Motor vehicle

Abstract

: The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) comprising a body (2) having at least one body interface (9), at least one vehicle seat (3) having a support structure (8) comprising a seat interface (10), and at least one restraining device (5) having a belt retractor (6) for a safety belt (7) and having at least one mounting interface (11, 12), wherein the at least one restraining device (5) can be mounted on the body (2) by connecting the at least one mounting interface (11, 12) to the at least one body interface (9) and on the at least one vehicle seat (3) by connecting the at least one mounting interface (11, 12) to the seat interface (10).

Description

[0001] AUDI AG P24397

[0002] motor vehicle

[0003] DESCRIPTION:

[0004] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a body with at least one body interface, at least one vehicle seat with a support structure having a seat interface, and at least one restraint device with a belt retractor for a safety belt and at least one mounting interface.

[0005] To increase the safety of vehicle occupants, especially in crash situations, restraint systems are installed in motor vehicles. These are also known as seat belt systems and comprise a belt retractor onto which a seat belt is wound for securing a vehicle occupant. Restraint systems also typically include a belt tensioner, which serves to tighten the seat belt in crash situations or during hard braking of the vehicle, thus keeping the buckled occupant securely in the vehicle seat.

[0006] Restraint systems are installed in motor vehicles in various ways, with each vehicle seat typically having at least one restraint system. Common installation positions are located transversely to the body next to the respective vehicle seat and / or longitudinally behind the respective vehicle seat. Restraint systems can also be integrated into the vehicle seats, particularly in integrated seat belt seats. This is frequently the case in the front row of convertibles, for example, as there is no B-pillar in which the restraint system can be installed. German patent application DE 10 2018 213 279 A1 describes how a restraint system can be provided or integrated into the seat structure of a vehicle seat.The individual components of the restraint system are enclosed by a structural part, which is screwed or riveted to the other structural parts of the vehicle seat.

[0007] From EP 1 265 777 B1, a special structural element for mounting on a vehicle structure is known. The structural element comprises a support element, trim parts, and functional parts of a seat belt system, wherein the trim parts and the functional parts are pre-assembled on the support element. During installation in the motor vehicle, only the support element needs to be mounted on the vehicle structure.

[0008] Restraint systems are typically designed specifically for their respective installation positions. Depending on their location, they differ in their construction and interfaces for assembly within the vehicle. Therefore, several differently designed restraint systems are usually installed in a single vehicle. Due to their differences, these systems sometimes need to be sourced from different suppliers. This complicates the manufacturing process, particularly in terms of design and / or logistics.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a concept for a motor vehicle comprising a body, at least one vehicle seat and at least one restraint device, which is improved, in particular with regard to its manufacture.

[0010] The aforementioned problem is solved according to the invention in a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset by the fact that the at least one restraint device can be mounted both by connecting the at least one mounting interface to the at least one body interface on the body and by connecting the at least one mounting interface to the seat interface on the at least one vehicle seat.

[0011] The at least one restraint device is designed, by virtue of its at least one mounting interface, for both mounting on the at least one vehicle seat and mounting on the vehicle body. For this purpose, the vehicle body has at least one body interface to which the at least one mounting interface can be connected. Furthermore, the at least one vehicle seat has a seat interface on its support structure to which the at least one mounting interface can be connected. Depending on where the at least one restraint device is to be installed in the vehicle, it can therefore be connected or coupled, via its mounting interface, either to the body interface or to the seat interface or to the vehicle seat interface. Each restraint device can thus be mounted both on the vehicle seat and on the vehicle body.

[0012] In principle, any number of identical restraint systems can be provided, with one or more restraint systems being mountable at each body interface and each seat interface. Only identical restraint systems can be installed in the vehicle, thus employing a parts-sharing strategy. This is made possible by the interfaces used for mounting on the at least one restraint system, the at least one vehicle seat, and the body.

