DE102007001767B4 - Safety device for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Safety device for a motor vehicle with means for energy absorption to protect an occupant (102) and with an impact surface (100; 200) for the occupant, the impact surface being arranged reversibly movable in the direction of the occupant by an electromechanical drive (104; 212), thereby characterized in that the drive is designed to be used for energy absorption in generator mode to convert acceleration energy of the occupant (102) acting on the impact surface (100; 200) into electrical energy.

Description

The invention relates to a safety device for a motor vehicle with means for energy absorption for the protection of an occupant, and a glove box for a motor vehicle with means for energy absorption for the protection of an occupant, and a method for energy absorption for protecting an occupant by a safety device of a motor vehicle.

Various safety devices for motor vehicles are known from the prior art, which serve to protect occupants from injury in the event of an impact on an obstacle. Basically, a distinction is made between active and passive protection systems. The active systems are mostly airbags, whereas the passive systems are mostly deformation parts made of foam, metal or plastic, through which energy is dissipated by deformation upon impact of the occupant. The active protection systems have the disadvantage of high price and high weight. The passive protection systems have the disadvantage that body parts of the occupant have already experienced a certain acceleration due to the impact, until they impinge on corresponding deformation parts of the passive protection systems. As a result, on the one hand, more energy must be dissipated, on the other hand, space must be left free in the instrument panel for the deformation of said parts. In addition, the said passive and active protection systems are irreversible, resulting in significant repair costs after an accident.

In order to further improve the protection of the occupants in the event of an impact on an obstacle, so-called pre-crash systems have been developed, which detect, for example by means of radar sensors an imminent impact on an obstacle and then various restraint systems of the motor vehicle before the impending impact speak to.

For example, is from the DE 103 18 417 B4 an adjusting arrangement for pre-crash adjustment of a vehicle component, by which, as soon as an impending impact is sensed, a vehicle seat is driven accordingly, that the subject vehicle occupant is brought into a crash-safe position.

From the EP 0 983 168 B1 . JP 2005 271 729 A . US 6,370,461 B1 . WO 98/52794 Further pre-crash systems are known in which restraint systems of the motor vehicle are addressed before an impact.

The DE 40 02 448 A1 discloses a safety device for a motor vehicle for restraining the lower body of a vehicle occupant seated on a vehicle seat which is adjustable in the vehicle longitudinal direction with a resilient energy-consuming knee-loading element arranged in front of the vehicle occupant in the region of the knees.

The DE 197 47 423 C1 discloses a dynamic knee protection device for a person sitting on an interior of a vehicle seated person in the event of accidental deformation of the legroom.

The invention is based on the object to provide an improved safety device for a motor vehicle, as well as an improved glove box for a motor vehicle with means for energy absorption for the protection of an occupant, as well as an improved method for energy absorption by the safety device of the motor vehicle.

The objects underlying the invention are each achieved with the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a safety device for a motor vehicle is provided with means for energy absorption for the protection of an occupant and with an impact surface for the occupant, wherein the impact surface is reversibly movably arranged in the direction of the occupant by an electromechanical drive. This has the advantage that in the case of an impact on an obstacle by the movement of the impact surface in the direction of the occupant, the occupant can not absorb high accelerations during the impact, since corresponding body parts are already supported by the impact surface during the impact. In addition, since the baffle is arranged reversibly movable, the baffle can absorb acceleration energy of the body parts and reduce the acceleration energy by a specifically controlled return movement of the baffle. This reduces the risk of injury to the occupant. Reversible in the present context is to be understood that the baffle is at least partially returned to its original position after activation of the safety device as before activation of the safety device. It is also possible that z. B. the safety device after activation without further repairs as a fully functional safety device to protect the occupant is available again.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the safety device for a Instrument panel formed a motor vehicle. Due to the arrangement of the safety device in the field of instrument panel occupants z. B. be effectively protected in a frontal impact on an obstacle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the safety device is designed for knee protection of the occupant. This can be realized by forming the baffle in the form of a footwell cover, as well as belonging to a storage compartment lid. In the case of a storage compartment this is preferably formed by a glove box. The use of Fußraumabdeckungen and storage compartments has the advantage that existing elements of the instrument panel for the safety device can be used and thus can be dispensed with costly design changes, and space-consuming measures to protect the occupant in the event of an impact on an obstacle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive is formed by an electromagnetic linear drive. Such an electromagnetic linear actuator has the advantage of providing sufficient energy and speed to activate the system.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive is designed for use for energy absorption in generator operation. In addition, the safety device has means for regulating the energy absorption during generator operation. By using the drive in the generator mode, the drive serves to convert the accelerating energy of the occupant acting on the impact surface into electrical energy, whereby a braking force acts on the occupant. By the electrical control of the braking force and thus a regulation of the energy absorption in the generator operation, the braking force acting on the occupants can be selectively controlled depending on the accident situation.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the safety device further comprises an electric capacitor, wherein the capacitor provides an energy required for moving the impact surface in the direction of the occupant. The discharge of the capacitor ensures that sufficient power and energy are available to operate the drive in the event of impact with an obstacle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive is controllable by means of a pre-crash system with means of a control signal, wherein the pre-crash system is designed to detect an impending impact on an obstacle. This ensures that even before the impact, the baffle can be moved to a corresponding position to shorten caused by the impact acceleration paths of body parts of the occupants.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a glove box for a motor vehicle with means for absorbing energy to protect an occupant and with a bumper for the occupant, wherein the baffle is arranged reversibly displaceable in the direction of the occupant by means of an electromechanical drive. The use of a glove box as a safety device for a motor vehicle has the advantage that existing components of the instrument panel can be used without changing the design and consuming new designs.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive is formed by an electromagnetic linear drive. This drive provides enough energy and speed for the safety application described here.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive is designed for use for energy absorption in generator operation. Furthermore, the glove box has means for regulating the energy absorption during generator operation. In this way, an acceleration energy acting on the impact surface by the occupant can be converted into electrical energy by the drive, which further reduces the forces acting on the occupants, thereby reducing the risk of injury to the occupant.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the glove box further comprises an electric capacitor which provides an energy required to move the baffle in the direction of the occupant.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive is controllable by means of a pre-crash system with means of a control signal, wherein the pre-crash system is designed to detect an impending impact on an obstacle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the baffle is designed as a glove box lid. This is particularly appropriate because the sheet-like shape of the glove box lid can be excellent as a baffle in terms of size and shape for body parts of occupants.

