[0004] For this purpose, a first aspect of the invention relates to a driver safety module for protecting a driver of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle steering wheel, the safety module comprising: - an inflatable safety cushion comprising: • a front portion, designed to deploy from a rest position wherein the vehicle steering wheel is arranged between the front portion and the driver of the vehicle, towards a protective position located between the vehicle steering wheel and the driver of the vehicle, and • at least one lateral inflatable portion, adjacent to the frontal portion in a transverse direction of the vehicle, - a gas generator arranged to inflate the safety cushion, characterized in that, before inflation of the safety cushion, said at least one lateral inflatable portion extends between the front portion in the rest position and a part of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, such as a dashboard of the vehicle, located on one side of the vehicle steering wheel in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0005] According to the above implementation, the safety cushion comprises at least one lateral inflatable portion which extends between the front portion in the rest position and a portion of a dashboard of the vehicle located on one side of the vehicle steering wheel in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Thus, the lateral inflatable portion is elongated and extends from a portion located in front of the steering wheel to a lateral portion of the steering wheel. Such a lateral inflatable portion can therefore bear on the lateral portion of the passenger compartment (typically the portion of the dashboard located on one side of the steering wheel). In addition, the lateral inflatable portion can participate in the deployment of the front portion because it is joined to the latter and can participate in imposing a particular and reproducible deployment kinematic, whatever the position of the steering wheel.

[0006] In other words, the invention may relate to a driver safety module for protecting a vehicle driver equipped with a vehicle steering wheel, the safety module comprising: - an inflatable safety cushion comprising: • a front portion arranged to deploy from a rest position in which the vehicle steering wheel is arranged between the front portion and the vehicle driver, to a protection position located between the vehicle steering wheel and the vehicle driver, and • at least one lateral inflatable portion, adjacent to the front portion in a transverse direction of the vehicle, - a gas generator arranged to inflate the safety cushion, characterized in that: • after inflation of the safety cushion, said at least one lateral inflatable portion is arranged on one side of the vehicle steering wheel in the transverse direction of the vehicle and is arranged to bear on a part of a passenger compartment of the vehicle located in front of the vehicle steering wheel in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, such as for example the dashboard of the vehicle.

[0007] According to the above implementation, the safety airbag comprises at least one lateral inflatable portion arranged on one side of the vehicle steering wheel in the transverse direction of the vehicle and arranged to bear on a part of a passenger compartment of the vehicle located in front of the vehicle steering wheel (typically an element of the dashboard), which provides stable support for the inflatable safety airbag, in particular during deployment of the front portion and its passage above the steering wheel, whatever the position of the latter, protection and / or coupling with the occupant, and / or reliable and repeatable cushioning of the occupant.

[0008] In other words, the invention may relate to a driver safety module for protecting a vehicle driver from contact with a steering wheel of the vehicle at least during a frontal impact, comprising: - an airbag comprising: • a front portion, arranged to deploy from a rest position in which the vehicle steering wheel is arranged between the front portion and the vehicle driver, to a protective position located between the vehicle steering wheel and the vehicle driver, and • at least one lateral inflatable portion, adjacent to the frontal portion in a transverse direction of the vehicle, - a gas generator arranged to inflate the safety cushion, characterized in that said at least one lateral inflatable portion comprises a first end joined to the front portion and a second end attached to an attachment point of the vehicle, such as for example the dashboard of the vehicle or an element of the chassis of the vehicle.

[0009] According to the above implementation, the airbag comprises at least one side inflatable portion with a first end joined to the front portion and a second end attached to an attachment point of the vehicle, such as for example the dashboard of the vehicle or a member of the chassis of the vehicle, which provides a reliable and repeatable deployment trajectory of the front portion because the side inflatable portion is better maintained.

[0010] The security module may further comprise the following features, taken individually or in combination.

[0011] According to one embodiment, after inflation of the safety cushion, said at least one lateral inflatable portion is arranged on one side of the vehicle steering wheel in the transverse direction of the vehicle and closes a lateral space between the vehicle steering wheel and the dashboard of the vehicle. According to this implementation, the lateral inflatable portion covers the entire lateral space between the vehicle steering wheel and the dashboard, so that the lateral inflatable portion can support the frontal portion, when the vehicle steering wheel is retracted and the side inflatable portion can reliably guide the front portion over the steering wheel when the latter is in the driving position (i.e., allowing the vehicle to be steered).

