Patent Application
20150217719
This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 102014001305.7 filed Jan. 31, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to an airbag module for protecting a pedestrian during a collision with a vehicle.
Apart from airbags for protecting passengers, some motor vehicles now include airbags that offer an effective impact protection during a collision with a pedestrian. In case of a collision, the unfolded cushion of the airbag covers areas of the vehicle which the pedestrian would hit during a collision. For example, the airbag modules are situated in the area of the front hood of a motor vehicle, so that when an airbag is deployed, the cushions unfold in the direction of the A-pillars as well as the lower area of the front windshield, thereby providing a pedestrian with effective impact protection. It turns out that the measures previously implemented to afford pedestrians protection during a collision take up a relatively large amount of space, and thereby make installation underneath the front hood of a motor vehicle more difficult. It also turns out that effective pedestrian protection is relatively costly, since previous airbag systems are technically complex and expensive.
Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a device that enables a cost-effective protection for a pedestrian in the event of a collision with a vehicle. At the same time, the device is to be compact in design prior to its activation, thereby enabling a space-saving accommodation, for example in the area underneath the front hood of a vehicle.
An airbag module for protecting a pedestrian during a collision with a vehicle has two opposing flat sides and at least one connecting section for installing the airbag module in the area of a vehicle component in such a way that one of the flat sides faces or abuts against the vehicle component. For example, the vehicle component can be a front hood, so that, in the installed state or in the installed position of the airbag module, one of the flat sides or the one of the flat sides faces the front hood, for example the bottom side of the front hood. The flat sides can include an essentially flat surface or consist thereof The flat sides can also contain a curved surface or consist thereof In particular, at least one of the flat sides can include a contour that essentially corresponds to the front hood in the installation area.
It is provided that an inflatable cushion and a gas generator for inflating the cushion are arranged between the flat sides. In particular, the cushion is located between the flat sides in a packed state when the cushion is, for example, folded. It is further provided that the cushion and gas generator lie one behind the other in the direction in which at least one of the flat sides extends. Additionally or alternatively, it is provided that the cushion and gas generator lie one behind the other in the direction of an axis lying in a plane that runs spaced apart from one of the flat sides.
As a result, the airbag module is realized with a compact overall size prior to its activation. In particular, the airbag module can be realized with a relatively slight distance between the flat sides, and hence in a flat manner. The airbag module is especially suitable for installation in the bottom side of the front hood of a vehicle, in particular since the airbag module has a compact design in the direction toward the interior of the motor vehicle lying underneath the front hood.
It is favorable beyond that for installation to take place on the left-hand side and also on the right-hand side in the area of the vehicle component, for example the front hood, since use can be made of identically designed airbag modules of the kind described above. This avoids the unfavorable installation situation in which the gas generator lies above the cushion given an installation on the right-hand side, and the gas generator lies under the cushion given an installation on the left-hand side, for example. By using just a single airbag module design, a collision protection means for a pedestrian can be inexpensively realized.
Additionally or alternatively, it is provided that the flat sides are designed symmetrically to each other in relation to a plane lying between the flat sides. This plane can be the plane described above.
This makes it easy to manufacture the airbag module. There are also advantages in terms of installing the airbag module, which can be brought into an installation position both with the one flat side and with the other flat side, facing in the direction of the vehicle component, in particular made to abut against the vehicle component.
Using an airbag module with such a design makes sense especially if the vehicle requires at least two airbag modules for pedestrian protection, and the airbag modules must be secured to areas of a vehicle component that are geometrically identical or essentially identical to each other. Identically designed airbag modules of the kind described above can then be used. For example, this facilitates an installation on the left-hand side and also on the right-hand side in the area of the front hood.
An especially compact structural design of the airbag module is achieved in one embodiment by having the plane run essentially parallel to at least one of the flat sides. For example, the plane can include the central plane between the flat sides.
An embodiment in which the gas generator with a central axis and the cushion with a central axis lie in the plane is also geared toward achieving a compact structural design. Because the plane forms the central plane between the flat sides, and the gas generator and cushion each lie with a central axis in the plane, the airbag module includes a geometrically simple shape when installed, which is easy and cost-effective to realize, and can be readily accommodated, for example in the area of the front hood of a motor vehicle.
An embodiment provides that the at least one connecting section lies in the plane, in particular the central plane. As a result, the airbag module can be flexibly installed. The airbag module can be easily built in with its one flat side facing in the direction of the vehicle component, as well as with its other flat side facing in the direction of the vehicle component.