According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one wall of the glove box as a stator for the drive for moving the baffle surface with means of a reaction rail in Trained the direction of the occupant. In this case, the glove box lid can be unlocked and released from hinges located on walls of the glove box for movement of the glove box lid. Furthermore, the reaction rail for moving the glove box lid in the glove box lid can be latched. With this embodiment, it is possible to take over existing components of a glove box largely unmodified for use of the glove box as a safety device. The components required for the actual safety device, such as drive, stator and reaction rail, are decoupled from the glove box lid during normal operation of the glove box, so that wear of these components in everyday use is prevented.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the glove box has at least a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall, the walls running one above the other. In this case, the first wall is at least partially designed as a stator for the drive for moving the glove box lid in the direction of the occupant. In addition, the second wall is at least partially formed as a reaction rail for moving the glove box lid with means of the drive. This embodiment has the advantage of a simple construction. Additional cost-intensive components are dispensed with, without loss of the actual function of the glove box lid and without loss of function as a safety device in an impact on an obstacle.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for energy absorption by a safety device of a motor vehicle with means for energy absorption for the protection of an occupant and with a bumper for the occupant, wherein the baffle is arranged reversibly movable in the direction of the occupant by means of an electromechanical drive. In a first step, an imminent impact on an obstacle is detected by a pre-crash system. Then the baffle is moved in a predetermined position in the direction of the occupant. The acceleration energy acting on the occupant due to the impact is then absorbed by the baffle, thereby moving the baffle back towards its original position.

Preferably, the movement of the baffle in the predetermined position in the direction of the occupant by an electromagnetic linear drive. The energy required to operate the electromagnetic linear drive is provided by an electric capacitor. In order to effectively absorb the acceleration energy acting on the baffle by the occupant by the safety device, the acceleration energy acting on the baffle is converted into electrical energy by means of the electromechanical drive. The electromechanical drive is driven in generator mode.

Furthermore, embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Show it:

1 FIG. 2: a schematic view of a safety device according to the invention for a motor vehicle, FIG.

2 FIG. 2: a schematic view of a glove box according to the invention for a motor vehicle, FIG.

3 FIG. 2: a schematic view of a glove box according to the invention for a motor vehicle, FIG.

4 : an inventive method for energy absorption in an impact on an obstacle.

The 1 shows a schematic view of a safety device according to the invention for a motor vehicle. In the 1a the safety device according to the invention is shown in the non-activated state. It has a baffle 100 in the direction of the occupant 102 on, which by an electromechanical drive 104 is arranged reversibly movable. In addition, in the present example, the safety device is in an instrument panel 106 integrated. Due to the arrangement in the lower area of the instrument panel, the safety device is used in particular for knee protection of the occupant 102 ,

The drive 104 is by an electromagnetic linear drive 104 educated. Such a drive 104 provides enough energy and speed to, in the event of an impact of the motor vehicle on an obstacle, the baffle 100 in the direction of the occupant 102 to move. The energy required for this case to operate the electromagnetic linear actuator 104 is by discharging a capacitor 108 made available.