[0013] The motor vehicle can have several, in particular four, seats, each of which has a supporting structure with a seat interface. It is also conceivable that the motor vehicle may additionally, or alternatively, have at least one bench seat, in particular a rear bench seat, which in turn has a supporting structure with one or more seat interfaces. The body of the motor vehicle preferably has several body interfaces. These can be located at the typical body-side installation positions of restraint systems.

[0014] Preferably, at least one body interface is arranged in or on a B-pillar of the vehicle body, particularly in the area of ​​the upper edge of a vehicle door opening. This allows the at least one restraint device to be mounted laterally next to a driver's seat or a passenger's seat on the B-pillar. Preferably, the vehicle has at least one corresponding body interface on each B-pillar. Each B-pillar can also have several body interfaces.

[0015] By positioning the body interface in the area of ​​the upper edge of the vehicle door opening, at least one restraint device can be mounted on the body in such a way that it is located outside a danger zone in which the body would be deformed inwards towards the passenger compartment in the event of a side collision with an object, particularly a motor vehicle. This increases crash safety. The body interface can be located in or on the B-pillar just below the vehicle roof, so that the restraint device mounted there is located completely or largely outside the aforementioned danger zone.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, it is preferred that at least one body interface is arranged in or on a C-pillar of the vehicle body, particularly in the area of ​​a rear wheel arch. This allows the at least one restraint device to be mounted laterally next to the rear seats or the rear bench seat in or on the C-pillar. Preferably, the vehicle has at least one corresponding body interface on each C-pillar. This can be arranged longitudinally behind the vehicle seat and in the area of ​​the respective rear wheel arch. Each C-pillar can also have several body interfaces. In order to provide at least one restraint device for a middle seat of a rear bench seat as well, the vehicle body can additionally or alternatively have at least one body interface longitudinally behind the middle seat.However, the restraint system can also be mounted in the vehicle seat itself or in one of the adjacent vehicle seats at a corresponding seat interface.

[0017] Preferably, the at least one restraint device has a first mounting interface and a second mounting interface, wherein the first mounting interface is configured for connection to the seat interface and the second mounting interface is configured for connection to the at least one body interface. The at least one restraint device can then be mounted on the at least one vehicle seat by connecting the first mounting interface to the seat interface. Simultaneously, it can be mounted on the body by connecting the second mounting interface to one or more of the body interfaces.

[0018] The first and second mounting interfaces may differ in their form and design or be identical. It is conceivable that at least one restraint device has two identical interfaces, the first and second, located at different positions on the restraint device. If the first mounting interface is used for assembly, the at least one restraint device will be oriented differently than when assembled using the second mounting interface.

[0019] Regarding its design, the at least one mounting interface can have one or more mounting recesses for receiving at least one fastener. The at least one mounting recess can, for example, be a bore, in particular a threaded bore, and / or a tab, from which one or more fasteners of any kind, such as screws or rivets, can be received. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one body interface and / or the seat interface can each have one or more of these mounting recesses.

[0020] The at least one mounting interface may also be or include a tab to which the restraint device can be mounted by gluing or welding or the like to the body interface or one of the body interfaces and / or to the seat interface.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the at least one mounting interface can additionally or alternatively have a hook structure, wherein the seat interface and / or the at least one body interface has a corresponding hook receptacle, and wherein the at least one restraint device can be mounted on the vehicle seat and / or the body by hooking the hook structure into the corresponding hook receptacle. Hooking the hook structure into the hook receptacle allows for particularly easy installation, in which the at least one restraint device is automatically aligned. The hook structure can have one or more hooks, in particular those spatially separated from one another. Correspondingly, the hook receptacle can have one or more receiving openings, in particular those arranged in the same manner as the hooks.

[0022] It is also conceivable that at least one body interface and / or the seat interface has the hook structure, with at least one mounting interface having the corresponding hook receptacle.

