Motor vehicle safety device

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle safety device (14), comprising: - a receptacle (28) adapted to receive an airbag (84) and having a first rim (32) defining an opening (30) and a second opposite rim (35); - a flap (44) and a hinge (52) connecting said flap to said first rim (32); - a deflector (42) having an edge (56) hinged to said second rim (35) and an opposite free edge (58), said deflector being adapted to be folded inwards towards said receptacle (28) so that said free edge (58) joins said flap (44). Said flap (44) includes a rib (72) projecting near said hinge (52) and said free edge (58) engages with said rib (72) to hold said deflector (42) in a fixed position opposite said hinge (52). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Motor vehicle safety device

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle safety device including a safety airbag.

[0002] Known safety devices usually include a cylindrical receptacle installed behind an interior trim element of a motor vehicle. The cylindrical receptacle, thus forming a firing channel, houses a safety airbag confined within a suitable module.

[0003] The cylindrical receptacle is generally parallelepiped in shape and has an upper rim which defines an opening. A flap is also adapted to cover at least part of the opening and is connected to the upper rim by means of a hinge.

[0004] The cylindrical receptacle, the hinge, and the flap are molded together in one piece from a polymer material. This material is sufficiently flexible to allow the flap to pivot on the edge of the receptacle by deforming the part forming the hinge.

[0005] Also, the cylindrical receptacle is held in a fixed position, the flap against the rear of the cladding element, and the guide curves of the cylindrical receptacle extending substantially perpendicularly to the cladding element.

[0006] In addition, the latter has a rear pre-cut substantially at the right of the upper edge of the cylindrical receptacle, thus defining a window.

[0007] Furthermore, the safety device also includes a deflector mounted hinged on a lower edge of the cylindrical receptacle opposite, axially, the upper edge and at the hinge.

[0008] The deflector is adapted to be folded back into the cylindrical receptacle to join the inner face of the flap, when it closes the opening, and so as to conceal the hinge.

[0009] The edge of the deflector opposite the lower edge then has protruding fastening elements designed to engage forcefully in holes made in the flap to hold the deflector in a fixed position opposite the hinge. In addition, the deflector is equipped with lugs that engage in slots made in the cylindrical receptacle near the hinge.

[0010] Thus, when the deployment of the safety airbag is automatically commanded by the vehicle controller, it inflates in a fraction of a second and first exerts pressure on the flap which, pressed against the rear of the trim element, causes it to tear. The safety airbag then deploys inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. During During its deployment, the cushion rests on the deflector which itself comes to rest against the hinge when the cushion unfolds outwards.

[0011] Thanks to the deflector, the hinge is hidden when the airbag is deployed and is thus protected from the risk of tearing.

[0012] Reference may be made to document FR 2 979 600, which describes such a device.

[0013] However, the deflector is also molded in one piece with the receptacle cylindrical, the hinge and the flap, and it is then difficult to mold the additional fixing elements of the deflector inside the cylindrical receptacle, such as the fixing devices and the lugs.

[0014] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide a less complex device which can be easily molded in one piece and which nevertheless allows the inflatable cushion to be preserved.

[0015] In order to solve this problem, a motor vehicle safety device is proposed, comprising:

[0016] - a cylindrical receptacle adapted to receive a safety airbag and to be installed at the rear of an interior trim element of a motor vehicle, said cylindrical receptacle having a first rim delimiting an opening and a second rim opposite said first rim;

[0017] - a flap and a hinge connecting said flap to said first edge, said flap being adapted to cover at least part of said opening and to free said opening to allow said inflatable cushion to deploy through said covering element; and,

[0018] - a deflector having an edge hinged on said second edge opposite to said hinge and an opposite free edge, said deflector being adapted to be folded back into said cylindrical receptacle so that said free edge joins said flap when said flap covers said opening, while said deflector is held opposite said hinge.

[0019] Said flap includes a rib having a top and extending in projection near said hinge; and said free edge engages in said rib when said flap covers said opening, to hold said deflector in fixed position.