In the 1b the safety device is in the activated state. By discharging the capacitor 108 and thus actuation of the drive 104 is the baffle 100 in the direction of the occupant 102 extended. As a result, in the example shown here, the legs of the occupant 102 intercepted in their original position, resulting in no high accelerations of the legs and thus lower risk of injury.

If the vehicle collides with an obstacle, a force acts in the direction 110 through the legs of the occupant 102 on the baffle 100 , The legs of the occupant 102 thus be on the baffle 100 in the direction of the instrument panel 106 pressed. Now the electromagnetic drive 104 operated in generator mode, that is, that on the baffle 100 acting acceleration energy through a specifically controlled return movement of the baffle 100 with means of electromagnetic drive 104 is converted into electrical energy.

About a control unit 112 , which comes with a pre-crash system 114 is connected to the motor vehicle, the response of the electromagnetic linear actuator can be selectively controlled electronically depending on the accident situation. The response of the safety system is both during extension of the baffle 100 , as well as during the return movement of the baffle 100 controllable.

This control can also include sensors 116 carried out, for example, in the vehicle interior or in the vehicle seat 118 are housed. So can by means of the sensors 116 For example, determine how far the baffle 100 in the direction of the occupant 102 is shifted, or at what speed the baffle 100 after the impact in direction 110 the instrument panel 106 is being reduced.

In particular, the control unit 112 via a variation of current and current direction of the drive 104 the speed of extension of the baffle 100 , as well as the braking force when returning the baffle 100 in the direction 110 targeted at weight and seating position of the occupant 102 adjusted rules. This will provide optimal protection of the occupant 102 allows.

The 2 shows a schematic view of a glove box according to the invention for a motor vehicle. The glove box has a baffle surface, which in the direction 202 an occupant is arranged reversibly displaceable. The baffle is at the same time as a glove box lid 200 educated. The glove box lid 200 is about hinges 204 on sidewalls 206 attached to the glove box. A wall 206 of the glove box is as a stator 208 trained and thus part of the drive 212 to move the glove box lid 200 in the direction 202 of the occupant. In case of an impact on an obstacle, the glove box lid will 200 unlocked and hinged 204 , which are on sidewalls 206 of the glove box, solved.

In the 2a the glove box integrated safety system is in the non-activated state and the glove box lid 200 is about the hinges 204 stuck with the side walls 206 connected to the glove box. In the 2 B the safety device is activated. The glove box lid 200 is from the hinges 204 solved, and a reaction rail 210 which part of the drive 212 is through a movement of the reaction rail 210 in the direction of the occupant 202 in a cradle 214 of the glove box lid 200 engaged. This is a targeted guidance of the glove box lid 200 through the reaction rail 210 guaranteed.

The operation of the drive 212 Energy required is through an electrical capacitor 216 made available. After the impact of the motor vehicle with an obstacle, the glove box lid is received in one direction to receive the acceleration energy acting on the surface of the glove box lid by the occupant 218 moved away from the passenger. As a result, the acceleration energy into electrical energy by means of the drive 212 transformed.

In the 3 is a schematic view of a glove box according to the invention for a motor vehicle shown. The glove box in the 3 is different from the glove box in the 2 to the effect that the reaction rail 210 with the glove box lid 200 is also in the non-activated state of the safety system in connection. This is in the 3a shown.

Two side walls 206 , which are arranged one above the other, are connected via a stator 208 and a reaction rail 210 connected with each other. Likewise, the reaction rail 210 indirectly via the hinge 204 firmly with the glove box lid 200 connected.

Like in the 3b shown, in the activated state of the safety system, the glove box lid 200 together with the hinges 204 in the direction 202 the occupant moves. The necessary energy is again through the electric capacitor 216 made available. During the second phase immediately after the impact of the motor vehicle on an obstacle becomes the glove box lid 200 due to the glove box lid 200 acting force, which by the accelerated occupant toward 218 works, also in the direction 218 pressed. This is the drive 212 operated in generator mode and thus serves as energy converter and brake. Thereby, the acceleration energy of the corresponding body parts of the occupant is converted into electrical energy.

