DE102011108303A1 - Safety device for motor car, has cylinder hydraulically or pneumatically filled with medium during lateral collision for lifting body of vehicle, where filling takes place directly or indirectly by gas generator and/or pressure reservoir - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a suspension-and damping device arranged between a chassis and a body of a vehicle and comprising a spring-damper unit (4). A shock absorber (8) and/or a spring (9) are coupled with a cylinder (7). The cylinder is hydraulically or pneumatically filled with gaseous medium or liquid medium during imminent lateral collision for lifting the body of the vehicle. Filling of the cylinder takes place directly or indirectly by a pyrotechnical gas generator and/or by a pressure reservoir. The lateral collision is detected by a surrounding detection device. The surrounding detection device comprises a radar sensor system, a light detection and ranging sensor system, an ultrasonic sensor system and/or a camera arrangement.

Description

The invention relates to a safety device for a vehicle according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

From the prior art, as in the DE 103 32 935 A1 described a motor vehicle with a pre-safe system known. The pre-safe system has at least one vehicle environment recognition device and a suspension and damping device. The suspension and damping device is arranged between a chassis and a body and can be controlled as a function of the signals recorded by the vehicle environment recognition device and evaluated in a data evaluation device. The data evaluation device of the vehicle environment recognition device is linked to a control device of an active suspension control which actuates the suspension and damping device, by means of which in a pre-crash phase during an anticipated impact of a collision object, in particular a pile-like collision object, on a side sill area a tilting moment of Motor vehicle is applied in the direction of the collision object counteracting moment.

The invention is based on the object to provide an improved safety device for a vehicle.

The object is achieved by a safety device for a vehicle with the features of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

A safety device for a vehicle comprises an environment detection device for detecting an external environment of the vehicle and a suspension and damping device which is arranged between a chassis and a body of the vehicle, wherein at a detected by the environment detection device impending lateral collision of the vehicle with a collision object at least a collision-prone side of the body can be raised by means of the suspension and damping device.

According to the invention, the suspension and damping device comprises at least one spring-damper unit, wherein a shock absorber and / or a spring are coupled to a first cylinder which is hydraulically or pneumatically filled in the detected impending lateral collision for lifting the body and wherein the filling of first cylinder directly or indirectly by means of at least one pyrotechnic gas generator and / or by means of at least one pressure accumulator.

By the gas generator and / or the accumulator collision-prone side of the body can be raised particularly quickly, for example within fractions of a second. As a result, the collision of the vehicle with the collision object, for example, with another vehicle, no longer in the range of vehicle doors, but in the area of a sill of the body, which is much more stable and stiffer than the vehicle doors and allows greater energy absorption. Due to this, penetration of the collision object into a passenger compartment of the vehicle is prevented or at least a penetration depth is significantly reduced. Even with an intrusion of the collision object, such as the other vehicle in the interior, this is due to the raised body, for example, not at the level of a pelvis or upper body of a vehicle occupant, but at the level of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat or lower, which is absorbed by the vehicle seat more collision energy , This results in a significant reduction in the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

By means of the very rapid lifting of the collision-prone side of the body, made possible by means of the gas generator and / or the pressure accumulator, a processing unit has sufficient time to evaluate sensor signals of the environment detection device and to evaluate them with regard to a possible lateral collision of the vehicle with a potential collision object, so that a safe triggering in the shortest possible time period before the collision is possible and a false triggering, for example, in a still avoidable collision, avoided or at least significantly reduced. In this way, hazards of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant are avoided or at least significantly reduced, for example due to an unstable driving situation or due to a terrible reaction of a driver after a sudden lateral lifting of the body in a false triggering.

Since the lateral collision now occurs more intensively in the sill area and not in the door area, stiffening structures in the vehicle doors which are provided in prior art vehicles in order to absorb the collision energy are reducible, resulting in a reduction in weight and thus a lower fuel consumption of the vehicle is achievable.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

Showing:

1 schematically a side view of a vehicle with a safety device in a normal operating condition,

2 schematically a side view of a vehicle with a safety device and a raised body,

3 1 is a schematic front view of a vehicle with a safety device during the detection of a collision danger with another vehicle;

4 schematically a front view of a vehicle with a safety device immediately before a collision with another vehicle,

5 schematically a spring-damper unit of a vehicle with a safety device in a normal operating condition.

6 schematically a spring-damper unit of a vehicle with a safety device during a triggering a lifting of a body of the vehicle and

7 schematically a spring-damper unit of a vehicle with a safety device after lifting a body of the vehicle.

Corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

1 schematically shows a vehicle 1 , which has a safety device, by means of which in the event of a threatening lateral collision with a collision object 2 , For example, with another vehicle, at least one collision-prone side of a body 3 of the vehicle 1 is liftable. Lifting the body 3 is in 2 shown schematically. An exemplary traffic situation in which a lateral collision with the collision object 2 , in this example with the further vehicle threatens, is in the 3 and 4 shown schematically, in 4 the bodywork 3 already raised on the collision-prone side.

For lifting the body 3 For example, the safety device comprises a suspension and damping device which is connected between a chassis and the bodywork 3 of the vehicle 1 is arranged. This suspension and damping device comprises spring-damper units 4 , where expediently each vehicle wheel 5 each such, in the 5 . 6 and 7 illustrated spring damper unit 4 assigned. For lifting the body 3 on each collision-prone side are the spring damper units 4 for example, each individually controllable or the spring-damper units 4 one side of the body 3 are controllable together.

To a threatening lateral collision of the vehicle 1 with the collision object 2 Furthermore, the security device has an environment detection device 6 for detecting an external environment of the vehicle 1 on. This environment detection device 6 , which for the sake of clarity greatly simplified here only in a roof area of the vehicle 1 has, for example, a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor and / or at least one camera arrangement, wherein the camera arrangement may include, for example, one or more monocameras and / or stereo cameras and / or infrared cameras. For example, a plurality of identical or different sensors of the environment detection device can also be used 6 in side areas of the vehicle 1 and / or in front and / or rear areas of the vehicle 1 be arranged.

For lifting the body 3 have the spring damper units 4 as in the 5 . 6 and 7 represented, in each case a first cylinder 7 on with which a shock absorber 8th and / or a spring 9 the respective spring-damper unit 4 is coupled. In the example shown here is the shock absorber 8th on which the spring 9 is arranged in this first cylinder 7 inserted so that he as a cylinder piston of this first cylinder 7 acts.

The first cylinder 7 is with a vehicle wheel 5 coupled. The shock absorber 8th is over a shock absorber piston 10 and a piston rod 11 with the body 3 coupled so that over in the first cylinder 7 used shock absorbers 8th a connection between the body 3 and the respective vehicle wheel 5 is made. Also is the spring 9 with the body 3 coupled so that too over the spring 9 , the shock absorber 8th on which she sits, and the first cylinder 7 the connection between the vehicle wheel 5 and the body 3 is made. The shock absorber piston 10 moves in a housing 12 of the shock absorber 8th which encloses, for example, a liquid or a gas, so that on the vehicle wheels 5 acting shocks and through the springs 9 caused swinging movements of the body 3 through the shock absorbers 8th to dampen.

The first cylinder 7 is filled hydraulically or pneumatically at the detected impending lateral collision, causing the shock absorber 8th with the spring arranged thereon 9 in the first cylinder 7 is liftable. Because the shock absorber 8th and the spring 9 with the body 3 of the vehicle 1 are coupled, this is done by lifting the body 3 in the region of the respective spring-damper unit controlled in this way 4 , For a uniform lifting of the body 3 to allow on the respective collision-prone side, preferably takes place at the same time a pneumatic or hydraulic filling of the first cylinder 7 the on the respective side of the vehicle 1 arranged spring-damper units 4 ,

To a very fast lifting of the body 3 on the respective collision-prone side, allowing the bodywork 3 Even with very short reaction times in time before the collision can be raised, the filling of the first cylinder takes place 7 directly or, as in the example shown here indirectly by means of at least one pyrotechnic gas generator and / or by means of at least one pressure accumulator. It is also a combination of gas generator and accumulator possible, for example in the form of a hybrid gas generator.

When using the gas generator takes place after ignition of the gas generator at a detected risk of collision of the vehicle 1 with the collision object 2 a strong expansion of a gas generated by the gas generator. It is in a pneumatic filling of the first cylinder 7 ie with a gaseous medium, the gas generator both for direct and, as shown here, for the indirect filling of the first cylinder 7 available. For a hydraulic filling of the first cylinder 7 , ie with a liquid medium, the gas generator is expediently only for the indirect filling of the first cylinder shown here 7 use, since in this way no mixing of the gas generated by the gas generator with that for filling the first cylinder 7 used liquid medium takes place.

When using the pressure accumulator can be a pneumatic or hydraulic pressure accumulator. The accumulator then has accordingly a gaseous or liquid medium, which is under a high pressure and at a detected risk of collision of the vehicle 1 with the collision object 2 through an opening of the pressure accumulator is released. For a direct filling of the first cylinder 7 it is expediently in a pneumatic filling to a gaseous medium in the pressure accumulator and in a hydraulic filling expediently to a liquid medium in the pressure accumulator. In an indirect filling of the first cylinder 7 by means of the pressure accumulator is in both a pneumatic and a hydraulic filling of the first cylinder 7 Both a pneumatic and a hydraulic pressure accumulator used, since in this case no mixing of the medium of the pressure accumulator with the in the first cylinder 7 takes place medium to be initiated.