[0020] Thus, a feature of the invention lies solely in the implementation of a rib on the flap, on its inner face within the cylindrical receptacle, so as to support the free edge of the deflector in contact with the rib. In this way, the deflector is braced and extends against the inner wall of the cylindrical receptacle, concealing the hinge connecting the flap to the cylindrical receptacle.

[0021] Advantageously, the rib has at its base a lateral groove in which the free edge of the deflector engages.

[0022] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said deflector further comprises a tab extending along said free edge, so as to extend to the crest of said rib when said free edge is engaged with said rib. In this way, the deflector defines a substantially continuous surface up to the crest of the rib. Consequently, when the airbag deploys, it is not at risk of tearing at the crest of the rib, as will be explained in more detail later in the description.

[0023] The tab extends across the entire width of the deflector along the free edge. In this way, it extends along the entire length of the top of the rib.

[0024] Furthermore, and advantageously according to the invention, the cylindrical receptacle, the flap, and the deflector are molded together in a single piece from a polymer material. The safety device is thus produced at a cost-effective price. The polymer material used is, for example, a polyolefin. Advantageously, a thermoplastic elastomer is used. Preferably, EPDM, or ethylene propylene diene monomer, is used.

[0025] Also, according to the invention, between the deflector and the cylindrical receptacle, the molding is thinned to form a thin strip. Such a thin strip will allow the deflector to be articulated more easily on the receptacle.

[0026] Furthermore, said cylindrical receptacle advantageously has a substantially rectangular cross-section. In other words, the cylindrical receptacle defines a substantially parallelepiped-shaped space within which the folded inflatable cushion will be housed and confined within a suitable module.

[0027] According to a particularly advantageous feature of the invention, said cylindrical receptacle has two facing longitudinal walls defining two portions of a first edge and two portions of a second edge, and said hinge connects said flap to the portion of a first edge of one of said two longitudinal walls, while said edge of said deflector is hinged to the portion of a second edge of said one of said two longitudinal walls. In other words, the flap is connected to the cylindrical receptacle by one of its longer edges, just like the deflector. In this way, the deflector is adapted to face the hinge between the receptacle and the flap along its entire length. Consequently, the deflector prevents the airbag from catching and tearing on the hinge during its deployment.

[0028] Furthermore, said one of said two longitudinal walls has first lights extending between said portions of the first and second edges, and said deflector has second lights symmetrical to the first lights with respect to said second edge. In this way, when the deflector is folded against the longitudinal wall, the first and second lights coincide respectively with each other. Thus, the module including the confined airbag can be attached to the wall of the cylindrical receptacle, which is reinforced by the deflector. In other words, the wall of the receptacle is strengthened by the deflector, and it helps to retain the base of the airbag when it deploys.

[0029] According to a particularly advantageous feature of the invention, said deflector has a first face adapted to lie flat against said one of said two longitudinal walls and a last face substantially perpendicular to said first face adapted to lie flat against said flap, said deflector further having an inclined intermediate face connecting the first and last faces and extending opposite said hinge. Thus, the last face is divided into a part extending towards the free edge which is adapted to engage with the rib, and a part forming the tongue, which extends flush with the top of the rib.

[0030] Advantageously, the safety device according to the invention further comprises another flap and another hinge for connecting said flap to said first edge, said other flap being adapted to cover at least another part of said opening. In this way, the opening is completely covered by the two flaps. Also, the speed at which the opening is released for the passage of the airbag is greater compared to the use of a single flap covering the entire opening.

[0031] Furthermore, the safety device preferably comprises another deflector having another edge hinged on said second edge opposite said other hinge and another free edge opposite it. Said other deflector is thus adapted to be folded inwards towards said cylindrical receptacle so that said other free edge joins said other flap when said other flap covers said opening, while said other deflector is held opposite said other hinge. The other deflector is thus intended to protect the airbag from the other hinge when it deploys.