In another embodiment, this type of installation is facilitated in particular by providing at least two connecting sections, which laterally protrude opposite each other from the airbag module, and each lie in the plane.
It is also conceivable that the at least one connecting section extend orthogonally to the plane. The airbag module can be flexibly installed in this case as well. In like manner, the airbag module can be easily built in with its one flat side facing in the direction of the vehicle component, as well as with its other flat side facing in the direction of the vehicle component, in particular when two such connecting elements are provided, which together lie in a plane situated orthogonally to the plane.
The flat sides can be formed by external sides of a housing, for example which incorporates the gas generator and cushion. The connecting section or connecting sections can be secured to the housing, in particular molded thereto, and protrude from the housing, for example.
Another embodiment provides that the airbag module includes an opening, which is situated in such a way that, when the airbag module is activated, the cushion exits the opening essentially in a direction along one of the flat sides. This facilitates the deployment of the cushion in the event of a crash, so that the cushion can rapidly and specifically unfold into those areas of the motor vehicle against which the impacted pedestrian is to be protected. For example, the opening can be arranged on a side in between the surfaces, in particular a narrow side.
The compact structural design of the airbag module is facilitated in one embodiment by situating the opening in such a way that the direction in which the cushion exits runs essentially in the direction in which the at least one flat side extends, along which the gas generator and cushion lie one behind the other.
For example, the opening can be situated in such a way that the direction in which the cushion exits runs essentially transverse to the direction in which the at least one flat side extends, along which the gas generator and cushion lie one behind the other. In particular, the direction in which the cushion exits runs essentially transverse to the direction of the axis, along which the gas generator and cushion lie one behind the other, and essentially lies in the plane in which the axis is located.
Another embodiment provides that the cushion has an L-shape when inflated. As a result, the cushion is specifically already designed with a shape which, once the airbag module is activated, can cover the areas of a motor vehicle that are especially affected, which impact the pedestrian in the event of a collision. The L-shape thus realizes a geometry that is especially effective during a crash at a relatively low material usage for the cushion. The relatively low material usage yields cost advantages. This measure also helps to reduce the weight of the entire airbag module.
For example, one embodiment involves having the cushion include the kind of L-shape when inflated in which one leg of the L-shaped cushion can cover an A-pillar, and the other leg can cover a section of the windshield, in particular a lower section of the windshield.
An airbag system encompassed by the present disclosure for protecting a pedestrian during a collision with a vehicle includes at least two airbag modules, each with an inflatable cushion and a gas generator for inflating the cushion. In particular, the airbag system includes at least two airbag modules, which have an identical structural design. The respective airbag module can be an airbag module of the kind described above.
In one embodiment of the airbag system, the airbag modules are arranged in the area of the front hood of a vehicle, so that when inflated, they cover the A-pillars and at least partially a section of the windshield of the vehicle, in particular a lower section. As a result, if a pedestrian hits the vehicle and the airbag system is triggered, the relevant areas of the motor vehicle are covered by the cushions, thereby effectively protecting the pedestrian.
The airbag system can be realized in a technically simple manner in one embodiment by situating the airbag modules in the area of the front hood of a vehicle in such a way that, once inflated, the cushions of the airbag modules lie essentially axially symmetrical in relation to the bisector of the windshield of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This mirror-imaged arrangement of airbags relative to each other especially facilitates the use of two airbag modules with the same design. As a consequence, the airbag modules can be realized as identical parts. Installation can take place in such a way that the airbag modules face each other. This makes it especially cost-effective to realize the airbag system. This also simplifies the assembly of the airbag system, since the same respective assembly steps are to be implemented for both the one airbag module and the other airbag module.
In addition, the present disclosure encompasses a front hood for a motor vehicle. Such a front hood has at least one airbag system of the kind described above, specifically with two airbag modules of the kind described above, in particular at least two airbag modules of the kind described above that are structurally identical to each other. An embodiment can provide that the airbag modules be located underneath the front hood. For example, the airbag modules can be laterally situated, for example by arranging one of the airbag modules on the left-hand side and the other airbag module on the right-hand side in the area of the front hood, e.g., underneath the front hood. Also possible is to situate the airbag modules in the area of the front hood, in particular underneath the front hood, which faces the windshield of the vehicle.
It is conceivable to mount the airbag modules on the lower side of the front hood. This allows a mechanic to easily and quickly secure the airbag modules to the front hood.
