Airbag device for vehicle seat and vehicle seat equipped with airbag device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an airbag device for a vehicle seat, the airbag device comprising: The vehicle seat cushion includes at least one airbag module (1), the airbag module (1) including at least one airbag (2) and designed to be attached to a seat back (10) and / or a seat cushion (11) of a vehicle seat, and a catch strap mechanism (3) for the airbag module (1), the catch strap mechanism (3) including at least one catch strap arrangement (4) attached to the airbag (2) and designed to be attached to the vehicle seat.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag device for a vehicle seat, comprising at least one airbag module, the airbag module comprising at least one airbag and designed to be attached to the backrest and / or seat cushion of a vehicle seat, and a catch strap mechanism for the airbag module, the catch strap mechanism comprising at least one catch strap arrangement attached to the airbag and designed to be attached to the backrest and / or seat cushion of the vehicle seat. The present invention also relates to a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle, comprising a backrest, a seat cushion and an airbag device of this kind.

[0002] Such a vehicle seat is known, for example, from US 2017 / 0259774 A1, in which an airbag module is provided on each of the opposing sides of the backrest, the airbag of which is connected to a catch strap. The catch strap is provided to at least partially predetermine the deployment behavior of the airbag when triggered and to hold the airbag in a predefined position in its deployed (inflated) state. However, once the catch strap is connected to the vehicle seat with a fixed length, it is not possible for the catch strap to dynamically influence the deployment process and the position of the airbag in the deployed state.

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks described with respect to the prior art and in particular to specify an airbag device and a vehicle seat equipped with such an airbag device which makes it possible to influence the deployment process or the position of the airbag in the deployed state.

[0004] The object is achieved by an airbag device having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the airbag device are set out in the dependent claims and in the description, the individual features of which can be combined with one another in a technically rational manner.

[0005] The object is achieved in particular by an airbag arrangement having the initially mentioned features, in which the catch strap mechanism comprises a tightening device for the catch strap arrangement, the tightening device comprising a tightening element, in particular a pyrotechnically accelerable tightening element and coupled to the catch strap arrangement, whereby the path of tightening of the airbag caused by triggering of the tightening device corresponds to at least 1.5 times the path covered by the tightening element.

[0006] The airbag module may in particular comprise a housing, the shape of which is designed to be attached to the backrest or seat cushion of a vehicle seat, and an inflator may also be disposed within or on the housing, the inflator being fluidly connected to the airbag such that, when triggered, gas produced by the inflator causes the airbag to deploy.

[0007] The catch strap arrangement of the catch strap mechanism preferably consists of exactly one fabric element, such as a (catch) strap or cable, but can also consist of several fabric elements connected to each other or to the airbag. Each catch strap arrangement can be connected by one end to the airbag and by its other end to the vehicle seat, in particular the seat back or the seat cushion, in particular fixedly attached.

[0008] Here, at least one catch strap arrangement is coupled to a tightening device. The tightening device has at least one accelerable tightening element, which can be accelerated, for example, electromechanically or pyrotechnically. Thus, by activating the electromechanical or pyrotechnical drive, the tightening process of the associated catch strap arrangement can be triggered. During such a tightening process, in particular the end of the catch strap arrangement, which is connected to the airbag and moves with the airbag during the deployment of the airbag, is retracted, so that the deployment process or the position of the deployed airbag can be modified. Thus, the length of the path through which the end of the catch strap arrangement connected to the airbag is retracted during the tightening process (i.e. between the start and end of tightening) (in the case of a tightened catch strap arrangement) is called the tightening path. In contrast, the path covered by the tightening element corresponds to the length of the path that the tightening element covers during the tightening process (i.e. between the start and end of tightening). Since the catch strap arrangement is connected to the tightening element, the movement of the tightening element occurs simultaneously with the movement of the end of the catch strap arrangement connected to the airbag.

[0009] The invention now proposes that the tightening path corresponds to at least 1.5 times, preferably at least or exactly 2 times, particularly preferably at least or exactly 3 times, or even at least or exactly 4 times, the path covered by the tightening element. Since the tightening path is thus significantly longer than the path covered by the tightening element, the space for the tightening element, in particular for its linear movement, is smaller than the tightening path of an airbag, and the tightening device can be designed significantly more compact. Alternatively, the length of the path covered by the tightening element can remain the same, while the tightening path can be increased.

[0010] The tightening device can in particular have a holder with which the tightening device can be fastened to the backrest of the vehicle seat, the holder extending in the installed state from the upper frame pillar of the backrest to the rear side of the backrest. Not only the tightening element, in particular with the pyrotechnic drive, but also further elements of the tightening device can be fastened to the holder. In particular, the holder can already comprise fasteners for the ends of the catch strap arrangement, which in the installed state are arranged in a fixed manner relative to the vehicle seat. Thus, the airbag arrangement according to the invention comprises, in addition to the airbag module and the catch strap mechanism fastened to the holder, only two modules which can be easily attached to the vehicle seat during assembly, the two modules being connected to each other via the catch strap arrangement.