[0012] According to one embodiment, after inflation of the safety cushion, said at least one lateral inflatable portion is arranged on one side of the vehicle steering wheel in the transverse direction of the vehicle and is arranged to bear on a part of a passenger compartment of the vehicle located in front of the vehicle steering wheel in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, such as for example the dashboard of the vehicle. According to this implementation, the lateral inflatable portion can support the front portion, even if the vehicle steering wheel is retracted.

[0013] According to one embodiment, said at least one lateral inflatable portion comprises a first end joined to the front portion and a second end attached to an attachment point of the vehicle, such as for example the dashboard of the vehicle or an element of the chassis of the vehicle. According to this implementation, the lateral inflatable portion, attached to a fixed point of the vehicle, can exert a restoring force on the front portion and impose on it a particular deployment kinematics. In particular, if the second end is attached to a fixed point of the vehicle located at an altitude lower than that of the front portion (along a Z or vertical axis), then the front portion will have an imposed downward movement to fold down and cover the vehicle steering wheel. In particular, the front portion will not be able to move excessively upwards, and / or will have a circular downward deployment trajectory, when viewed from the side.The radius of the circular path may be substantially equal to or similar to a length of the lateral inflatable portion before inflation.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the driver safety module comprises a strap arranged to attach the second end of said at least one lateral inflatable portion to the attachment point of the vehicle. A strap, a strap, a cord may be provided. Alternatively, an eyelet, and / or a portion of non-inflatable safety cushion may be provided to be attached directly to the fixed or attachment point of the vehicle.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the vehicle steering wheel has a steering wheel width in a transverse direction of the vehicle, and, before inflation of the safety cushion, the safety cushion has: - an elongated shape with a length greater than the steering wheel width, - preferably an elongated shape with a length greater than 120% of the steering wheel width, - very preferably an elongated shape with a length greater than 150% of the steering wheel width. Unlike airbags folded and contained in a generally square or rectangular shaped housing, the safety airbag according to the implementation in the work above has an elongated shape, like a sausage, before inflation.

[0016] According to one embodiment, before inflation, said at least one lateral inflatable portion has: - an elongated shape with a length greater than at least 50% of the steering wheel width, - preferably an elongated shape with a length greater than at least 70% of the steering wheel width, - very preferably an elongated shape with a length greater than at least 90% of the steering wheel width. Said at least one lateral inflatable portion has a significant length, which allows it to extend over a large length of the dashboard before inflation. Typically, said at least one lateral inflatable portion has: - an elongated shape with a length greater than 25 cm, - preferably an elongated shape with a length greater than 35 cm, - very preferably an elongated shape with a length greater than 40 cm. Thus, said at least one lateral inflatable portion can connect the junction point with the front portion located on the top of the dashboard at its lower end to the lower point (or attachment point) of the passenger compartment which can be located notably below the steering column or the center of the steering wheel hub (and of course arranged on one lateral side of the steering wheel).

[0017] According to one embodiment, the vehicle steering wheel is movable between a driving position, in which it can be grasped by the driver to drive or steer the vehicle in a manual driving mode, and a retracted or stowed position (in which, for example, the vehicle steering wheel is folded against or into the dashboard to leave space for the driver, in an autonomous driving mode), and the lateral inflatable portion is arranged to bear on the dashboard at least when the vehicle steering wheel is in the retracted or stowed position.

