Abstract:
Method and device for protecting a person ( 2 ) traveling in a vehicle ( 1 ) by applying a protective arrangement the inside of the roof ( 4 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ). The inside of the roof ( 4 ) is equipped with an inner roof structure ( 5 ) in a place where the head ( 3 ) of the person ( 2 ) traveling in the vehicle is expected to make an impact in the event of an accident. The inner roof structure ( 5 ) is designed to guide the head ( 3 ) so that a flexion of the neck ( 6 ) of the person ( 2 ) traveling in the vehicle is initiated essentially simultaneously with the impact between the head ( 3 ) and the inside of the roof ( 4 ) during the accident. The device gives an improved protection of a person traveling in a vehicle ( 1 ), especially against head and neck injuries that occur when a person&#39;s head hits the inside of the roof ( 4 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This is a continuation patent application of International Application Number PCT/SE99/02056 filed Nov. 12, 1999 that designates the United States. The full disclosure of said application, in its entirety, is hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Technical Field  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a device for the protection of a person traveling in a vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to a protective element that is fitted to the inside of the roof of a motor vehicle in order to prevent head and neck injuries to a person traveling in the vehicle in the case of certain types of accidents.  
           [0004]    2. Prior Art  
           [0005]    Many different arrangement are used in modern motor vehicles, such as automobiles, in order to protect the drivers and passengers in the event of a collision and other types of accidents. In addition to safety belts and air bags, which are based on well-tested technology, some more sophisticated systems have been developed in recent years, such as side air bags, to protect the driver and passengers in the event of lateral collisions.  
           [0006]    Certain accidents involve a risk of persons in the vehicle hitting their heads on the inside of the roof. One example of such accidents is when the car overturns. Another example is when a vehicle traveling at high speed hits something on the road that protrudes a relatively great distance from the road surface or when the vehicle veers off into a ditch, for example. The result of this may be that the persons traveling in the vehicle hit their heads either on the inside of the roof or on the side portions of the roof frame, which are normally connected to the roof and run basically parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In a bad accident, this can cause serious injuries to the head, neck or shoulder of the persons traveling in the vehicle. The situation is the same in the case of certain types of injuries sustained when diving into water, where severe head and neck injuries can occur from hitting a hard object below the surface of the water.  
           [0007]    It is a known protective measure to provide an inflatable air bag that is arranged on the inside of the roof of the vehicle. This device is fitted for damping the force with which a person&#39;s head hits the inside of the roof. This device can reduce the risk of head and neck injuries to drivers and passengers. However, it should be pointed out that this device is a rather bulky and expensive solution.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0008]    The aim of the present invention is to provide an improved device for the protection of persons traveling in a vehicle in the event of an accident in which they hit their heads on the inside of the roof of the vehicle.  
           [0009]    The invention relates to a method and device for the protection of persons traveling in a vehicle. In the structural embodiment, the device is fitted to the inside of the roof of the vehicle. The invention is characterized in that the part of the roof that is expected to come into contact with a person&#39;s head during an accident is equipped with an inner root structure that guides the head in such a way that a bending (flexion) of the neck is initiated essentially simultaneously with the impact between the head and the inside of the roof during the accident.  
           [0010]    The invention is based on the fact that, according to recent medical experience relating to diving and ice hockey accidents, the effect of a compressive force against the vertex or crown of the head and acting axially on the head and through the neck, is less likely to cause serious injury in such an impact if the neck is bent at the same time. More specifically, it can be stated that the degree of neck injury depends on several factors including: the angle of impact, the distance from the vertex of the head (i.e., the point on the head where an imaginary extension of the neck would intersect the head), and the properties of the material where the impact takes place. It can be stated that the injury occurs most frequently and is most serious when the impact is basically vertical to the vertex of the head. It can also be stated that a compressive force acting on the head that results in the flexion of the head and neck gives the lowest frequency of neck injuries. It can therefore be concluded that a combined flexion and compression exerted on the head produce considerably less damage than a compressive force acting alone. In addition, in the case of such a combined flexion and compression, the neck absorbs more energy before damage occurs than in the case when only a compressive force is acting.  