[0032] Furthermore, the safety device also includes a collar extending from said first edge around said opening. Such a collar thus makes it possible to better maintain the cylindrical receptacle in a fixed position, and in particular its orientation when the airbag deploys.

[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0034] [Fig. 1] is a schematic perspective view of a dashboard of a motor vehicle equipped with a safety device according to the invention;

[0035] [Fig.2]] is a schematic top perspective view of the safety device according to the invention in a first state;

[0036] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view from below of the safety device illustrated in [Fig. 2]; and,

[0037] [Fig.4] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the safety device conforming to the invention according to plan IV - IV located on the [Fig.l].

[0038] Fig. 1 shows, from a three-quarter front left view, a dashboard 10 of a motor vehicle. It is inscribed in an orthogonal coordinate system X, Y, Z of the motor vehicle, in which the X axis extends along a longitudinal front-to-back direction, oriented towards the rear of the vehicle; the Y axis extends along a transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented from left to right when in a driving situation; and the Z axis extends along a vertical direction, oriented away from the ground.

[0039] The dashboard 10 comprises an outer layer 12 molded from a thermoplastic polymer material. For example, the polymer material used is propylene.

[0040] In the embodiment presented here, the safety device 14 is installed under a pre-cut area 16 of the outer layer 12 at the level of the passenger seat of the motor vehicle. The pre-cut area 16 extends along the transverse direction Y.

[0041] The outer layer 12 has an outer face 18 shown in [Fig. 1] and an opposite, hidden inner face. The pre-cut area 16 is substantially rectangular and is formed by locally thinning the outer layer 12 on its inner face, either during molding or subsequently by machining.

[0042] This zone 16 is pre-cut into two substantially equal portions, a posterior 20 and an anterior 22 delimited by a median line 24 and a contour line 26.

[0043] We will now describe with reference to [Fig.2] and [Fig.3] the single safety device 14 before describing its mode of cooperation with the dashboard 10.

[0044] Thus, in [Fig. 2] the safety device 14 is shown in top perspective. It comprises a cylindrical receptacle 28 having an opening 30 delimited by an upper rim 32. The cylindrical receptacle 28 has a substantially rectangular cross-section along the plane Ps. Consequently, the opening 30 is also substantially rectangular.

[0045] Figure 3 shows the safety device 14 in perspective, viewed from below, and its cylindrical receptacle 28. The latter has a lower rim 35, opposite the upper rim 32, and two opposing longitudinal walls, a first wall 34 and a second wall facing substantially parallel 36. Also, the first longitudinal wall 34 has a first portion 38 of the lower rim 35, while the second longitudinal wall 36 has a second portion 40 of the lower rim 35.

[0046] On the first portion of the lower edge 38 is articulated a first deflector 42 which will be detailed in the rest of the description.

[0047] In addition, the cylindrical receptacle 28 is provided with a collar 44 which extends from the upper edge 32 around the opening 30, along a mean plane substantially perpendicular to the generatrices of the cylindrical receptacle 28.

[0048] Reference will be made again to [Fig.2] where the opening 30 is closed by two flaps, a first flap 44 opposed to a second flap 46 with respect to a median plane Pm. The latter axially cuts the cylindrical receptacle 28 into two substantially equal parts and equidistant from the first longitudinal wall 34 and the second longitudinal wall 36.

[0049] Also, opposite the first portion 38 of the lower border 35, the first longitudinal wall 34 has a first portion 48 of the upper border 32. And opposite the second portion 40 of the lower border 35, the second longitudinal wall 36 has a second portion 50 of the upper border 32.

[0050] And the first flap 44 is connected to the first portion 48 of the upper edge 32 by means of a first hinge 52. On the opposite side, the second flap 46 is connected to the second portion 52 of the upper edge 32 by means of a second hinge 54.