[0011] In one embodiment, the end of the catch strap arrangement that can be fastened to the vehicle seat can be immovably fixed to the vehicle seat, and the tightening element can be moved relative to the catch strap arrangement during the tightening process. Thus, the entire catch strap arrangement is not moved by the tightening element, but the catch strap arrangement that is tightened by the deployment process is at least partially displaced relative to a fixed point on the vehicle seat. Depending on the (forced) guiding of the catch strap arrangement between the tightening element and the end attached to the airbag, a tightening path can thus be created that is greater than the length of the path covered by the tightening element. In this case, a pulley-like arrangement of the catch strap arrangement can be formed by the arrangement of the (forced) guide, so that the tightening path is longer than the path covered by the tightening element. In this case, the movement of the tightening element takes place in particular transversely to a part of the catch strap arrangement that is in the initial position. In this case, the tightening element can act simultaneously on one, two or more parts of the catch strap arrangement.

[0012] The tightening element is thus an element which acts on the catch strap arrangement during the tightening operation and which is driven by a drive device, the tightening element being accelerated in particular transversely to the direction of extension of the catch strap arrangement by triggering the drive device of the tightening device. The tightening element may for example comprise an eyelet through which the catch strap arrangement is guided.

[0013] The catch strap mechanism may have a first guide element for the catch strap arrangement, which is in particular arranged on the holder in such a way that the catch strap arrangement is forcefully guided between the tightening element and the airbag by the first guide element.

[0014] In this connection, in particular, on the one hand, the end of the catch strap arrangement can be fixed on the vehicle seat very adjacent (i.e. in particular within less than 5 cm, even less than 2 cm) to the tightening element in its initial position (in particular fixed to the holder), and on the other hand, the first guide element is likewise arranged very adjacent (in particular within 5 cm, preferably within 2 cm) to the tightening element in its initial position. The fixed end of the catch strap arrangement and the first guide element are thus preferably at most 10 cm, particularly preferably at most 5 cm, away from each other, and the tightening path corresponds to approximately twice the path covered by the tightening element when the tightening element is arranged between the fixed end and the first guide element.

[0015] In one embodiment, the tightening element of the tightening device can be accelerated linearly, the tightening device being preferably mountable or mounted on the backrest of the vehicle seat, in particular via a holder, in such a way that the tightening element covers a linear path during the tightening movement, in particular in the direction of the lateral frame of the backrest. In case an unexpected failure occurs and the tightening element cannot be stopped after the intended tightening movement, the tightening element will crash into the frame and thus not cause further damage.

[0016] The tightening element therefore preferably undergoes a linear movement between the initial position and the position at the end of the tightening process.

[0017] In particular in this connection, the tightening device can be attached to the rear side of the backrest, the catch strap mechanism comprises a second guide element for the catch strap arrangement, which can be attached to the upper side of the backrest, in particular by a holder, in such a way that in the initial position it is bent from the rear side of the backrest towards the airbag module arranged on one side of the backrest. Thus, in this embodiment, the catch strap arrangement extends in particular from its fixed end arranged on the rear side of the backrest, along the tightening element, via the first guide element, via the second guide element and then on the upper side of the backrest to the airbag module on the side of the backrest. The forced guidance of the catch strap arrangement is also predetermined during the deployment of the airbag, whereby the orientation of the part between the second guide element and the end of the catch strap arrangement fastened to the airbag changes during deployment and the tensioning process reduces the length of the part between the second guide element and the end of the catch strap arrangement fastened to the airbag.

[0018] The second guide element of the catch strap mechanism can be designed in such a way that, in particular, an embodiment of its surface structure comes into contact with the catch strap arrangement, so that the catch strap arrangement can be moved by the second guide element in the tightening direction and movement in the opposite direction to the tightening direction is inhibited or prevented. Thus, at the end of the tightening process, the tightened position is maintained not only by the tightening element but also by the second guide element. In this case, the second guide element can form a kind of channel for the catch strap arrangement (in particular the cable), the surface structure defining the channel being designed in such a way that the catch strap arrangement can be moved only in one direction without greater resistance.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the airbag device comprises two airbag modules which can be arranged on two opposite sides of the seat back, in which case a catch strap mechanism can be associated with each airbag module and the driver, the driven tightening element and the guide of the second catch strap mechanism can also be fastened to one holder.

[0020] The invention and the technical environment are explained below by way of example with reference to the figure, which shows, diagrammatically: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view with a deployed airbag prior to the tightening process. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a perspective view after the tightening process. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a rear view after the tightening process. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view with an occupant and a deployed airbag prior to the tightening process. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view according to FIG. 6 after the tightening process. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle seat having only one airbag module.

[0022] The airbag device shown in Figures 1 to 8 is fastened to a backrest 10 of a vehicle seat. The airbag device comprises two airbag modules 1 arranged on the outer sides of the lateral frames of the backrest 10 of the vehicle seat. In the housing of the airbag modules 1 an airbag 2 is arranged in each case in the folded state.