[0018] According to one embodiment, when the vehicle steering wheel is in the retracted or stowed position, the front portion in the protection position is arranged to leave a free space between the front portion and the vehicle steering wheel and / or the dashboard. In such a situation, the side inflatable portion(s) provide stability and rigidity to the front portion, which improves its effectiveness.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the driver safety module is free of external casing, in particular around said at least one lateral inflatable portion, and / or comprises a flexible envelope arranged at least partially around the safety cushion, and in particular around said at least one lateral inflatable portion, before inflation of the safety cushion and arranged to open when the safety cushion is inflated.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the driver safety module does not comprise any housing and / or the driver safety module comprises a flexible envelope or sock which contains the safety cushion in its configuration before inflation. The flexible envelope may be provided to open by tearing, or by peeling off, or by opening fusible closure members.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the flexible envelope is arranged all around the safety cushion, around a circumference of the safety cushion. According to one embodiment, the flexible envelope is arranged all around said at least one lateral inflatable portion, around a circumference of said at least one lateral inflatable portion.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the flexible envelope of the safety cushion can be woven or non-woven, and / or thermoformable.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the flexible envelope of the safety cushion can be formed by assembling a portion of flexible envelope with a housing made of injected plastic or thermoformable material.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the envelope of the safety cushion can be formed from an injected plastic housing.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the safety cushion can be rolled and / or folded and / or compressed then thermoformed.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the driver safety module comprises at least one attachment portion arranged to attach said at least one lateral inflatable portion to a secondary attachment point of the vehicle. Said at least one attachment portion is typically provided to hold the safety module in place before inflation, over its entire length. Of course, given the significant length of the safety cushion, a plurality of attachment portions can be provided, distributed along the driver safety module, for example every 10 cm or 20 cm or 30 cm for example. These attachment portions are provided to cooperate with a housing provided in the passenger compartment (typically the dashboard) and to be manipulated / actuated / engaged by an assembly operator. The attachment portion can be equipped with a clip, for example a metal one.The intermediate attachment portion(s) provided for attaching the airbag along its length may be an alternative or a complement to the attachment of the second end of the side inflatable portion to the vehicle. In other words, the second end of the side inflatable portion may be free and in this case, the intermediate attachment portion(s) may provide the function of holding the side inflatable portion in a particular position and / or providing traction on the front portion to impose a particular deployment trajectory on it.

[0027] According to one embodiment, at least one attachment portion is formed by or arranged on an edge of the airbag. Such an edge may be formed by a non-inflatable portion of the airbag, i.e., a piece of airbag wall located outside or away from the inflatable parts.

[0028] According to one embodiment, before inflating the safety cushion, the safety cushion comprises at least one portion wound on itself, over at least one turn. The deployment kinematics above or on each side of the steering wheel can be controlled and repeatable.

[0029] According to one embodiment, at least half of the safety cushion is rolled up on itself, over at least one turn. The deployment kinematics above or on each side of the steering wheel can be controlled and repeatable.

[0030] According to one embodiment, at least one portion of the safety cushion is wound on itself in a first winding direction, and in which at least a second portion of the safety cushion is wound on itself in a second winding direction. The deployment kinematics above or on each side of the steering wheel can be controlled and repeatable and / or adjusted according to the geometry of the vehicle.

[0031] According to one embodiment, before inflating the safety cushion, the safety cushion comprises at least one folded or compressed portion.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the safety cushion comprises two inflatable side portions, and the front portion is arranged between the two inflatable side portions.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the airbag comprises at least one internal wall arranged to close or restrict a gas passage towards the front portion during at least part of the deployment of the airbag. Such an internal wall (or deflector) or even a seam making it possible to partition or form an internal obstacle to the inflation gases, may be provided or arranged transversely to a gas path in the airbag, to close at least during part of the deployment, a passage and delay the inflation of the front portion. Typically, as long as the portion of the airbag which comprises the internal wall is not unfolded / unrolled in particular over the steering wheel, the inflation gases can only go into said at least one lateral portion.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the internal wall: - is arranged between the front portion and the gas generator, preferably in an area between 30% and 70% of a distance between the gas generator and one end of the front portion, and / or - has a U-shape open towards the front portion. In other words, the bottom of the U is directed towards the part of the airbag that receives the inflation gases first, and the open or upper part of the U is opposite the front portion.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the inner wall has a U-shape and wherein the safety cushion comprises a secondary inner wall arranged in the U-shape.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the internal wall is arranged in a border zone between the first winding direction and the second winding direction.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the safety cushion comprises at least one lateral internal wall arranged in said at least one lateral inflatable portion.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the airbag and / or the front portion and / or the gas generator comprises a central attachment interface, arranged to attach the airbag and / or the front portion and / or the gas generator to the vehicle, for example to the dashboard or to a chassis part of the vehicle. When the central attachment interface is arranged on the front portion, the attachment interface is preferably arranged on a central part of the airbag located in front of the front portion, i.e. a central part which is arranged so that the vehicle steering wheel is arranged between the central part and the vehicle driver when the airbag is in the protective position.

[0039] According to one embodiment, before inflation, said at least one lateral inflatable portion extends from the front portion in the rest position to a part of a dashboard.

