Occupant restraint device for a motor vehicle

An occupant restraint device for a motor vehicle includes a supporting structure of the motor vehicle. The supporting structure includes an outer side facing an exterior of the vehicle and an inner side facing an interior of the vehicle. A vehicle seat includes an outer side facing the inner side of the supporting structure. A receptacle for an airbag is arranged on the outer side of the motor vehicle seat. An openable region is included on the receptacle such that the airbag can be deployed into the interior of the vehicle. A pre-crash detection device identifies an imminent application of force on the outer side of the supporting structure. The pre-crash detection device triggers a shifting of the receptacle from an inoperative position into an operative position along a direction of movement between the outer side of the vehicle seat and the inner side of the supporting structure.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of an occupant restraint device for a motor vehicle.

A conventional occupant restraint device includes a supporting structure of a motor vehicle. When fit in a motor vehicle, the supporting structure includes an outer side that faces an exterior space of the motor vehicle, an inner side that faces an interior of the motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle seat. The motor vehicle seat includes an outer side that faces the inner side of the supporting structure. Additionally, an airbag can be deployed in order to protect an occupant from an application of force taking place on the outer side of the supporting structure from the exterior space. A receptacle for the airbag is mounted on the motor vehicle seat. The airbag can be deployed into the interior of the motor vehicle through an openable region of the receptacle.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the disclosure relates to an occupant restraint device for a motor vehicle including a supporting structure of the motor vehicle including an outer side facing an exterior space of the motor vehicle and an inner side facing an interior of the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle seat includes an outer side facing the inner side of the supporting structure. An airbag capable of being deployed to restrain an occupant upon an application of force on the outer side of the supporting structure from the exterior space. A receptacle of the airbag is arranged on the outer side of the motor vehicle seat. An openable region of the receptacle through which the airbag can be deployed into the interior of the motor vehicle. A pre-crash detection device for identifying an imminent application of force on the outer side of the supporting structure from the exterior space. The pre-crash detection device triggers a shifting of the receptacle from an inoperative position into an operative position along a direction of movement between the outer side of the motor vehicle seat and the inner side of the supporting structure upon identifying an imminent application of force.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to various embodiments, an occupant restraint device may have improved deployment of an airbag, compared to conventional occupant restraint devices.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a pre-crash detection device may be provided. The pre-crash detection device may be configured to identify an imminent application of force that takes place on the outer side of the supporting structure from the exterior space. The pre-crash detection device, upon identifying an imminent application of force, may trigger a movement of the receptacle of the airbag from an inoperative position into an operative position. The movement may take place along a direction of movement directed from the outer side of the motor vehicle seat to the inner side of the supporting structure.

When the receptacle is deployed, a connection or coupling between the supporting structure and the motor vehicle seat (e.g. the seat back) is possible. The connection may oppose blocking of the airbag deployment space upon occurrence of an intrusion of the supporting structure during a side crash. Thus, the airbag's deployment into the interior of the motor vehicle may be improved.

As a result of the movement of the receptacle of the airbag from the inoperative position into the operative position, the openable region may be arranged between the inner side of the supporting structure and the outer side of the motor vehicle. Therefore, the airbag can be freely deployed in the straight ahead direction of travel between the inner side of the supporting structure and the outer side of the motor vehicle seat. Furthermore, the positioning reliability of the airbag may be improved.

Additionally, a movement generating device may be included for the optionally reversible movement of the receptacle of the airbag or of a complete airbag module arranged in the receptacle. The movement generating device may be coupled to the pre-crash detection device. Furthermore, when the pre-crash detection devices detects an imminent application of force (for example, a side crash), the movement generating device may shift the receptacle from the inoperative position into the operative position.

Furthermore, a pre-crash detection device may be configured and provided. When an imminent application of force taking place on the outer side of the supporting structure (lateral body) from the exterior space is identified, the pre-crash detection device may generate a first output signal that triggers the movement generating device.

Additionally, a gas generator for inflating the airbag may be provided. The gas generator generates or releases gas necessary for inflating the airbag when the receptacle is in an operative position.

The pre-crash detection device may be included to generate a second output signal that activates the gas generator to inflate the airbag if the receptacle is in the operative position. The pre-crash detection device may be configured to generate the second output signal when an imminent application of force directed at the supporting structure from the exterior space is detected.

Additionally, a crash sensor (such as shown inFIG. 1as reference numeral90) may be included to activate the gas generator. The crash sensor may also activate the airbag when an application of force to the outer side of the supporting structure is detected by the crash sensor. Furthermore, the airbag may be activated only when the openable region is arranged outside the motor vehicle seat.