[0023] The airbag device also comprises two catch strap mechanisms 3, each of which comprises a catch strap arrangement 4 designed as a cable. The catch strap arrangements 4 are in each case fastened by one end to the airbag 2 and by the other end to a holder 9. From a fixed fastening on the holder 9, the catch strap arrangements are guided by a tightening element 6, a first guide element 7 and a second guide element 8, all arranged on the holder 9. The tightening element 6 is connected to a pyrotechnic drive 12. The tightening element 6 can be accelerated linearly in the direction of the lateral frame of the backrest 10 by the pyrotechnic drive 12.

[0024] Figures 3 and 6 show the deployed state of the airbag 2 after the associated inflator has been ignited. In this state, the airbag 2 is located in front of the occupant's shoulder. As can be seen in particular from Figures 4, 5 and 7, the associated tightening element 6 can be accelerated by triggering a pyrotechnic drive 12, so that the end of the catch strap arrangement 4 connected to the associated airbag 2 is pulled in the direction of the seat back 10 and thus onto the occupant's shoulder. In this case, the catch strap arrangement 4 is pulled through the first guide element 7 and the second guide element 8, while the other end of the catch strap arrangement 4 is held in a fixed manner on the holder 9. By guiding the catch strap arrangement 4 in this way, the tightening path covered by the airbag 2 is larger than the path covered by the tightening element 6.

[0025] As can be seen from FIG. 8, due to the surface structure in contact with the catch strap arrangement 4 (multiple ribs arranged diagonally next to each other), the second guide device 8 is designed in such a way that the catch strap arrangement 4 can move in the tightening direction by the second guide element 8, while movement of the catch strap arrangement 4 in the opposite direction is suppressed or prevented.

[0026] 9 shows an embodiment of an airbag device with only one airbag module 1 and therefore only one catch strap mechanism 3. When triggered, the associated airbag 2 can deploy in front of the occupant's chest and be moved towards the occupant by the catch strap arrangement 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 1 Airbag module 2 Airbags 3 Catch strap mechanism 4 Catch strap configuration 5 Tightening device 6. Tightening elements 7 First Guide Element 8 Secondary Guide Element 9 Holder 10 Backrest 11 Seat cushion 12 Pyrotechnic drive unit

Claims

1. An airbag device for a vehicle seat, comprising at least one airbag module (1) containing an airbag (2) and designed to be mounted on said vehicle seat; at least one catch strap mechanism (3) for said airbag module (1), comprising a catch strap arrangement (4) attached to said airbag (2) and designed to be mounted to said vehicle seat; the catch strap mechanism (3) comprises a tightening device (5) for the catch strap arrangement (4), The tightening device (5) comprises a pyrotechnically accelerable tightening element (6) coupled to the catch strap arrangement (4), the length of the tightening path of the catch strap arrangement, which is tightened during deployment of the airbag by the trigger of the tightening device (5), is at least 1.5 times the length of the path covered by the tightening element (6); The end of the catch strap arrangement (4) that can be fastened to the vehicle seat is immovably fixed to the vehicle seat; 1. An airbag device, comprising: an airbag tensioning element (6) that is movable towards the catch strap arrangement (4) transversely to a direction of extension of the catch strap arrangement (4) during a tightening process.

2. 2. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the catch strap mechanism (3) comprises a first guide element (7) for the catch strap arrangement (4), the first guide element (7) being configured such that the catch strap arrangement (4) is forcibly guided between the tightening element (6) and the airbag (2) by the first guide element (7).

3. 3. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the end of the catch strap arrangement (4) can be fixed to the vehicle seat adjacent the tightening element (6) in an initial position, and the first guide element (7) is arranged adjacent the tightening element (6) in the initial position.

4. 4. An airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tightening element (6) of the tightening device (5) can be accelerated linearly and in particular can be attached to the backrest (10) of the vehicle seat such that the tightening element (6) covers a straight path, in particular in the direction of a lateral frame of the backrest (10) of the vehicle seat.

5. 5. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the tightening device (5) can be attached to a rear side of a backrest (10) of the vehicle seat, and the catch strap mechanism (3) comprises a second guide element (8) which can be attached to an upper side of the backrest (10) such that the catch strap arrangement (4) is, in an initial position, bent from the rear side of the backrest (10) towards the airbag module (1) arranged on one side of the backrest (10).

6. 6. An airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second guide element (8) of the catch strap mechanism (3) is designed such that the catch strap arrangement (4) is movable in a tightening direction by the second guide element (8) and is inhibited or prevented from moving in a direction opposite to the tightening direction.

7. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tightening device (5) includes a holder (9) by means of which the tightening device (5) can be fastened to a backrest (10) of the vehicle seat, the holder (9) extending from an upper frame pillar to the rear side of the backrest (10) in an installed state.

8. The airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the airbag device comprises two airbag modules (1), the two airbag modules (1) being positionable on opposite sides of a seat back (10) of the vehicle seat, and a catch strap arrangement (3) is associated with each airbag module (1).

9. A backrest (10); A seat cushion (11); An airbag device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; A vehicle seat for a motor vehicle comprising:

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