           [0011]    The aim of the invention is to provide a means or mechanism for guiding a person&#39;s head during an accident in such a way that a flexion of the neck is initiated essentially simultaneously with an axial impact between the head and the inside of the roof of the vehicle. According to the invention, the flexion of the neck is mainly initiated forwards (in relation to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle) or sideways.  
           [0012]    The invention provides several advantages. First of all, it considerably reduces the risk of serious head or neck injuries to persons traveling in a vehicle. More specifically, it significantly reduces the neck component of the force measured at the occipital point, where the base of the skull is joined to the uppermost cervical vertebra. This in turn reduces the risk of serious head and neck injuries.  
           [0013]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inside of the roof is fitted with a first layer of material, which is essentially rigid, and a second layer of material, which absorbs energy, as a result of which a flexion of the person&#39;s neck is initiated during an impact involving the head. The fact that the second layer of material absorbs energy has the advantage that it can absorb a large part of the energy that is released when a person&#39;s head hits the roof.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The invention is explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and the figures, in which:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view showing the main function of the invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a cross section of the inner roof construction according to the invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a cross section showing the structure according to the invention slightly enlarged compared to FIG. 2;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is diagrammatic side elevational view showing the function of the invention  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a simplified plan view showing a vehicle fitted with a number of protective elements according to the invention; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a protective element configured according to the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 shows a simplified side view of a vehicle fitted with a device configured according to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the device is used in a vehicle  1  such as a car or automobile. FIG. 1 shows a driver  2  sitting in the driving seat of the vehicle  1 . As usual, the driver  2  is sitting, while driving, in such a way that his or her head  3  is at a certain distance from the inside of the roof  4  of the car  1 . In this context, the term “inside of the roof” is intended to comprise or include the whole roof construction, including the side portions of the roof frame, though not shown, but which normally run basically in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle  1 .  
         [0022]    As previously mentioned, in certain types of accident, such as, for example, a roll-over situation, when the vehicle rotates around its longitudinal axis, there is a risk that the head  3  of the driver  2  will be pushed against the inside of the roof  4  with great force. In a serious accident, this can cause damage to the driver&#39;s head and neck if the head  3  of the driver  2  hits the roof  4  with great force.  
         [0023]    One of the fundamental principles behind the present invention is that the inside of the roof  4  includes a structure  5  that is specially designed to guide the head  3  of the driver  2  under the abovementioned accident conditions in such a way that a flexion of the neck  6  of the driver  2  is initiated at the same time as his or her head  3  hits the inside of the inside of roof  4 . For this purpose, the device is designed in a first embodiment so that the inside of the roof is equipped with a structure  5  consisting of a first layer of material, which is nearest the head  3  of the driver  2  and which is made of a relatively hard and rigid material. A second layer of material lies above the first layer and is made of an energy-absorbing and elastic material. This embodiment is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2, which is a somewhat enlarged partial view of the inside of the roof  4 . The first layer  4   a  consists of a protective and impact-absorbing material that is relatively rigid and can therefore prevent the driver&#39;s head from being pressed into the inside of the roof during an accident of the type in question.  
         [0024]    It should be noted that, although FIG. 1 shows only the driver  2  of the vehicle fitted with a device according to the invention, this device can be used for protecting all persons traveling in a car  1 , depending on which parts of the inside of the roof  4  are accordingly equipped.  
         [0025]    In a typical application in a car  1 , the first layer  4   a  is about 2-3 mm thick and consists of a hard plastic, a composite material, or a material with similar properties. The second layer  4   b  consists of an energy-absorbing material fitted to absorb the energy released in the impact of the head  3  of the driver  2  in an accident of the type in question. More specifically, the second layer of material  4   b  is intended to be compressible by about 20-40 mm, and preferably by about 25 mm in the axial direction; that is, along an imaginary line that runs basically along the spine and neck  6  of a person traveling in the vehicle  1 .  