[0051] Also, we find in [Fig.2] the first deflector 42. It has a first edge 56 articulated on the first portion 38 of the lower edge 35. And it has a first free edge 58 opposite the first edge 56. In addition, the first deflector 42 has a width substantially close to the width of the first hinge 52.

[0052] Furthermore, the first deflector 42 comprises a first substantially rectangular face 60, extended by an intermediate face 62, also rectangular, itself extended by a last face 64 which defines the first free edge 58. In addition, the last face 64 is reinforced by a tongue 66 which extends parallel to and from the intermediate face 62. In other words, the tongue 66 extends along the first free edge 58.

[0053] It will also be observed that the first longitudinal wall 34 has a plurality of first lights 68. The lights 68, here five in number, are regularly spaced from one another. And it will also be observed that the first face 60 has a plurality of second lights 70 respectively symmetrical to the first lights 68 with respect to the first edge 56 of the first deflector 42.

[0054] Figure 3 shows more clearly the first openings 68 of the first longitudinal wall 34 and the second openings 70 of the first panel 60 of the first deflector 42. The intermediate panel 62 extended by the last panel 64 and the tongue 66 doubling the last panel 64 are also shown. In addition, the first free edge 58 of the last panel 64 is shown.

[0055] On [Fig.3], we also see from below, the first flap 44 and the first hinge 52 which connects it to the first portion 48 of the upper edge 32.

[0056] Furthermore, and in accordance with the invention, the first flap 44 is provided with a rib 72 parallel to the first hinge 52. The rib 72 has two interruptions approximately at the quarter and three-quarters of its length.

[0057] Rib 72 has a base 74 and a vertex 76.

[0058] Also, all the elements of the safety device 14 described above are molded together in one piece from a polymer material. The polymer material used is ethylene propylene diene monomer, or EPDM for short. Other elastomeric polymer materials are suitable for molding the safety device 14. Polyurethane is one example.

[0059] In addition, the safety device 14 is molded in such a way that the first panel 60 is substantially coplanar with the first longitudinal wall 34 and the last panel 64 is substantially perpendicular to the first panel 60. Also, the intermediate panel 62 forms a substantially equivalent angle with the first panel 60 and the last panel 64, close to 45°.

[0060] It is thus understood that the hinges 52, 54 are in reality local portions of material which will be able to deform when the flaps 44, 46 pivot outwards from the cylindrical receptacle 28 to release the opening 30.

[0061] Also, the molding equipment is provided to form a local thinning of the joint between the first edge 56 of the deflector 42 and the first portion 38 of the lower edge 35. In this way, the deflector 42 can easily be folded back into the cylindrical receptacle 28 so that the first panel 60 comes to lie flat against the first longitudinal wall 34, while the first 68 and second 70 lights coincide respectively with each other, and the last panel 64 comes to lie substantially flat against the first flap 44, while the intermediate panel 62 extends opposite the first hinge 62.

[0062] In addition, the first free edge 58 engages with the base 74 of the rib 72, while the tongue 66 extends at its apex 76, as illustrated in more detail in [Fig.4].

[0063] It will also be observed that the base 74 of the rib 72 has a groove into which the first free edge 58 of the first deflector 42, thus folded, engages. It will be observed that the tab 66 is flush with the apex 76 of the rib 72. Consequently, the first deflector 42 ensures a substantially continuous surface up to the apex 76 of the rib 72.

[0064] Figure 4 shows the outer layer 12 of the dashboard 10 and its outer face 18. The pre-cut area 16 of the outer layer 12 of the dashboard 10 is thus visible, against the inner face of which the safety device 14 is held. More precisely, the first flap 44 is applied against the inner face of the front portion 22 of the pre-cut area 16, while the second flap 46 is applied against the inner face of the rear portion 20.

[0065] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.4], the safety device 14 comprises a second deflector 78 folded inside the cylindrical receptacle 28 against the second wall 36 and against the second flap 46 extending opposite the second hinge 54.

[0066] In addition, inside the cylindrical receptacle, there is housed a module 80 comprising a gondola 82 and inside a folded inflatable cushion 84.

