Motor vehicle, pyrotechnic lifter and method for controlling a safety system in a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (10) comprising a main body (11) and wheels (12) attached to the main body (11), wherein each wheel (12) is attached to the main body (11) by means of a suspension (13), wherein each suspension (13) is adapted to lift the main body (11) with respect to the respective wheel (12). Each suspension (13) comprises a pyrotechnic lifter (14) adapted to lift the main body (11) with respect to the respective wheel (12). The invention further relates to a method for controlling a safety system (23) of a motor vehicle (10).

Description

[0001] Motor vehicle, pyrotechnic lifter and method for controlling a safety system in a motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a main body and wheels attached to the main body, wherein each wheel is attached to the main body by means of a suspension, wherein each suspension is adapted to lift the motor vehicle with respect to the respective wheel. The invention further relates to a pyrotechnic lifter for a suspension of a motor vehicle and to a method for controlling a safety system in a motor vehicle comprising the safety system, a main body and wheels attached to the main body, wherein each wheel is attached to the main body by means of a suspension, wherein each suspension is adapted to lift the motor vehicle with respect to the respective wheel.

[0003] In general, motor vehicles are prone to crashes. Therefore, they are equipped with passive safety systems like airbags and safety belts to retain occupants in order to avoid injuries in the event of a crash. Further on, motor vehicles may have active safety system like electronics to stabilize the motor vehicle and to avoid crashing at all or to mitigate the severity of a crash.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of further improving the safety of a motor vehicle.

[0005] The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims, in the figures and in the accompanying description.

[0006] According to the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising a main body and wheels attached to the main body, wherein each wheel is attached to the main body by means of a suspension, wherein each suspension is adapted to lift the main body with respect to the respective wheel, wherein each suspension comprises a pyrotechnic lifter adapted to lift the main body with respect to the respective wheel. The proposed motor vehicle allows to the lift the vehicle on one side in the incident of a crash, so that the occupants are moved away from the side of impact. The pyrotechnic lifters provide sufficient energy and power to lift the vehicle with sufficient speed so that the occupants, particularly the heads of the occupants, have a longer distance to the area of the crash. In addition, the pyrotechnic lifter requires a small volume so that it can be easily integrated into a motor vehicle. The pyrotechnic lifter provides a small and lightweight means to lift the motor vehicle as a safety means in a cost-effective manner. The main body is preferably the chassis or the main load bearing structure of the motor vehicle.

[0007] It is further proposed that the motor vehicle has two lateral sides, wherein the motor vehicle is adapted to lift a first lateral side of the motor vehicle with respect to a second lateral side of the motor vehicle by activating the pyrotechnic lifters on the first lateral side to be lifted.

[0008] Thereby, the angle of impact can be optimized in order to reduce and avoid injuries to the occupants in the event of a crash. This is particularly effective in the event of a crash on a lateral side, where the range of deformation is limited by the width of the motor vehicle, especially in a typical side-by-side seat configuration.

[0009] The activation of the pyrotechnic lifters makes it possible to rapidly increase of the distance between the main body of the motor vehicle and the respective wheel, so that the main body is preferably lifted with respect to the ground.

[0010] Preferably, the activation of the pyrotechnic lifter comprises the ignition of a pyrotechnic charge that provides enough power and energy to quickly lift the main body of the motor vehicle in a sufficient manner.

[0011] It is further proposed that the motor vehicle has a front side and a rear side, wherein the motor vehicle is adapted to lift the front side of the motor vehicle with respect to the rear side of the motor vehicle by activating the pyrotechnic lifters on the front side. This increases the safety of occupants of the motor vehicle in the event of a frontal crash. In general, the pyrotechnic lifters on the side that is not to be lifted are not activated when the pyrotechnic lifters on the crash side or the side to be lifted are activated.

[0012] In a further development, it is proposed that the motor vehicle has a front side and a rear side, wherein the motor vehicle is adapted to lift the rear side of the motor vehicle with respect to the front side of the motor vehicle by activating the pyrotechnic actuators on the rear side.

[0013] It is further proposed that the motor vehicle is adapted to be lifted with respect to two wheels on one side of the motor vehicle by means of the corresponding pyrotechnic lifters in less than 1.0 second, preferably in less than 0.5 second.