         [0026]    Above the second layer of material  4   b  lies the vehicle&#39;s roof proper  7 , which is typically made of pressed steel plate. In this embodiment, the second layer of material  4   b  is firmly fixed to the roof  7  so that it cannot be displaced with respect to the latter.  
         [0027]    In the event that the head  3  of the driver  2  is involved in an impact in the axial direction; that is, along the imaginary line running through the spine and neck  6  of the driver  2 , a flexion of the neck  6  is initiated essentially simultaneously with the occurrence of the axial force being exerted on the head  3 . For this purpose, the first layer of material  4   a  is made sufficiently rigid to prevent the head  3  from being pressed firmly and being “locked” against movement, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and instead, allows the neck  6  to bend. The energy-absorbing second layer  4   b , on the other hand, ensures that the first layer  4   a  can be displaced somewhat so that the driver&#39;s head is displaced to the same extent.  
         [0028]    As described later in greater detail, the two layers  4   a  and  4   b  are preferably arranged in such a way that displacement occurs in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, but displacement in a direction that is different from the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is also possible.  
         [0029]    To permit the displacement of the first layer  4   a , and also to initiate flexion of the driver&#39;s neck, the first layer  4   a  is fitted in an inner roof structure  5  with a suitable connector or means of connection  8  that allows a relative movement of the first layer  4   a  in relation to the inner roof structure  5 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 shows the construction of the device according to the first embodiment of the invention in greater detail. More specifically, it shows that the second layer  4   b  consists of a number of strip-like and/or rod-like elements  9  that extend essentially transversely to the direction in which the driver&#39;s head is to be guided. In one embodiment, the strips  9  are arranged essentially at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the strips  9  are inserted into an upper fixing layer  10  and lie at an oblique angle to that layer  10 . The strips  9  are angled backwards in relation to the front of the vehicle as is indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3.  
         [0031]    The lower part of the strips  9  is fixed with a clip  11  or a similar component in which the lower part of each strip  9  can move. The clips  11  are each firmly connected to a bottom fixing layer  12  that forms part of the second layer of material  4   b , as does also the top fixing layer  10 . In this way, the strips  9  are firmly held in the normal state; that is, when no force is acting on them. Alternatively, the strips  9  can be fixed to the second layer  4   b  in a different way, for example by casting them securely both with the top fixing layer  10  and with the bottom fixing layer  12 .  
         [0032]    To ensure an energy-absorbing effect in the second layer  4   b , the strips  9  are made of an elastic, plastic or other similar flexible material.  
         [0033]    The broken lines in FIG. 3 show how a strip  9 ″ bends as it absorbs energy, which happens when it comes into contact with the first layer  4   a . The strips  9  are deflected upwards to assume a higher position, indicated by  9 ″, because of the arrangement of the clips  11 ,  11 ″. In the event of such contact, which can come about in accidents of the types previously described, the first layer  4   a  is subjected to a compressive force, which is then transferred to the second layer  4   b . Since the strips  9  are angled, the first layer  4   a  is guided so that it is displaced by a certain distance in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3 as the strips  9  bend. This normally means in the direction toward the front of the vehicle. The invention, however, is not limited to a movement in this direction, but can permit a relative displacement in principle in any direction, depending on the orientation of the strips  9 . As a result, the head of the person in question is guided so that his or her neck is bent to some extent, simultaneously with the action of an axial force. This reduces the risk of serious head and neck injuries in accidents causing head contact with the vehicle&#39;s interior roof.  