The 4 shows an inventive method for energy absorption in an impact on an obstacle. In step 400 the detection of an imminent impact on an obstacle by a pre-crash system. A control signal is then in step 402 initiated a movement of a baffle in a predetermined position in the direction of the occupant. In step 404 the acceleration energy of body parts of the occupant caused by the impact on the impact surface is absorbed by the impact surface. By a deliberately controlled return movement of the baffle in step 406 This acceleration energy is converted into electrical energy by means of an electromechanical drive. This ensures effective protection of the occupant. In addition, the use of the safety system is reversible, resulting in lower repair costs of the vehicle after an accident.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

baffle

102

inmate

104

drive

106

dashboard

108

capacitor

110

direction of force

112

control unit

114

Pre-crash system

116

sensor

118

vehicle seat

200

Glove box lid

202

direction

204

hinge

206

Side wall

208

stator

210

reaction rail

212

drive

214

cradle

216

capacitor

218

direction

Claims (25)

Safety device for a motor vehicle with energy absorption means for protecting an occupant ( 102 ) and with a baffle ( 100 ; 200 ) for the occupant, wherein the impact surface in the direction of the occupant by an electromechanical drive ( 104 ; 212 ) is reversibly movable, characterized in that the drive for use for energy absorption in the generator mode for converting a on the impact surface ( 100 ; 200 ) acting acceleration energy of the occupant ( 102 ) is formed in electrical energy. Safety device according to claim 1, wherein the safety device is designed for an instrument panel of a motor vehicle. Safety device according to claim 2, wherein the safety device is designed for knee protection of the occupant. Safety device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the baffle surface is formed by a Fußraumabdeckung. Safety device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the baffle surface is formed by a cover belonging to a storage compartment. Safety device according to claim 5, wherein the storage compartment is formed by a glove box. Safety device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive is formed by an electromagnetic linear drive. Safety device according to claim 1 with means for regulating the energy absorption in the generator mode. Safety device according to one of the preceding claims with an electrical capacitor ( 108 ; 216 ), the capacitor providing energy needed to move the baffle toward the occupant. Safety device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive by a pre-crash system ( 114 ) is controllable by means of a control signal, wherein the pre-crash system is designed to detect an impending impact on an obstacle. Glove box for a motor vehicle with energy absorbing means for protecting an occupant and having an impact surface ( 100 ; 200 ) for the occupant, wherein the impact surface in the direction of the occupant by means of an electromechanical drive ( 104 ; 212 ) is arranged reversibly displaceable, characterized in that the drive for use for energy absorption in the generator mode for converting a on the impact surface ( 100 ; 200 ) acting acceleration energy of the occupant ( 102 ) is formed in electrical energy. Glove box according to claim 11, wherein the drive is formed by an electromagnetic linear drive. Glove box according to claim 11 with means for regulating the energy absorption during generator operation. Glove box according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 13 with an electric capacitor ( 108 ; 216 ), wherein the capacitor is a for Movement of the baffle in the direction of the occupant provides needed energy. Glove box according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 14, wherein the drive by a pre-crash system ( 114 ) is controllable by means of a control signal, wherein the pre-crash system is designed to detect an impending impact on an obstacle. Glove box according to claim 11, wherein the impact surface is used as glove box lid ( 200 ) is trained. Glove box according to claim 16, wherein at least one wall of the glove box as a stator ( 208 ) for driving the glove box lid with means of a reaction rail ( 210 ) is formed in the direction of the occupant. Glove box according to claim 17, wherein, for movement of the glove box lid, the glove box lid can be unlocked and hinges located on walls of the glove box (US Pat. 204 ) is solvable. The glove box of claim 18, wherein the reaction rail is engageable with the glove box lid to move the glove box lid. Gloves box according to claim 16, wherein the glove box has at least a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall, wherein the walls run over each other. Glove box according to claim 20, wherein the first wall is formed as a stator for the drive for moving the glove box lid in the direction of the occupant. Glove box according to claim 21, wherein the second wall is at least partially formed as a reaction rail for moving the glove box lid with means of the drive. Method for energy absorption by a safety device of a motor vehicle with means for energy absorption for the protection of an occupant and with a baffle surface ( 100 ; 200 ) for the occupant, wherein the impact surface in the direction of the occupant by means of an electromechanical drive ( 104 ; 212 is arranged reversibly movable, comprising the following steps: - Detection of an impending impact on an obstacle by a pre-crash system, - Movement of the baffle in a predetermined position in the direction of the occupant, - Recording an acting on the impact surface by the occupant accelerating energy and thereby returning movement of the baffle, wherein the recording of the force acting on the impact surface by the occupant acceleration energy by a controlled controlled conversion of the acceleration energy into electrical energy by means of the electromechanical drive. A method for energy absorption according to claim 23, wherein the movement of the baffle in the predetermined position in the direction of the occupant is effected by an electromagnetic linear drive. A method of energy absorption according to claim 24, wherein the power supply for operating the electromagnetic linear drive via an electrical capacitor.

Images