[0014] This makes it possible, in the event of a crash or pre-crash situation, to lift or raise the crash side of the vehicle quickly enough to increase the distance between an obstacle and the occupants, in particular the heads and upper bodies of the occupants, in order to provide a greater distance for improved safety.

[0015] Preferably, the motor vehicle is adapted to be simultaneously lifted with respect to two wheels on one side of the motor vehicle by means of the corresponding pyrotechnic lifters.

[0016] In a further development, the pyrotechnic lifter is adapted to lift the motor vehicle with respect to the wheel by at least 5 cm.

[0017] This enables a one-sided lift of the motor vehicle that is significant enough to reduce the effect of a crash on the occupants.

[0018] Preferably, the pyrotechnic lifters are connected to the motor vehicle by means of connecting plates. The connecting plate allows to transfer the load from the pyrotechnic lifter, in particular the activated pyrotechnic lifter, into the main body of the motor vehicle. Further preferably, the connecting plate is attached to a mounting point of the suspension.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the motor vehicle is adapted to activate two pyrotechnic lifters and a side airbag, preferably a curtain airbag, on one lateral side of the motor vehicle within 1 second, preferably simultaneously. Thereby, the lifting of the main body on the crash side can be adjusted to the deployment of an airbag and in particular a curtain airbag.

[0020] Preferably, the pyrotechnic lifter comprises a gas generator. The gas generator allows, when activated, to produces enough hot pressurized gas as an energy source in order to lift the main body with respect to the wheel.

[0021] Furthermore, the pyrotechnic lifter preferably comprises a gas piston. A gas piston allows pressurized gas to be converted into a linear motion, so that the main body can be effectively lifted with respect to a wheel or the ground.

[0022] In a further development, it is proposed that the motor vehicle comprises a safety system, which is adapted to detect a pre-crash situation and / or crash situation and to activate the pyrotechnic lifters based on a detected pre-crash situation or crash situation.

[0023] The safety system allows the optimal timing of the activation of the pyrotechnic lifters. Thereby, the lifting of the crash side of the motor vehicle can take place in time before an impact in order to position the occupants, in particular the heads and upper bodies, at a greater distance relative to the impact. Preferably, the safety system is adapted to determine the crash side, so that the pyrotechnic lifters on that side can be activated by the safety system of the motor vehicle. The safety system may be integrated into an electronic control unit.

[0024] To further solve the object of the invention, a pyrotechnic lifter for a suspension of a motor vehicle is proposed comprising lifting mechanism, a pyrotechnic gas generator, and a wiring harness for connecting the pyrotechnic gas generator to a vehicle safety system.

[0025] The pyrotechnic lifter is preferably capable of generating a force that can be transferred via the lifting mechanism to a suspension of a motor vehicle. Preferably, the force is generated by the pyrotechnic gas generator when the pyrotechnic lifter, in particular the pyrotechnic gas generator, is activated. In order to activate the pyrotechnic gas generator, the pyrotechnic gas generator preferably receives a signal from a vehicle safety system. The signal can be a power signal that directly ignites the pyrotechnic gas generator or a data signal that is processed by an electronic means of the pyrotechnic gas generator or pyrotechnic lifter. The lifting mechanism is preferably an actuator, even more preferably a gas piston. In advantageous embodiments, the lifting mechanism may be part of a suspension of a motor vehicle connecting the main body of the motor vehicle to one or more of its wheels.

[0026] In a further development, a pyrotechnic lifter is proposed that comprises a connecting plate for fastening the pyrotechnic lifter to a main body of a motor vehicle.

[0027] The connecting plate allows to transfer the lifting force to the main body in order to lift the main body with respect to the respective wheel.

[0028] In order to further solve the object of the invention, a method for controlling a safety system in a motor vehicle is proposed, the motor vehicle comprising the safety system, a main body and wheels attached to the main body, wherein each wheel is attached to the main body by means of a suspension, wherein each suspension is adapted to lift the main body with respect to the respective wheel, with by the following steps: the safety system detects a pre-crash situation and / or crash situation, the safety system determines the crash side, one of the two lateral sides, or the front side, or the rear side of the motor vehicle, the safety system controls the suspensions on the crash side to lift the main body with respect to two wheels.