         [0034]    In this way, the invention is based on equipping the inside of the roof  4  with an inner roof structure  5  that includes a guiding element in the form of two layers  4   a  and  4   b , placed essentially directly above the head  3  of the person  2 ; that is, where an impact can be expected in the event of an accident. These layers are sufficiently rigid to permit a flexion of the person&#39;s neck  6  in the event of an impact. The layers of material also have energy-absorbing properties, in order to permit the flexion of the neck  6  of the person  2  to be initiated essentially simultaneously with the impact between the head  3  and the inside of the roof  4 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 4 shows the principle of the displacement of a person&#39;s head  3  according to the present invention. When the person&#39;s head  3  experiences an impact, the first layer  4   a  is initially acted on in the axial direction, such as in the direction defined by an imaginary line through the person&#39;s head and neck. At essentially the same time, the first layer  4   a  begins to be displaced in the direction in which its displacement is allowed by the structure of the second layer  4   b  as is described in connection with FIG. 3. In the embodiment illustrated, the first layer  4   a  is displaced somewhat towards the front of the vehicle  1 . At the same time, energy is absorbed by the second layer  4   b . As illustrated by the broken lines, this results in a displacement of the person&#39;s head  3 ″ across a certain distance. At this stage, the first layer  4 ″ a  is also displaced a certain distance forwards. The device, mechanism or means configured according to the present invention is preferably arranged so that it permits a displacement of the first layer  4   a ,  4 ″ a  through a distance of the order of magnitude of 50 mm.  
         [0036]    In accordance with the present invention, the inner roof structure may be designed as a separate protective element that is fitted to the inside of the roof of a vehicle in a position where a person&#39;s head is expected to hit the roof in the event of an accident or other incident causing behavior as described hereinabove. This principle is described with reference to FIG. 5, which shows a view from above of a vehicle  1  in which according to the invention can be used. In particular, the inner roof structure  5 ″ can be designed with a number of such protective elements  5 ″ a ,  5 ″ b ,  5 ″ c ,  5 ″ d  and  5 ″ e , which are then positioned in areas corresponding to the places where the persons traveling in the vehicle are expected to sit. Thus, the figure shows the first protective element  5 ″ a  intended for the driver of the vehicle  1 , a second protective element  5 ″ b  intended for a passenger sitting next to the driver of the vehicle  1 , and three other protective element  5 ″ c ,  5 ″ d  and  5 ″ e  intended for passengers sitting in the back of the vehicle  1 . The first protective element  5 ″ a , for example, is intended to protect the driver from an impact of his or her head  3  against the inside of the roof.  
         [0037]    The invention is not limited to the use of these protective elements  5 ″ in any particular number in the vehicle  1 , but instead these elements can be fitted optionally for example over two, four or five seats for persons traveling in the vehicle  1 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a protective element  5 ″ according to the invention that is designed so that it can be fitted to an existing roof of a vehicle. The figure shows a number of strips  9  which correspond to the strips illustrated in FIG. 3.  
         [0039]    In an alternative embodiment of the invention which is not shown in the figures, the inner roof structure can be designed with a single layer of material, whose surface nearest the person traveling in the vehicle has very low friction. This layer is also relatively rigid, so that it prevents the person&#39;s head from being “locked” against the roof, which could happen if the layer of material bent inwards. Instead, this alternative embodiment allows and encourages the head to slide on the surface of the layer of material, so that the neck is bent on the impact of the head, due to the low friction. As a result, the aim of the invention is achieved in this alternative as well; that is, the head is guided forward and the neck is flexed substantially simultaneously with the impact between the head and the inside of the roof in an accident of the type being considered.  
         [0040]    The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures, but can be modified within the scope of the following claims. For example, the invention can be used with various kinds of vehicles such as cars and lorries.  
         [0041]    The invention is not limited in principle to the use in conjunction with a roof, but permits its use on any surface on which a person can hit his or her head in a vehicle. For example, the device according to the invention can be used on the side portions of the roof frame and other vertical or horizontal surfaces.  
         [0042]    In addition, the invention is not limited to the initiation of a flexion of a person&#39;s neck in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; that is, in the direction of the front of the vehicle. Such a flexion of the neck can also be brought about in a sideways or backward direction.