[0040] According to one embodiment, before inflation, said at least one lateral inflatable portion extends so that in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the vehicle steering wheel is arranged between said at least one lateral inflatable portion and the vehicle driver.

[0041] According to one embodiment, before inflation, said at least one lateral inflatable portion extends from the front portion arranged in an area located above a steering column, to a passenger compartment part lateral to the vehicle steering wheel and located below the steering column or a central point of the vehicle steering wheel or a hub of the vehicle steering wheel.

[0042] According to one embodiment, before inflation, said at least one lateral inflatable portion is joined to the front portion attached in an area located above a steering column, and / or is attached to a passenger compartment or chassis part lateral to the vehicle steering wheel and located below the steering column.

[0043] According to one embodiment, during deployment of the safety cushion, the front portion is arranged to pass above the vehicle steering wheel, being held by said at least one lateral inflatable portion.

[0044] According to one embodiment, when the safety cushion is deployed, the front portion is arranged to pass above the vehicle steering wheel, following a substantially circular trajectory seen from one side of the vehicle.

[0045] According to one embodiment, at the end of deployment of the safety airbag, the front portion covers the vehicle steering wheel and / or has a substantially spherical or parallelepipedal shape so as to envelop, encircle or surround the vehicle steering wheel. In any event, once deployed, at least a portion of the safety airbag is arranged between the steering wheel and the driver or between the dashboard (if the steering wheel is retracted) and the driver, and the lateral portions can contact the dashboard.

[0046] According to one embodiment, said at least one lateral inflatable portion comprises at least two compartments separated by a wall of the safety cushion.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the vehicle is provided with a passenger compartment comprising a housing in front of the steering wheel formed for example by a groove, elongated, and with a length / width ratio of at least 10, at least 15. Seen from the driver seated in the vehicle, the housing may have a general inverted U shape, with the top of the inverted U receiving the front portion in the rest position, and each lateral branch of the inverted U receiving a lateral inflatable portion. Each lateral branch of the inverted U may be separated from the other by a distance greater than a width of the vehicle steering wheel. Each lateral branch of the inverted U may extend over a height greater than a height of the vehicle steering wheel.

[0048] According to one embodiment, before deployment, the driver safety module and / or the safety cushion: - occupies a resting position, housed in the dashboard, and / or - occupies a rest position, forward, in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, of a base plane parallel to a rim of the vehicle steering wheel and passing through a fixing member (a nut) of the vehicle steering wheel on the vehicle, and / or - occupies a rest position, forward, in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, from a base plane normal to an axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel (in the driving position) or of a steering column of the vehicle and passing through a fixing member (a nut) of the vehicle steering wheel on the vehicle.

[0049] According to one embodiment, before deployment, the base plane (and / or the vehicle steering wheel) is arranged between the driver safety module (and / or the safety cushion) and the driver (or a driver's seat).

[0050] According to one embodiment, after deployment, the front portion is arranged: - between the vehicle steering wheel and the driver (or driver's seat), and / or - between the base plane and the driver (or driver's seat), and / or - between the instrument panel and the driver (or driver's seat). Description of the figures

[0051] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly upon reading the following detailed description of an exemplary and non - limiting embodiment of the invention illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0052] [Fig.l] shows a vehicle passenger compartment equipped with a driver safety module according to the invention comprising a safety cushion and a gas generator, seen from a vehicle driver;

[0053] [Fig.2] shows a side view of the driver safety module of [Fig.l] according to a first variant, and before inflation of the safety cushion by the gas generator;

[0054] [Fig.3] represents the side view of [Fig.2] after inflation of the safety cushion by the gas generator;

[0055] [Fig.4] represents a schematic side view of a driver safety module of [Fig.l] according to a second variant, and after inflation of the safety cushion by the gas generator;

[0056] [Fig.5] represents a schematic side view of a driver safety module of [Fig.l] according to a third variant, and after inflation of the safety cushion by the gas generator;

[0057] [Fig.6] represents a schematic side view of a driver safety module of [Fig.l] according to a fourth variant, and after inflation of the safety cushion by the gas generator;

[0058] [Fig.7] represents a flat view of a part of a driver's safety cushion which can equip the variants of figures 2 to 6;

[0059] [Fig.8] represents the flat view of [Fig.7], with the internal paths of inflation gas over time.

[0060] Detailed description of embodiment(s)

[0061] [Fig.l] represents a passenger compartment equipped with a driver safety module 10 according to the invention comprising a safety cushion 20 and a gas generator 30, seen from a driver of the vehicle.