According to an exemplary embodiment the receptacle, when in an operative position, presses against the inner side of the supporting structure for the mechanical coupling to the supporting structure. Thus, in the event of an application of force acting on the outer side of the supporting structure, the receptacle may oppose a deformation of the supporting structure counter to the direction of movement. The receptacle may also reduce a blocking of the absorption path between the supporting structure and the vehicle seat.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle may be shifted along the direction of movement by the movement generating device. The receptacle may only be shifted to an extent such that the receptacle just touches the inner side of the supporting structure in the operative position. Thus, the receptacle may be supported on the inner side.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when the receptacle is shifting into the operative position, the receptacle may be pressed with a pre defined force against the supporting structure along the direction of movement by the movement generating device. As a result, the motor vehicle seat may deform counter to the direction of movement, enlarging the deployment space of the airbag or an absorption path between the supporting structure and the motor vehicle seat. More particularly, the deformation may occur to the back of the motor vehicle seat or to the side cheek emerging from the motor vehicle seat.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the motor vehicle seat may be mounted in a linearly displaceable manner counter to the direction of movement in the motor vehicle. During the displacement into the operative position, the receptacle may be pressed against the inner side of the supporting structure by the movement generating device, thus shifting the motor vehicle seat away from the supporting structure counter to the direction of movement. As a result, the absorption path can be enlarged, thereby reducing the risk of injury to an occupant in the motor vehicle seat during an intrusion of the supporting structure in the direction of the interior of the motor vehicle.

The receptacle may be designed as a rigid housing, with a region of weakness formed on the openable region of the receptacle. When the airbag inflates, the openable region may tear along the region of weakness. When inflated, the airbag may press against the openable region along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Therefore, the region of weakness can be formed linearly. The region of weakness in an openable region can be constructed in the form of a film, fabric, tear seam, adhesive bond, or any other material with a small material thickness.

The receptacle may completely surround the airbag before the openable region is opened. As a result, the risk of damage to the airbag upon deployment into the operative position may be limited. The gas generator may be similarly arranged in the receptacle or within the airbag.

According to an exemplary embodiment, for shifting from the inoperative position into the operative position, the receptacle may be mounted on the motor vehicle seat in a linearly displaceable manner along the direction of movement. More particularly, the receptacle may be mounted in a seat back of the motor vehicle seat that forms a bearing surface for the back of an occupant correctly occupying the motor vehicle seat. The seat back may include a side cheek that protrudes over the bearing surface of the seat back transverse to the direction of movement. The side cheek may be arranged along the direction of movement between the occupant occupying the seat and the supporting structure. The side cheek may be configured and provided in order to support a body side of the occupant that faces the supporting structure. An additional side cheek of similar type lies opposite the first side cheek along the transverse axis of the vehicle such that an occupant occupying the motor vehicle seat is at least partially arranged along the direction of movement (transverse axis y of the vehicle) between the two side cheeks.

The receptacle mounted on the seat back may be concealed in the inoperative position by an outermost covering of the seat back. Therefore, the receptacle in the inoperative position may not be perceived when looking at the motor vehicle seat.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle may be mounted in the seat back. Furthermore, the receptacle may be pressed against the inner side of the supporting structure during movement into the operative position. Therefore, the side cheek may abut against an occupant in the motor vehicle seat counter to the direction of movement of the receptacle when the receptacle shifts into the operative position.

The movement generating device includes at least one prestressable spring. The relaxation movement of the prestressable spring may generate the movement of the receptacle from the inoperative position into the operative position. As a result, the spring couples the receptacle to the backrest frame of the seat back that the receptacle is mounted on. Thus, the receptacle may move between the inoperative position and the operative position. The spring may prestress the receptacle against the backrest frame in the inoperative position. Thus, upon a relaxation movement of the spring, the receptacle may shift along the direction of movement into the operative position.

In order to lock the receptacle in the inoperative position, a first locking element may be included. The first locking element may be mounted on the receptacle such that the first locking element may move between two positions. The first locking element in the first position may prevent a relaxation movement of the spring. When the first locking element moves into the second position, the spring may be released such that the receptacle may be moved from the inoperative position into the operative position by the spring.

An additional movement generating device may be included. The movement generating device may interact with the pre-crash detection device for pivoting the first locking element into the second position. The additional movement generating device includes a magnetic coil configured to press a coupling element against the first locking element, thereby pivoting the first locking element from the first position into the second position. In the second position, the first locking element may release the spring.