It can also be provided that the airbag modules are situated inside a hollow space formed on the lower side of the front hood. The hollow space can be formed by a reinforcing structure, for example, which is continuously situated on the lower side of the front hood, and serves to reinforce or stiffen the front hood, for example.
By incorporating the airbag modules inside the hollow space, they are brought into a protected location, and thereby protected against disruptive effects from outside, for example mechanical disruptive influences.
It makes sense for the airbag modules to be secured with one of the flat sides on the lower side or with one of the flat sides facing the lower side. As a result, the airbag modules are compactly situated in the direction of the normal of the front hood, so that the airbag modules in the vehicle only project slightly into the space underneath the motor hood, or not at all.
To the extent that the airbag modules are arranged inside the hollow space of a continuous reinforcing structure, and the reinforcing structure runs angularly, for example at least in the area of the airbag modules, the airbag modules can correspondingly include an angular outer contour, or be present in a correspondingly angular-shaped housing of the airbag module.
The present disclosure further encompasses a motor vehicle with at least one airbag module of the kind described above and/or with an airbag system of the kind described above and/or with a front hood of the kind described above.
The present disclosure proposes an airbag module and airbag system having a flat structural design. Furthermore, the airbag modules are suitable both installation on both the left-hand side and right-hand side of a motor vehicle. Weight can be economized The cost outlay is also reduced through the high level of component integration achieved by the present disclosure. The assembly process is also simplified. In addition, the present disclosure results in an improved kinematics during airbag deployment.
The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure or the application and uses of the present disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.
The airbag system 200 includes two airbag modules 1 and 1′, which each have an inflatable cushion 5 and a (not shown on
The storage space 11 is preferably situated in the area of one side of the front hood 110, wherein the cushion 5 of the respective airbag module 1 or 1′ is preferably filled by the accompanying gas generator. It is basically also possible that the cushions 5 of the airbag module 1 and 1′ be filled by a shared gas generator. The airbag modules 1 and 1′ are preferably structurally identical airbag modules, which in the embodiment according to
The airbag module la can be situated in a hollow space 170, which is formed by a reinforcing structure 180 arranged on the lower side 160 of the front hood 110, for example. The reinforcing structure 180 can include an opening 12 on the side facing the windshield 140, for example, which can be closed by at least one closing means 13 or 14. The at least one closing means 13 or 14 can include two pivoting flaps, which can be swiveled outwardly. For example, the flaps can each includes a swiveling axis 19 and 20, which lies in a plane, for example, that lies essentially parallel to the plane 8 with the axis 7 and/or essentially parallel to at least one of the flat sides 3 and 4. When the airbag module 1a is activated, this causes the flaps 13 to 14 to outwardly open, wherein the one flap 13 is swiveled against the lower side 160 of the front hood 110, and the other flap 14 swivels in the opposite direction. The respective flaps or closing means 13 and 14 can be provided with sealing means, so as to tightly seal the opening 12 in the closed state.
The airbag module 1b according to
The connecting sections 2 can each includes at least one through opening 21, so that connecting means can be used to secure, in particular bolt, the airbag 1b module thereto, for example against a component of the vehicle, e.g., in the area of the front hood.
The central axis 9 of the gas generator 5 and central axis 10 of the cushion 5 preferably lie in the plane 8, wherein the plane 8 preferably includes the central plane between the flat sides 3 and 4.
As further evident from
The airbag module 1f has two opposing flat sides 3′ and 4′, between which are situated an inflatable cushion (not shown on
The flat sides 3′ and 4′ are designed symmetrically to each other in relation to a plane lying between the flat sides 3′ and 4′, specifically the plane 8 already described above, which is preferably the central plane. For example, the flat sides 3′ and 4′ include a contour corresponding to the vehicle component, which can have a curved design.
In particular, the flat slides 3′, 4′ include the external sides of a housing 22. Connecting sections 23, 24 can be secured, in particular molded, thereto. The connecting sections 23 and 24 each preferably lie in the plane 8, and laterally protrude outwardly from the housing 22, for example. The connecting sections 23 and 24 each include fastening points 25, 26. The fastening points 25 of the one connecting section 23 can be configured differently than the fastening points 26 of the other connecting section 24. It is also conceivable that the fastening points 25, 26 on the respective connecting section 23 or 24 be identically configured.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment is only an example, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102014001305.7 | Jan 2014 | DE | national |