[0062] Generally speaking, the vehicle includes in particular: - a vehicle steering wheel 110 with a rim 112, spokes 113 and a hub 111, - a dashboard 120 with a central console 121, an upper dashboard part 122, an instrument cluster 123, - a 130 windshield, - a 140 driver's seat, - a 150 driver's door.

[0063] The vehicle may be designed to provide an autonomous driving mode, in which the driver does not need to hold the vehicle steering wheel 110. It may even be provided that the vehicle steering wheel 110 can be retracted or retracted into a retracted or hidden position to free up space in the passenger compartment. Provision may be made to house all or part of the vehicle steering wheel 110 in the dashboard 120. In particular, the vehicle steering wheel 110 may be articulated, or mounted on a retractable or telescopic steering column, to retract in whole or in part. The instrument cluster 123 may also be designed to retract.

[0064] The driver safety module 10 of [Fig.l] is in a rest or storage state, i.e. the airbag 20 is not deployed and the gas generator 30 (typically a pyrotechnic gas generator) has not been actuated. Consequently, the airbag 20 is housed in the passenger compartment trim and is not visible, which is why the airbag 20 and the gas generator 30 are shown in dotted lines.

[0065] The driver safety module 10 according to the invention is housed in the dashboard 120 between the steering wheel 110 and the windshield 130, that is to say in front of the steering wheel in the longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle.

[0066] In particular, the safety cushion 20 comprises a front portion 21 and two inflatable side portions 22 arranged on either side of the front portion 21, in the transverse direction (y) of the vehicle.

[0067] In this example, the front portion 21 contains or houses the gas generator 30, but other arrangements can be provided, for example with the gas generator 30 housed in another location.

[0068] It may be noted that each lateral inflatable portion 22 is joined at a first end to the front portion 21, and then extends on one side of the vehicle steering wheel 110 on the side in the transverse direction (y) of the vehicle and downwards in the vertical direction (z) of the vehicle. Each lateral inflatable portion 22 therefore comprises a second end 221 arranged in the lower part of a return of the dashboard 120. It may be considered that each second end 221 is arranged, in the vertical direction (z) of the vehicle, under a point of interaction between an axis of rotation of the vehicle steering wheel 110 and a plane of the rim 112. It may also be considered that each second end 221 is arranged, in the vertical direction (z) of the vehicle, under the rim 112. It may also be considered that each second end 221 is arranged, in the vertical direction (z) of the vehicle, under the hub 111.

[0069] To house the driver safety module 10 in the dashboard 120, an elongated groove or an elongated housing may be provided, having a general shape of an inverted U which surrounds the vehicle steering wheel 110, as shown in [Fig.l]. An external cover, a flexible wall, a decorative membrane may be provided designed to open, tear, break at the very start of deployment of the safety cushion 20.

[0070] The safety cushion 20 may be housed in an external envelope to impose on it to remain in the housing of the dashboard 120. A flexible envelope such as a sock, a flexible envelope or a portion of a flexible envelope attached to a housing or a portion of a housing may be provided... The envelope may be heat-formable, heat-shrinkable and / or heat-sealable.

[0071] The safety cushion 20 can be folded and / or compressed and / or rolled on itself; both the inflatable side portions 22 and the front portion 21. Rolling over more than one turn can be provided, in a single winding direction or in two opposite winding directions. It is also possible to provide a folded or compressed part and another rolled part.

[0072] To attach the driver safety module 10, at least one of the systems below can be provided: - the gas generator 30 comprises a central fixing interface (studs for example) for fixing the safety cushion 20 and the gas generator 30 on the dashboard 120 (or a portion of the chassis), - the safety cushion 20 or its envelope comprises fixing portions (holes, staples, staples, etc.) intended to engage with docking shapes provided along the housing of the dashboard 120. These fixings may be fusible for some of them or for all of them, in order to be freed from the dashboard 120.

[0073] In the field of fixing the driver safety module 10 to the vehicle, it can be noted in particular that the second ends 221 or any other intermediate part of the inflatable lateral portions 22 can, if necessary, be attached specifically to the vehicle (an attachment point of the dashboard 120 or the chassis of the vehicle), to provide particular functions which will be explained during the description of the different variants below.