The additional movement generating device may be triggered by an electronic control system that interacts with the magnetic coil. The electronic control system may, upon reception of the first output signal from the pre-crash detection device, activate the magnetic coil for pivoting the first locking element into the second position.

Additionally, a second locking element may be included. The second locking element may be configured to slide along a region of the backrest frame during movement of the receptacle between the inoperative position and the operative position. Furthermore, the second locking element may be prestressed against a region such that, as the second locking element slides along the region, the second locking element may engage at least one recess formed on the region.

The at least one recess may form an abutment for the receptacle. The abutment may absorb the forces acting on the receptacle counter to the direction of movement. As a result, the receptacle may resist being displaced counter to the direction of movement and out of the operative position when the second locking element is engaged with at least one recess.

A plurality of recesses may be provided on a region of the backrest frame. The recesses may be engaged by the second locking element as it slides along the region.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second locking element may be designed as a lever that may pivot between two positions. In the first position, the second locking element may not engage any of the at least one recesses. In the second position, the second locking element may engage with at least one recess. The lever in the first position may be prestressed in the direction of the second position such that the lever may be pressed into at least one recess when sliding past a recess.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle may be designed such that it can be reversibly moved between the inoperative position and the operative position. Furthermore, when an application of force is foreseen by the pre-crash detection device and does not occur, the pre-crash detection device may provide a third output signal. The third output signal may trigger a shifting of the receptacle from the operative position back into the inoperative position.

The supporting structure may include a lateral body region, a lateral motor vehicle door and a motor vehicle pillar. Furthermore, the motor vehicle seat may be a driver's seat or a front passenger's seat of a motor vehicle.

FIGS. 1 and 2show a schematic view of an occupant restraint device1with a motor vehicle seat. The motor vehicle seat is designed as a driver's seat3with a supporting structure2. The support structure2is arranged adjacent to the motor vehicle seat3and is a pillar B of a motor vehicle. The supporting structure2includes an outer side2athat faces the exterior space A of the motor vehicle. An inner side2bfaces away from the outer side2aand faces an outer side3aof the motor vehicle seat3.

The occupant restraint device1may protect an occupant P in the motor vehicle seat3. More particularly, the occupant may be protected from an application of force from the exterior space A to the outer side2aof the supporting structure2along a direction that includes at least one component along the transverse axis y of the vehicle. Similar applications of force usually occur in the event of a side crash, where a collision object (for example a motor vehicle) collides with a lateral body such as the outer side2aof the supporting structure2, of the motor vehicle.

In order to protect the occupant P, the occupant restraint device1includes an airbag4that may be inflated with gas from a gas generator9. The airbag4and the gas generator9, which is connected in a gas conducting manner to the airbag4, may be arranged in a receptacle5. The receptacle5may be designed as a rigid housing, with the exception of one housing side that faces the vehicle front along the longitudinal axis x of the vehicle and may be designed as a flexible, openable region6. The openable region6may tear when the airbag4, upon inflation, presses against the openable region6.

The motor vehicle seat3may include a seat back10. The seat back10may form a bearing surface11for the back of an occupant P correctly occupying the motor vehicle seat3. Additionally, a backrest frame14may be included as a stiffening body. Along the longitudinal axis x of the vehicle, a side cheek12may project beyond the bearing surface11on a border region of the seat back10. The border region may face the supporting structure2such that the side cheek12may be arranged at least in some sections along the transverse axis y of the vehicle between the body side P′ of the occupant P and the supporting structure2. Therefore, a body side P′ of the occupant P may be supported with the body side facing the supporting structure2.

The receptacle5may be mounted on the backrest frame14of the motor vehicle seat3in a linearly displaceable manner along a direction of movement B such that the receptacle can be moved from an inoperative position into an operative position. In the inoperative position, the receptacle5may be arranged completely within the seat back10of the motor vehicle seat3. In the operative position, the receptacle5may be coupled mechanically to the supporting structure2by pressing against the inner side2bof the supporting structure2along the direction of movement B. Thus, an intrusion and therefore a blocking of the absorption path B″ (along the direction of movement B) may be opposed when a collision object with a movement component along the transverse axis y of the vehicle strikes from the exterior space A on the outer side2aof the supporting structure2. Additionally, when shifting into the operative position, the receptacle5may press against the inner side2bof the supporting structure2such that a force is introduced into the motor vehicle seat3along a direction of force B′ counter to the direction of movement B. The force may displace the motor vehicle seat toward the interior along the direction of force B′. The direction of force B′ runs parallel to the transverse axis y of the vehicle. Therefore, the effective absorption path B″ is extended in order to protect the occupant P.