[0023] Preferably, the at least one mounting interface comprises the hook structure and one or more mounting receptacles. This allows the at least one retaining device to be attached to the body with the hook structure during a simple and easily automated assembly process, and optionally aligned and then screwed to the body using the mounting receptacle(s). In a further embodiment, it can additionally or alternatively be provided that the at least one body interface has at least one connecting element, wherein the at least one retaining device can be mounted to the body by connecting the at least one mounting interface to the at least one connecting element. The at least one connecting element can project locally from the body in the area of ​​the body interface.It is conceivable that at least one connecting element is a U-shaped or L-shaped sheet metal part firmly attached to the body. This at least one connecting element may, in turn, be provided with one or more of the mounting points and / or the hook structure or hook receptacle described above.

[0024] Here too, it is in principle conceivable that at least one restraint device can be mounted to the body by gluing or welding the at least one mounting interface to the at least one connecting element.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one restraint device comprises a housing that encloses the belt retractor, the housing having at least one mounting interface. The housing allows the belt retractor and all other components of the restraint device to be fully enclosed and protected. The housing may have a belt opening through which the seat belt wound onto the belt retractor can exit the housing.

[0026] The at least one mounting interface can be provided on the outside of the housing. It is also conceivable that it is provided inside the housing, for example, in the form of bores. If the at least one retaining device has a first mounting interface and a second mounting interface, the first mounting interface can be provided on the outside of the housing, with the second mounting interface being provided on the inside of the housing, or vice versa. The housing is preferably made of metal, in particular sheet metal. In addition to protecting the enclosed components, the housing can also increase the rigidity of the at least one retaining device. To achieve particularly high rigidity, the housing can have suitable beads and / or reinforcing struts. It is preferably made of sheet metal.

[0027] The at least one retaining device may, in particular on its housing, have at least one bracket designed to secure at least one cable and / or at least one trim panel, in particular an interior trim panel.

[0028] Preferably, the at least one restraint device can be mounted to the vehicle seat and the vehicle body in such a way that, when mounted on the vehicle seat, it increases the stiffness of the supporting structure, and when mounted on the vehicle body, it increases the stiffness of the vehicle body. In its mounted state, the at least one restraint device then provides local reinforcement, in particular stiffening, to the vehicle seat or the vehicle body. This allows it to absorb some of the collision force in the event of an accident, for example, a side impact, thus increasing the safety of the occupants. For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous if the at least one restraint device has the housing described above. This housing can be designed to be particularly robust in order to withstand high forces as a load-bearing structural component when mounted on the vehicle seat or the vehicle body.

[0029] In vehicle seats, at least one restraint device can be added to the rest of the supporting structure of the respective vehicle seat, for example by bolting or welding, so that it is an integral part of the supporting structure.

[0030] It is conceivable that the seat interface is arranged on the supporting structure in such a way that the at least one restraint device, when mounted to the seat interface via the first mounting interface, is located at the upper end of a seat backrest in the vehicle's vertical direction. The at least one restraint device can then extend, for example, from a left shoulder area towards a right shoulder area of ​​the backrest, or vice versa. The seat belt can then exit the backrest at either of the two shoulder areas.

[0031] Additionally or alternatively, it is conceivable that the seat interface or a further seat interface is arranged on the supporting structure in such a way that the at least one restraint device, when mounted to the seat interface via the first mounting interface, is located at the lower end of the vehicle seat backrest (in the vehicle's vertical direction), i.e., at the end of the backrest where the seat surface connects. The at least one restraint device need not be located on the backrest itself, but can also be installed under a seat surface or in an area between the backrest and the seat surface. In this location, the at least one restraint device can replace a seat crossbar, and the seat belt can exit at the lower end of the backrest or at the seat surface, which is advantageous, for example, for reclining positions where the backrest is steeply inclined relative to the seat surface.Furthermore, this allows the center of gravity of the backrest to be shifted downwards in the vehicle's vertical direction.