[0074] [Fig. 2] represents a side view of the driver safety module 10 of [Fig. 1] according to a first variant, and before inflation of the safety cushion 20 by the gas generator 30. In this side view, it can be noted that a driver 200 is seated on the driver's seat 140, and holds the vehicle steering wheel 110 in his hand. A reference point 250 can be defined at the intersection of a steering column axis 115 and a plane of the rim 112. The instrument cluster 123 is located on the upper part 122 of the dashboard 120, in the field of vision of the driver 200.

[0075] In front of the vehicle steering wheel 110, that is to say between the vehicle steering wheel 110 and the windshield 130 in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle, the gas generator 30 and the front portion 21 of the safety cushion 20 are arranged in a housing of the dashboard 120. The left lateral inflatable portion 22 extends from a first end linked to the front portion 21 located above the reference point 250 along the vertical axis z to its second end 221 located in below the reference point 250 still along the vertical axis z. It can also be noted that according to this embodiment, the second end 221 is located below the vehicle steering wheel 110 along the vertical axis z.

[0076] The left side inflatable portion 22 is housed in the dashboard 120, and more particularly in a return of the dashboard or the vertical part of the dashboard which faces the driver 200. It is possible to provide for housing the side inflatable portion 22 just under the surface of the dashboard 120 or deeper.

[0077] [Fig.3] represents the side view of [Fig.2] after inflation of the safety cushion 20 by the gas generator 30. The safety cushion 20 is removed from its housing in the dashboard 120, and: - the front portion 21 is passed over the instrument cluster 123 and over the vehicle steering wheel 110, to be in a protective position, between the vehicle steering wheel 110 and the driver 200, - the left side inflatable portion 22 is arranged on the left side of the vehicle steering wheel 110, and is located between the dashboard 120 and the front portion 21.

[0078] The following points can be noted: - the protection position of the front portion 21, and more generally the deployed position of the safety cushion 20 after inflation, is independent of the position of the vehicle steering wheel 110, - the deployment and its kinematics and / or its trajectory may be a function of the initial folding or rolling of the safety cushion 20, - the lateral inflatable portion 22 is adjacent to the front portion 21 and also participates in the deployment and / or the kinematics and / or in imposing the trajectory of the front portion 21, - the lateral inflatable portion 22 can be attached to the dashboard 120 or to the vehicle (in particular on the left part of the lateral inflatable portion 22 in [Fig. 3], or at its end 221) to actively retain the front portion 21 during or at the end of deployment, - the lateral inflatable portion 22 can be in contact with the dashboard 120 once the safety cushion 20 is deployed, to provide support to the front portion 21 and participate in restraining the driver 200, in particular if the vehicle steering wheel 110 is retracted or retracted into the dashboard 120, - the lateral inflatable portion 22 may comprise several lateral compartments (two, in this example).

[0079] [Fig.4] represents a schematic side view of a driver safety module of [Fig.l] according to a second variant, and after inflation of the safety cushion by the gas generator. In this variant embodiment, the general shape of the safety cushion 20 differs from that of the variant of [Fig.3].

[0080] [Fig.4], the safety cushion 20 is shown deployed from the upper part 123 of the dashboard, with the front portion 21 arranged behind the vehicle steering wheel 110 and the lateral inflatable portion 22 filling the lateral space between the front portion 21 and the dashboard 120. In particular, it can be noted that the lateral inflatable portion 22 is supported on the dashboard 120, at a point of contact or support PC. Thus, once the safety cushion 20 is deployed, the lateral inflatable portion 22 can provide support or force absorption to the front portion 21 and participate in restraining the driver 200, in particular if the vehicle steering wheel 110 is retracted or retracted into the dashboard 120. In other words, it is not necessary to have contact between the front portion 21 and the vehicle steering wheel 110 to effectively restrain the driver 200 in the event of a frontal impact.

[0081] [Fig.5] represents a schematic side view of a driver safety module of [Fig.l] according to a third variant, and after inflation of the safety cushion by the gas generator.

[0082] As in [Fig.4], the safety cushion 20 is shown deployed from the upper portion 123 of the dashboard, with the front portion 21 arranged behind the vehicle steering wheel 110 and the side inflatable portion 22 filling the lateral space between the front portion 21 and the dashboard 120. However, it may be noted that the driver safety module 10 further comprises a strap 23 attached to the side inflatable portion 22 and to an attachment point 160 of the vehicle.