[0067] Also, the gondola has five hooks 86 engaged respectively in the two sets of five lights of the first panel 60 and of the first longitudinal wall 34. It is thus hooked to the cylindrical receptacle 28 and open towards the two flaps 44, 46.

[0068] Therefore, when the deployment of the airbag 84 is commanded, for example when the vehicle's acceleration drops suddenly, it then impacts the flaps 44, 46 and the deflectors 42, 78. Thanks to the tab 66, when the airbag wall is projected against the flap 44 and specifically the rib 72, it does not risk catching on the top 76. In other words, the tab 66 protects the airbag wall 84.

[0069] And when the airbag 84 deploys further, the two flaps 44, 46 then pivot about 90° around their respective hinge 54, 52 under the effect of pressure, while the deflectors 42 deform and deploy to release the opening 30 while preserving the airbag 84 from the hinges 54, 52.

[0070] Also, under the pressure of the airbag 84, the pre-cut area 16 opens along the median line 24 and contour line 26 in order to allow the deployment of the airbag 84 through the outer layer 12 at the passenger's side of the motor vehicle.

[0071] Obviously, such a safety device can be installed on the rear of another trim element of the vehicle.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle safety device (14), comprising: - a cylindrical receptacle (28) adapted to receive a safety airbag (84) and to be installed at the rear of an interior trim element (12) of a motor vehicle, said cylindrical receptacle having a first rim (32) delimiting an opening (30) and a second rim opposite (35) to said first rim; - a flap (44) and a hinge (52) connecting said flap to said first rim (32), said flap being adapted to cover at least a part of said opening (30) and to free said opening to allow said airbag (84) to deploy through said trim element (12);- a deflector (42) having an edge (56) hinged on said second edge (35) opposite said hinge (52) and an opposing free edge (58), said deflector being adapted to be folded inwards towards said cylindrical receptacle (28) so that said free edge (58) joins said flap (44) when said flap covers said opening (30), while said deflector (42) is held opposite said hinge (52); characterized in that said flap (44) comprises a rib (72) having a crest (76) and extending in projection near said hinge (52); and in that said free edge (58) engages with said rib (72) when said flap (44) covers said opening, to hold said deflector (42) in a fixed position.

2. Safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that said deflector (42) further comprises a tab (66) extending along said free edge (58), so as to be able to extend at the level of said top (76) of said rib (72) when said free edge is engaged in said rib.

3. Safety device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said cylindrical receptacle (28), said flap (44) and said deflector (42) are molded together in one piece of polymer material.

4. Safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said cylindrical receptacle (28) has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

5. Safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said cylindrical receptacle (28) has two facing longitudinal walls (34, 36) defining two portions of first rim (48, 50) and two portions of second rim (38, 40), and in that said hinge (52) connects said flap (44) to the portion of first rim (48) of one (34) of said two longitudinal walls, while said rim (56) of said deflector (42) is hinged on the portion of second rim (38) of said one of said two longitudinal walls.

6. Safety device according to claim 5, characterized in that said one (34) of said two longitudinal walls has first lights (68) extending between said portions of first (48) and second (38) edges, and in that said deflector (42) has second lights (70) symmetrical to the first lights with respect to said second edge.

7. Safety device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said deflector (42) has a first face (60) adapted to come to lie flat against said one (34) of said two longitudinal walls and a last face (64) substantially perpendicular to said first face adapted to come to lie flat against said flap (44), said deflector further having an intermediate inclined face (62) connecting together the first and last faces and extending opposite said hinge (52).

8. A safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises another flap (46) and another hinge (54) for connecting said flap (46) to said first edge (32), said other flap being adapted to cover at least another part of said opening (30).

9. Safety device according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises another deflector (78) having another edge hinged on said second edge (40) opposite said other hinge (54) and another opposite free edge.

10. Safety device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises a collar (44) extending from said first border (32) around said opening (30).

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