[0032] In a specific embodiment, the belt retractor of the at least one restraint device can be rotatably mounted about a pivot axis, wherein the at least one restraint device has a drive unit rotatable about a drive axis for rotating and / or decelerating the rotation of the belt retractor. The drive axis is axially extended or at an angle, particularly a right angle, to the pivot axis. The pivot axis can therefore either coincide with the drive axis or be oriented at an angle to the drive axis. The pivot axis and the drive axis can also be parallel to each other. Changing the orientation of the pivot axis relative to the drive axis changes the shape and size of the at least one restraint device. In particular, this allows adjustment of whether the seat belt wound onto the belt retractor can be unwound parallel to or at an angle to the drive axis.

[0033] By aligning the axis of rotation perpendicular or at an angle to the drive axis, at least one restraint device can be particularly well mounted in a body pillar, especially a B-pillar. Its greatest spatial extent can then run at least substantially along the body pillar in the vehicle's vertical direction, with the seat belt exiting the B-pillar in a suitable orientation, i.e., essentially parallel to the vehicle roof, by rotating the belt retractor. The restraint device is then, so to speak, mounted vertically in the body pillar.

[0034] The drive unit can be, for example, a seatbelt tensioner, particularly an electric motor-driven one. It can be connected to the restraint system in a rotationally fixed manner via a deflection device, particularly a gearbox. The gearbox may sometimes be a bevel gear drive.

[0035] Further details and specifications of the motor vehicle according to the invention are explained below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the figures. The latter are schematic representations of the principle and show:

[0036] Fig. 1 An embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention,

[0037] Fig. 2 Detail view D of the B-pillar of the motor vehicle of Fig. 1 with a restraint device with a housing, and

[0038] Fig. 3 Detail view D of the B-pillar of the motor vehicle of Fig. 1 with a restraint device without a housing. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention. Shown are a body 2 of the motor vehicle 1, two front vehicle seats 3, and a rear bench seat 4 with three rear vehicle seats 3. The motor vehicle 1 also includes several schematically depicted restraint devices 5, each mounted at different installation positions in the body 2 and in the vehicle seats 3. Each restraint device 5 includes a belt retractor 6 for a seat belt 7 by means of which an occupant can be buckled into the respective vehicle seat 3 to which the restraint device 5 is assigned.

[0039] All restraint devices 5 are identical in construction. They are each mounted either on the vehicle body 2 or on a support structure 8 of the respective vehicle seat 3. For this purpose, the interfaces used for mounting on the restraint device 5, the vehicle body 2, and the vehicle seats 3 are designed accordingly. The vehicle body 2 has a body interface 9 (not shown in detail in Fig. 1) at each body-side mounting position of the restraint device 5, with each vehicle seat 3 having a seat interface 10 on its support structure 8. Each of the identical restraint devices 5 additionally has a first mounting interface 11 and a second mounting interface 12. By connecting the first mounting interface 11 to the seat interface 10 of one of the vehicle seats 3, the restraint device 5 can be mounted on said vehicle seat 3.At the same time, the same restraint device 5 can be mounted on the body 2 by connecting the second mounting interface 12 to one of the body interfaces 9. The restraint device 5 can therefore be mounted in both the vehicle seats 3 and on the body 2 without any structural modifications. This makes it possible, within the framework of a parts-sharing strategy, to install only identical restraint devices 5 in the vehicle 1, which simplifies and reduces the cost of its production.

[0040] The mounting interfaces 11, 12, the seat interfaces 10, and the body interfaces 9 are shown schematically in Fig. 1, if at all. Furthermore, for explanatory purposes, Fig. 1 shows only individual, but in principle possible, installation positions of the restraint system 5. For example, restraint systems 5 are mounted on the support structure 8 of only one vehicle seat 3. However, one or more identical restraint systems 5 can also be mounted in the other vehicle seats 3 in a similar manner. Preferably, at least one restraint system 5 is assigned to each vehicle seat 3, either on the seat side and / or on the body side.