[0083] Typically, the strap 23 is formed by a tie, a strip of fabric, a rope, a strap, and the attachment bridge 160 is a part of the dashboard 120 or the chassis of the vehicle. The strap 23 can be: - sewn, or attached in different ways to the safety cushion 20, such as for example on an edge of the safety cushion 20, - rolled, knotted, pinched, screwed, clipped onto the attachment point 160.

[0084] The strap 23 can have at least one of the following functions: - participate in the deployment of the safety cushion 20, in particular by retaining the front portion 21 via the lateral inflatable portion 22 to impose on it a particular trajectory (for example circular) to pass over the vehicle steering wheel 110, - maintain the safety cushion 20 in a particular deployed position, at the end of inflation, - ensure that the lateral inflatable portion 22 is in good contact with the dashboard 120, at least at the end of deployment.

[0085] [Fig.6] represents a schematic side view of a driver safety module of [Fig.l] according to a fourth variant, and after inflation of the airbag safety by the gas generator.

[0086] As in [Fig. 5], the airbag 20 is shown deployed from the upper part 123 of the dashboard, with the front portion 21 arranged behind the vehicle steering wheel 110 and the side inflatable portion 22 filling the lateral space between the front portion 21 and the dashboard 120. The strap 23 is attached to the side inflatable portion 22 and to an attachment point 160 of the vehicle. Compared to [Fig. 5], the strap 23 of [Fig. 6] is shorter, to be attached to the left part of the end 221 of the side inflatable portion 22. Provision could be made to attach the left part of the end 221 of the side inflatable portion 22 directly to the attachment point 160 of the vehicle, for example by means of a clip or staple, made of plastic or metal.

[0087] [Fig. 7] represents a flat view of a part of a safety cushion 20 which can equip the variants of figures 2 to 6. The part shown [Fig. 7] is the flat section of an upper or lower part of a safety cushion 20 which can equip the variants of figures 2 to 6, to which internal walls 241, 242, 243 have been sewn. Typically, the safety cushion 20 comprises two parts like that shown [Fig. 7], sewn at the periphery and with the internal walls 241, 242, 243 connecting them.

[0088] The part in [Fig.7] includes several outgrowths: - the protrusions 222 and 223 are intended to form the inflatable lateral portions 22, - the protrusion 210 is intended to be included in the front portion 21, - the protrusion 231 is intended to form a connecting portion between the front portion 21 and the inflatable side portions 22, - the protrusion 251 defines a central part intended to receive the gas generator 30 and which will typically be fixed to the dashboard 120 of the vehicle.

[0089] In addition, the part of [Fig.7] comprises several internal walls (or deflectors): - the internal walls 241 are intended to partition one of the compartments of the inflatable lateral portions 22, - the inner wall 243 is U-shaped, open towards the front portion 21 in order to define gas passages between the periphery of the airbag 20 (the points between the protrusions 231 and the protrusion 210) and the points of the U of the inner wall 243, the area of ​​the airbag 20 comprising the U-shaped inner wall 243 may be included in the front portion 21, in whole or in part as shown in [Fig. 7] (it being understood that according to certain implementations, this U-shaped area may be excluded from the front portion 21, i.e. never pass between the vehicle steering wheel and the driver), - the internal wall 242 is intended to partition the compartment defined by the U-shaped internal wall 243. These internal walls act as deflectors and / or define special internal gas passages, and can be replaced for example by seams or junctions directly formed between the external walls of the airbag.

[0090] [Fig.8] represents the flat view of [Fig.7] with the gas generator 30, with the internal paths of inflation gas over time. Indeed, in the case where the safety bag is rolled up on itself, the lines T1, T2, T3 of [Fig.8] indicate the “inflation boundary line” of the safety bag at different times of inflation: - line Tl (or time Tl) indicates the volume available to the inflation gases at the very start of operation, - line T2 (or time T2) indicates the volume available at the start of inflation of the lateral inflatable portion 22, - line T3 (or time T3) indicates the volume available at the start of inflation of the front portion 21.

[0091] It can be noted that at time T2, line T2 shows that the internal wall 241 is in the process of unrolling / unfolding, and forms an obstacle to the inflation gases which must bypass the internal walls 241: the extreme part of the lateral inflatable portion is pressurized / unfolded just as much as the central part.