During movement from the inoperative position into the operative position, the bearing side5aof the housing5may abut against the inner side2bof the supporting structure. The bearing side5amay be of stable design such that good mechanical coupling to the supporting structure2is possible. In the inoperative position, the bearing side5amay be embedded flush into the outer side3athat faces the supporting structure2of the motor vehicle seat3or the seat back10.

Furthermore, as a result of displacement of the receptacle5into the operative position, the openable region6may be positioned along the direction of movement B between the supporting structure2and the motor vehicle seat3. Thus, the airbag4can be deployed freely (without obstruction) in the straight ahead direction of travel through the openable region6(that is opened) in order to protect the occupant P against a penetrating collision object.

A pre-crash detection device7may be included, allowing for the movement of the receptacle5to take place in a short amount of time. The pre-crash detection device may interact with a movement generating device8that moves the receptacle5from the inoperative position into the operative position and with the gas generator9.

When the pre-crash detection device7identifies an imminent side crash, the pre-crash detection device7may generate a first output signal. The first output signal may trigger the movement generating device8. The movement generating device8may then move the receptacle5from the inoperative position into the operative position. When a second output signal of the pre-crash detection device7is generated, the gas generator9may be fired, thereby deploying the airbag4from the receptacle5that is in the operative position. If the foreseen side crash can be averted, the pre-crash detection device7may generate a third output signal that triggers a movement of the receptacle5from the operative position into the inoperative position.

FIG. 2shows a movement generating device8in detail. For the linearly displaceable mounting of the receptacle5on the backrest frame14, the receptacle includes a support element5b. The support element5b, when in the inoperative position, is prestressed against the backrest frame14by a tensioned spring13such that a relaxation movement of the spring13shifts the receptacle5(together with the support5b) along the direction of movement B toward the supporting structure2.

To lock the receptacle5in the inoperative position, a first locking element15may be included. The first locking element15may be mounted on the support5bsuch that the first locking element15may pivot between a first and a second position. In the first position, the first locking element15may engage with a recess14aof the backrest frame14. The recess may absorb the force that prestresses the spring13along the direction of movement B against the support5b. In order to pivot the first locking element15into the second position, a magnetic coil16may be included. In the second position, the locking element15may release the support5bsuch that the spring13can displace the receptacle5into the operative position. When the first signal of the pre-crash detection device7is received, the magnetic coil16may press a pin16aagainst the first locking element15such that the first locking element15may disengage the recess14aof the backrest frame14. Furthermore, the receptacle5may be guided on the backrest frame14in a longitudinally displaceable manner along the direction of movement B via the support5b. Thus, a controlled shifting of the receptacle5in the direction of the supporting structure2is possible.

During the shifting of the receptacle5into the operative position, a collision object may intrude into the supporting structure2and act against the receptacle5. Thus, the receptacle5may be displaced back into the inoperative position counter to the direction of movement B. Therefore, a second locking element17may be included to prevent the receptacle5from being displaced back into the inoperative position. The second locking element17may be designed as a pivotable lever that may be mounted pivotably on the support5b. When the receptacle5moves from the inoperative position into the operative position, the second locking element17may be prestressed against a region18of the backrest frame14extending along the transverse axis y of the vehicle and can slide along the backrest frame14. The second locking element17may slide along the region18thereby latching into recesses19that are provided along the region18. The recesses19may be designed such that the second locking element17automatically disengages from the recesses19during movement in the direction of the operating position. Additionally, each of the recesses19may act as an abutment for the support5bof the receptacle5when the support is subjected to a force (intruding collision object) counter to the direction of movement B. Furthermore, the support5bmay be connected to the second locking element17. More particularly, during the movement of the support5bcounter to the direction of movement B, the second locking element17may latch into a recess19of the region18. Thus, the second locking element17can no longer be disengaged from the recess19unless a force oriented transverse to the direction of movement B pivots the second locking element17out of the recess19. Additionally, a separate actuator may be included to prevent the second locking element17from being pivoted out of the recess19.

A plurality of similar recesses19may be formed on the region18of the backrest frame14and along the entire movement path of the support5bin the direction of movement B. Therefore, the second locking element17may find a recess19along the entire movement path when an intruding collision object acts on the receptacle5counter to the direction of movement B.