[0041] The body 2 has several body interfaces 9, one of which is located on a B-pillar 13 and another on a C-pillar 14 of the body 2. At the B-pillar 13, the body interface 9 is located in the area of ​​the upper edge 15 of a vehicle door opening 16, so that the restraint device 5 mounted here is positioned outside an area of ​​the body 2 that would be deformed towards the passenger compartment in the event of a side impact. This increases the safety of the occupants. At the C-pillar 14, the body interface 9 is located in the area of ​​a rear wheel arch 31 of the vehicle 1. A restraint device 5 can also be mounted analogously on the other B-pillar 13 and C-pillar 14.

[0042] Fig. 1 also shows a possible body-side mounting of the restraint device 5 in the area of ​​a lower edge 17 of the vehicle door opening 16, in which the belt retractor 6 is located in the lower area of ​​the B-pillar 13, so that the safety belt 7 exits the B-pillar 13 at the bottom.

[0043] Furthermore, a body-side mounting of the restraint system 5 is shown for the middle vehicle seat 3 of the rear seat bench 4. The restraint system 5 is arranged here in the longitudinal direction 18 of the vehicle behind the vehicle seat 3 and is mounted on the body 2 by connecting the second mounting interface 12 with the corresponding body interface 9.

[0044] Figs. 2 and 3 each show a detailed view D of Fig. 1 from inside the vehicle looking at the B-pillar 13, in which one of the restraint devices 5 is mounted.

[0045] In Fig. 2, the body interface 9 has several connecting elements.

[0046] 19 in the form of U-shaped metal plates that protrude locally from the bodywork 2, one of which is visible. The restraint device 5 is screwed to the connecting elements 19 via the second mounting interface 12, which here is realized by threaded holes in the restraint device 5. It would also be conceivable, however, that it could be mounted to the connecting elements 19 by means of rivets or any other fastening means.

[0047] In Fig. 3, the restraint device 5 has a housing 20 that encloses the belt retractor 6 and other components of the restraint device 5. A mounting receptacle 21 for receiving a fastener 22, in this case a screw, is provided on the housing 20 as a second mounting interface 12. In addition, the second mounting interface 12 on the housing 20 includes a hook structure 23 with several hooks 24. The body interface 9 has a corresponding hook receptacle 25 with several receiving openings 26, the relative arrangement of which corresponds to the relative arrangement of the hooks 24. For mounting in the B-pillar 13, the restraint device 5 is first hooked into the hook receptacle 25 with the hook structure 23 and then screwed to the body side using the mounting receptacle 21 and subsequently the screw.

[0048] In principle, the restraint device 5 can also be mounted on the support structure 8 of the vehicle seats 3 in an analogous manner. For this purpose, the restraint device 5 preferably has a housing 20 on which the first mounting interface 11 is provided on the outside. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1, two mounting positions for the restraint device 5 on the support structure 8 of the front, right (left in the figure) vehicle seat 3 are shown, in each of which the restraint device 5 is screwed to the support structure 8. In one of the two mounting positions, the restraint device 5 is arranged in a vehicle vertical direction 32 at an upper end of a backrest 33 of the vehicle seat 3, and in the other mounting position at an opposite, lower end of the backrest 33 in the vehicle vertical direction 32.The restraint device 5 has a housing 20 (not shown) with several mounting receptacles 21 in the form of bores, the support structure 8 having several threaded bores (also not shown) as the seat interface 10. In principle, the restraint device 5 can be mounted on the vehicle seat 3 in any way by connecting the first mounting interface 11 to the seat interface 10.

[0049] Typically, if the restraint device 5 is mounted on the vehicle seat side, only one restraint device 5 is provided in the vehicle seat 3. However, in principle, several restraint devices 5 can also be mounted in different mounting positions in the vehicle seat 3.

[0050] In Fig. 1, the restraint devices 5 are mounted on the vehicle seat 3 and the vehicle body 2 in such a way that they increase the stiffness of the supporting structure 8 at the vehicle seat 3 and the stiffness of the vehicle body 2. In this way, the restraint devices 5 contribute to increased occupant safety, as they can absorb high forces in the event of an accident. The stiffness of the supporting structure 8 and the vehicle body 2 can be increased particularly effectively by providing the restraint device 5 with a rigid housing 20, as indicated in Fig. 3. This housing then serves not only to protect the components of the restraint device 5 but also to increase the stiffness of the restraint device 5 itself. A particularly rigid housing 20 can, for example, be made of sheet metal and have beads and / or struts.