[0092] Between time T2 and time T3, the U-shaped inner wall 243 forms a barrier to inflation gases that cannot penetrate the front portion 21 and must first pressurize / unroll the side inflatable portion 22. Thus, the front portion cannot unroll / unfold until the side inflatable portion has unrolled to a certain degree, so that interference with the vehicle steering wheel is avoided.

[0093] After time T3, the safety cushion is unrolled over more than half of its length and the inflation gas can bypass the U-shaped internal wall 243 to pressurize / unroll / deploy the front portion 21. The interior of the compartment defined by the U-shaped internal wall 243 is pressurized at the very end of deployment, due to the internal wall 242 which forms an additional obstacle in the U-shape. Industrial application

[0094] A driver safety module according to the present invention, and its manufacture, are capable of industrial application.

[0095] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0096] In particular, it can be noted that the safety cushion 20 comprises two inflatable lateral portions 22 each having a second end 221. It is possible to provide two identical or different inflatable side portions 22 (length, volume, folding, rolling, etc.) A single inflatable side portion may be provided. Provision may be made to attach each second end 221 in the same way to the vehicle or in a different way; provision may be made to attach only one second end 221 to the vehicle, or even none.

[0097] It is possible to provide for housing the driver safety module 10 in several locations in the vehicle: in the dashboard 120, or on or in the instrument cluster 123, or on or in the vehicle chassis (for example in the windshield bay).

[0098] It may be noted that the instrument cluster 123 may be omitted and / or supplemented by a head-up display device, and that the safety cushion, and its deployment, will have to be adapted to these situations.

Claims

Claims

1. Driver safety module (10) for protecting a driver of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle steering wheel (110), the safety module comprising: - a safety airbag (20), inflatable and comprising: • a front portion (21), arranged to deploy from a rest position in which the vehicle steering wheel (110) is arranged between the front portion (21) and the driver of the vehicle, to a protection position located between the vehicle steering wheel (110) and the driver of the vehicle, and • at least one lateral inflatable portion (22), adjacent to the front portion (21) in a transverse direction of the vehicle, - a gas generator (30) arranged to inflate the safety airbag (20), characterized in that, before inflation of the safety airbag (20), said at least one lateral inflatable portion (22) extends between the front portion (21) in the rest position and a part of a passenger compartment of the vehicle,as a dashboard (120) of the vehicle, located on one side of the vehicle steering wheel (110) in the transverse direction of the vehicle.,

2. A driver safety module (10) according to claim 1, wherein, after inflation of the safety bag (20), said at least one lateral inflatable portion (22) is arranged on one side of the vehicle steering wheel (110) in the transverse direction of the vehicle and closes a lateral space between the vehicle steering wheel (110) and the dashboard (120) of the vehicle.

3. Driver safety module (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, after inflation of the safety cushion (20), said at least one lateral inflatable portion (22) is arranged on one side of the vehicle steering wheel (110) in the transverse direction of the vehicle and is arranged to bear on a part of a passenger compartment of the vehicle located in front of the vehicle steering wheel (110) in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, such as for example the dashboard (120) of the vehicle.

4. Driver safety module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one lateral inflatable portion (22) comprises a first end joined to the front portion (21) and a second end (221) attached to an attachment point of the vehicle, such as for example the dashboard (120) of the vehicle or an element of the chassis of the vehicle.

5. Driver safety module (10) according to claim 4, comprising a strap arranged to attach the second end (221) of said at least one lateral inflatable portion (22) to the attachment point of the vehicle.

6. Driver safety module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, free from external casing in particular around said at least one lateral inflatable portion, and / or comprising a flexible envelope arranged at least partially around the safety bag (20), and in particular around said at least one lateral inflatable portion (22), before inflation of the safety bag (20) and arranged to open when inflating the safety bag (20).

7. Driver safety module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising at least one attachment portion arranged to attach said at least one lateral inflatable portion (22) to a secondary attachment point of the vehicle.

8. Driver safety module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, before inflating the safety bag (20), the safety bag (20) comprises at least one portion wound on itself, over at least one turn.

9. Driver safety module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the safety cushion (20) comprises two inflatable side portions, and wherein the front portion (21) is arranged between the two inflatable side portions.

10. Driver safety module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the safety bag (20) comprises at least one internal wall arranged to close or restrict a gas passage towards the front portion (21) during at least part of the deployment of the safety bag (20).

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