An occupant restraint device for a motor vehicle is disclosed herein. According to an embodiment the device includes a supporting structure of the motor vehicle including an outer side facing an exterior space of the motor vehicle and an inner side facing an interior of the motor vehicle. According to alternative embodiments, the supporting structure may include one or more of the following motor vehicle parts: a lateral body region, a lateral motor vehicle door, and a motor vehicle pillar. The device includes a motor vehicle seat including an outer side facing the inner side of the supporting structure. The device also includes an airbag configured to deploy to restrain an occupant upon an application of force on the outer side of the supporting structure from the exterior space. A receptacle of the airbag may be arranged on the outer side of the motor vehicle seat, and the receptacle includes an openable region through which the airbag can be deployed into the interior of the motor vehicle. The device includes a pre-crash detection device for identifying an imminent application of force on the outer side of the supporting structure from the exterior space. The pre-crash detection device is configured so that, upon identifying an imminent application of force, the detection device triggers a shifting of the receptacle from an inoperative position into an operative position along a direction of movement between the outer side of the motor vehicle seat and the inner side of the supporting structure.

According to another embodiment of the device, the receptacle may be mounted on the motor vehicle seat in a linearly displaceable manner along the direction of movement for shifting from the inoperative position into the operative position. The motor vehicle seat may include a seat back that forms a bearing surface for the back of an occupant of the motor vehicle seat. According to this embodiment, the receptacle may be mounted in the seat back in a linearly displaceable manner along the direction of movement for shifting from the inoperative position into the operative position such that the receptacle is concealed in the inoperative position by an outermost covering of the seat back. Also, the seat back may include a side cheek that protrudes over the bearing surface of the seat back transverse to the direction of movement and is arranged along the direction of movement between an occupant of the motor vehicle seat and the supporting structure, the side cheek being configured to support a body side of the occupant that faces the supporting structure.

According to another embodiment, the restraint device may include a movement generating device configured to interact with the pre-crash detection device and configured to move the receptacle from the inoperative position into the operative position when the pre-crash device identifies an imminent application of force. The movement generating device may include a spring to generate the movement of the receptacle from the inoperative position into the operative position, a relaxation movement of the spring generating the movement of the receptacle.

According to another embodiment, the motor vehicle seat includes a backrest frame as a basic body of a seat back. The receptacle may be mounted on the backrest frame in a linearly displaceable manner along the direction of movement for shifting from the inoperative position into the operative position. In the inoperative position of the receptacle, the aforementioned spring of the movement generating device may be configured to pre-stress the receptacle against the backrest frame such that during a relaxation movement of the spring the receptacle is shifted along the direction of movement into the operative position. The device may include a first locking element movable between a first and second position. When the first locking element is in the first position a relaxation movement of the spring is prevented and when the first locking element moves into the second position the spring is released to thereby move the receptacle from the inoperative position into the operative position by the spring. The first locking element may be mounted on the receptacle such that the first locking element is pivotable between the first and the second position.

The restraint device may include a second movement generating device configured to interact with the pre-crash detection device and to pivot the first locking element from the first position to the second position to release the spring when the pre-crash detection device identifies an imminent application of force to the outer side of the supporting structure. The device may also include a second locking element configured to slide along a region of the backrest frame during the movement of the receptacle between the inoperative position and the operative position, the second locking element being pre-stressed against the region of the backrest frame so that the second locking element can enter into engagement with at least one recess formed in the region of the backrest frame as the second locking element slides along the region of the backrest frame. The at least one recess may be configured to form an abutment for the receptacle, the abutment absorbing the forces acting on the receptacle counter to the direction of movement so the receptacle cannot be displaced counter to the direction of movement when the second locking element is in engagement with the at least one recess. The restraint device may include a plurality of recesses are formed in the region of the backrest frame, the second locking element capable of engaging the plurality of recesses as the second locking element slides along the region of the backrest frame. According to one embodiment, the second locking element may be a lever that is pivotable between a first and second position, the lever not in engagement with the at least one recess when in the first position and in engagement with the at least one recess when in the second position, the lever being pre-stressed in the direction of the second position when in the first position.

The priority application, German Patent Application No. 10 2005 062 849.4, filed Dec. 23, 2005 including the specification, drawings, claims and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Given the disclosure of the application, one versed in the art would appreciate that there may be other embodiments and modifications within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, all modifications attainable by one versed in the art from the present disclosure within the scope and spirit of the present application are to be included as further embodiments of the present application. The scope of the present application is to be defined as set forth in the following claims.