[0029] The proposed method allows to lift one side of the vehicle to keep the passengers away from the point of impact in the incident of a crash, in particular a side crash. Thereby, the likelihood of injuries of the occupants due to a crash, in particular a side crash, can be further reduced. In preferred embodiments, side airbags and / or curtain airbags are also activated on the side of impact, which is also the lifted side of the motor vehicle. It is further proposed that the safety system controls the suspensions on the crash side to lift the main body with respect to two wheels by activating pyrotechnic lifters mounted to the suspension.

[0030] This allows to lift the respective side of impact, in particular a lateral side of the motor vehicle in a fast and reliable manner.

[0031] In the following the invention shall be illustrated based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therein shows:

[0032] Fig. 1 a motor vehicle with pyrotechnic lifters in a top view;

[0033] Fig. 2 a motor vehicle with pyrotechnic lifters in a front view;

[0034] Fig. 3 a motor vehicle with pyrotechnic lifters in a front view that is lifted by the pyrotechnic lifters on a lateral side;

[0035] Fig. 4 a motor vehicle with pyrotechnic lifters in a side view;

[0036] Fig. 5 a motor vehicle with pyrotechnic lifters in a front view that is lifted by the pyrotechnic lifters on the front side;

[0037] Fig. 6 a detail view of the suspension with a pyrotechnic lifter;

[0038] Fig. 7 a schematic illustration of a suspension with a pyrotechnic lifter; and

[0039] Fig. 8 a schematic illustration of a suspension with a pyrotechnic lifter.

[0040] Figure 1 schematically shows an advantageous embodiment of a motor vehicle 10 in a top view. The motor vehicle 10 comprises four wheels 12 in a typical car configuration, wherein the wheels 12 are attached to a main body 11 or chassis of the motor vehicle 10 by means of suspensions 13. Each suspension 13 comprises a pyrotechnic lifter 14 which is connected to a safety system 23 of the motor vehicle 10 via a wiring harness 24. The safety system 23 is adapted to control the activation of the pyrotechnic lifters 14 individually. The motor vehicle 10 has a front side 17 facing the main direction of travel and a rear side 18. The lateral side 15 is the left side of the motor vehicle 10 and the lateral side 16 is the right side of the motor vehicle 10 in this embodiment. However, in further embodiments, the lateral side 14 may be the right side and the lateral side 15 may be the left side.

[0041] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a front view of a motor vehicle 10 as shown in Figure 1. The motor vehicle 10 is adapted to detect a crash situation or a pre-crash situation by means of an electronic safety system 23. The safety system 10 determines the side of impact or the side of the probable side of impact and activates the pyrotechnic lifters 14 accordingly.

[0042] Figure 3 shows an example the impact on the lateral side 15. The pyrotechnic lifters 14 of the lateral side 15 have been activated so that the suspension 13 increases the distance between the wheels 12 and the main body 11 on the lateral side 15. This increases the distance between the head and the upper torso of an occupant to the point of impact. In addition, a side airbag 20 or curtain airbag 20 is activated and deployed as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0043] Figure 4 shows the motor vehicle 10 from a lateral side, wherein the impact in the event of a crash is on the front side 17 in this example. As can be seen in Figure 5, the two pyrotechnic lifters 14 on the front side 17 of the motor vehicle 10 have been activated. The front side 17 is thus lifted with respect to the rear side 18 of the motor vehicle.

[0044] Figure 6 shows a detail view of the suspension 13 with a pyrotechnic lifter 14, wherein a connecting plate 19 is provided to connect the suspension 13 with the pyrotechnic lifter 14 to the main body 11 of the motor vehicle 10.

[0045] Figures 7 and 8 show schematic illustrations of a suspension 13 with pyrotechnic lifter 14 mechanically connecting a wheel 12 to the main body 11. The pyrotechnic lifter 14 comprises a pyrotechnic gas generator 21 that can be ignited by a safety system 23 or an ECU via a wiring harness 24. The pyrotechnic gas generator 21 is connected to a gas piston 22. Figure 7 shows the normal state of the suspension 13 and the pyrotechnic lifter 14 before a crash or an imminent crash. In Figure 8 a crash or a pre-crash situation has been detected and the pyrotechnic lifter 14 has received a signal via the wiring harness 24 to ignite the pyrotechnic gas generator 21. The hot and pressurized gas of the pyrotechnic gas generator 21 drives a gas piston 22 that increases the distance between the wheel 12 and the main body 11 and thereby lifts the motor vehicle 10 with respect to this wheel 12.