[0051] The restraint device 5 typically has a drive unit 27 for rotating and / or decelerating the rotation of the belt retractor 6, which is shown by way of example in the embodiment of Fig. 2. The drive unit 27 is rotatable about a drive axis 28, with the belt retractor 6 being rotatable about a pivot axis 29. In Fig. 2, the drive axis 28 and the pivot axis 29 are angled relative to each other at an angle 30, here a right angle 30°. This allows the restraint device 5 to be mounted, so to speak, upright in the B-pillar 13.

[0052] The drive axis 28 can also be positioned in an axial extension to the pivot axis 29 of the belt retractor 6. The restraint device 5 can then extend particularly narrowly along a longitudinal axis, since the pivot axis 29 and the drive axis 28 coincide.

[0053] However, if the drive axle 28 and the pivot axis 29 in Fig. 2 were parallel, the resulting orientation of the belt retractor 6 would not allow for a suitable belt routing along the B-pillar 13. The restraint device 5 could then be mounted horizontally at the lower edge 17 of the vehicle door opening 16, as indicated in Fig. 1.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS:

1. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a body (2) with at least one body interface (9), at least one vehicle seat (3) with a support structure (8) having a seat interface (10), and at least one restraint device (5) with a belt retractor (6) for a seat belt (7) and at least one mounting interface (11, 12), characterized in that the at least one restraint device (5) can be mounted on the body (2) both by connecting the at least one mounting interface (11, 12) to the at least one body interface (9) and by connecting the at least one mounting interface (11, 12) to the seat interface (10).

2. Motor vehicle (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one restraint device (5) has a first mounting interface (11 ) and a second mounting interface (12), wherein the first mounting interface (11 ) is designed for connection with the seat interface (10) and the second mounting interface (12) is designed for connection with the at least one body interface (9).

3. Motor vehicle (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one restraint device (5) comprises a housing (20) enclosing the belt retractor (6), wherein the housing (20), in particular on the outside, has the at least one mounting interface (11 , 12).

4. Motor vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one mounting interface (11 , 12) has one or more mounting receptacles (21 ) for receiving at least one respective fastening means (22).

5. Motor vehicle (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one mounting interface (11 , 12) has a hook structure (23), wherein the seat interface (10) and / or the at least one body interface (9) has a corresponding hook receptacle (25), wherein the at least one restraint device (5) can be mounted on the vehicle seat (3) and / or on the body (2) by hooking the hook structure (23) into the corresponding hook receptacle (25).

6. Motor vehicle (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one body interface (9) has at least one connecting element (19), in particular a U-shaped or L-shaped sheet metal, wherein the at least one retaining device (5) can be mounted on the body (2) by connecting the at least one mounting interface (11 , 12) with the at least one connecting element (19).

7. Motor vehicle (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one body interface (9) is arranged in or on a B-pillar (13) of the body (2), in particular in the area of ​​an upper edge (15) of a vehicle door opening (16) and / or that at least one body interface (9) is arranged in or on a C-pillar (14) of the body (2), in particular in the area of ​​a rear wheel arch (31 ) of the motor vehicle (1 ).

8. Motor vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the belt retractor (6) of the at least one restraint device (5) is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis (29), wherein the at least one restraint device (5) has a drive unit (27) rotatable about a drive axis (28) for rotating and / or delaying a rotation of the belt retractor (6), the drive axis (28) being in axial extension or at an angle (30), in particular a right angle, to the pivot axis (29).

9. Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one restraint device (5) can be mounted on the vehicle seat (3) and the body (2) such that, in a mounted state, it increases the stiffness of the supporting structure (8) on the vehicle seat (3) and increases the stiffness of the body (2) on the body.

Images