Claims

Claims:

1. Motor vehicle (10) comprising a main body (11) and wheels (12) attached to the main body (11), wherein each wheel (12) is attached to the main body (11) by means of a suspension (13), wherein each suspension (13) is adapted to lift the main body (11) with respect to the respective wheel (12), characterized in that each suspension (13) comprises a pyrotechnic lifter (14) adapted to lift the main body (11) with respect to the respective wheel (12).

2. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor vehicle (10) has two lateral sides (15, 16), wherein the motor vehicle (10) is adapted to lift a first lateral side (15) of the motor vehicle (10) with respect to a second lateral side (16) of the motor vehicle (10) by activating the pyrotechnic lifters (14) on the lateral side (14) to be lifted.

3. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the motor vehicle (10) has a front side (17) and a rear side (18), wherein the motor vehicle (10) is adapted to lift the front side (17) of the motor vehicle (10) with respect to the rear side (18) of the motor vehicle (10) by activating the pyrotechnic lifters (14) on the front side (17).

4. Motor vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle (10) has a front side (17) and a rear side (18), wherein the motor vehicle (10) is adapted to lift the rear side (18) of the motor vehicle (10) with respect to the front side (17) of the motor vehicle (10) by activating the pyrotechnic lifters (14) on the rear side (18).

5. Motor vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle (10) is adapted to be lifted with respect to two wheels (12) on one side (15, 16, 17, 18) of the motor vehicle (10) by means of the correspondingpyrotechnic lifters (14) in less than 1 second.

6. Motor vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pyrotechnic lifter (14) is adapted to lift the motor vehicle (10) with respect to the wheel (12) by at least 5 cm.

7. Motor vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pyrotechnic lifters (14) are connected by means of connecting plates (19) to the motor vehicle (10).

8. Motor vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle (10) is adapted to activate two pyrotechnic lifters (14) and a side airbag (20) on one lateral side (15, 16) of the motor vehicle (10) within 1 second.

9. Motor vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that pyrotechnic lifter (14) comprises a pyrotechnic gas generator (21).

10. Motor vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pyrotechnic lifter (14) comprises a gas piston (22).

11. Motor vehicle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle (10) comprises a safety system (23), which is adapted to detect a pre-crash situation and / or crash situation and to activate the pyrotechnic lifters (14) based on a detected pre-crash situation or crash situation.

12. Pyrotechnic lifter (14) for a suspension of a motor vehicle (10) comprising lifting mechanism, preferably an actuator, further preferably a gas piston (22), a pyrotechnic gas generator (21), and a wiring harness (24) for connecting the pyrotechnic gas generator (21) to a vehicle safety system (23).

13. Pyrotechnic lifter (14) according to claim 12, characterized in that the pyrotechnic lifter (14) comprises a connecting plate (19) for fastening the pyrotechnic lifter (14)to a main body (11) of a motor vehicle (10).

14. Method for controlling a safety system (23) in a motor vehicle, comprising the safety system (23), a main body (11) and wheels (12) attached to the main body (11), wherein each wheel (12) is attached to the main body (11) by means of a suspension (13), wherein each suspension (13) is adapted to lift the main body (11) with respect to the respective wheel (12), characterized by the following steps: the safety system (23) detects a pre-crash situation and / or crash situation, the safety system (23) determines the crash side (15, 16, 17, 18), one of the two lateral sides (15, 16), or the front side (17), or the rear side (18) of the motor vehicle (10), the safety system (23) controls the suspensions (13) on the crash side (15, 16, 17, 18) to lift the main body with respect to two wheels (12).

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the safety system (23) controls the suspensions (13) on the crash side (15, 16, 17, 18) to lift the main body with respect to two wheels (12) by activating pyrotechnic lifters (14) mounted to the suspension (13).

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