In the in the 5 to 7 illustrated embodiment of the spring-damper unit 4 takes place, as already mentioned, the filling of the first cylinder 7 indirectly by means of the pyrotechnic gas generator, for reasons of clarity of the gas generator is not shown, but only in 6 an ignition of the gas generator is shown schematically. In order to allow indirect filling, the first cylinder is 7 with a first chamber 13.1 a second cylinder 13 over a connecting line 14 fluidly coupled. The first chamber 13.1 of the second cylinder 13 contains the pneumatic or hydraulic medium for filling the first cylinder 7 ,

The pyrotechnic gas generator is in a second chamber 13.2 of the second cylinder 13 arranged or formed. When using the pressure accumulator would be corresponding to this accumulator in the second chamber 13.2 of the second cylinder 13 arranged or formed. The two chambers 13.1 . 13.2 are through one in the second cylinder 13 movable piston 15 separated from each other.

In 5 is the normal operating condition of the vehicle 1 or the spring-damper unit 4 shown. The first cylinder 7 is completely deflated, leaving the shock absorber 8th in a lower end position in the first cylinder 7 is arranged. This shows the bodywork 3 of the vehicle 1 a normal operating level, ie the body 3 of the vehicle 1 is arranged in a predetermined for normal driving height, such as in the 1 and 3 shown.

When using the environment detection device 6 detected impending lateral collision of the vehicle 1 with a collision object 2 , such as in 3 shown with the side approaching another vehicle, the risk of collision expediently by an evaluation of sensor signals of the environment detection device 6 in a coupled thereto, not shown processing unit can be determined, there is a triggering of the pyrotechnic gas generator, as in 6 shown. To trigger the pyrotechnic gas generators of the respective spring-damper units 4 of the vehicle 1 these are expediently coupled to the processing unit.

By triggering the pyrotechnic gas generator, the gas generated by the gas generator expands in the second chamber 13.2 of the second cylinder 13 , As a result, as in 7 shown, a displacement of the piston 15 in the second cylinder 13 in the direction of the first chamber 13.1 , Which As a result, increasingly smaller, under displacement of their pneumatic or hydraulic medium.

The pneumatic or hydraulic medium then flows through the connecting line 14 from the first chamber 13.1 of the second cylinder 13 out and into the first cylinder 7 one. This results in a lifting of the shock absorber 8th and the spring arranged thereon 9 in the first cylinder 7 to a predetermined upper end position. This lifting of the shock absorber 8th and the spring 9 causes, as in the 2 and 4 illustrated, in particular in a simultaneous driving a front and a rear spring-damper unit 4 on the respective collision-prone side, lifting the bodywork 3 on this side, because the shock absorber 8th and the spring 9 the respective spring-damper unit 4 with the body 3 of the vehicle 1 are coupled.

Alternatively to driving the spring-damper units 4 For example, only each collision-prone side, for example, all spring-damper units 4 of the vehicle 1 accordingly controllable, so that a uniform lifting of the entire body 3 of the vehicle 1 he follows. Because the bodywork 3 is then still aligned, for example, a tendency to tilt the vehicle 1 and thereby the risk of lateral tipping over of the vehicle 1 reduced due to lateral collision. In addition, even with a false trip or with only a slight lateral collision, after which the vehicle 1 continues to move in the direction of travel, the vehicle 1 easier to control by a driver, because it has a greater driving stability than with a one-sided inclined body 3 , Driving the spring-damper units 4 the collision-risky side of the vehicle 1 or all spring damper units 4 of the vehicle 1 Therefore, for example, it can be done depending on a predicted collision severity.

By the gas generator and / or the pressure accumulator is the collision-prone side of the body 3 or the entire body 3 can be raised particularly quickly, for example within fractions of a second, so that the raised state of the body 3 reached before the collision occurs, as in 4 shown. This causes the collision of the vehicle 1 with the collision object 2 For example, with the other vehicle, no longer in the range of vehicle doors 16 but in the area of a sill 17 the body 3 , which is much more stable and stiffer than the vehicle doors 16 and allows greater energy absorption. Because of this is an intrusion of the collision object 2 in a passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 prevents or at least significantly reduces a penetration depth.

Even with an intrusion of the collision object 2 , For example, the other vehicle in the interior, this is due to the raised body 3 For example, not at the level of a pelvis or upper body of a vehicle occupant, but at the height of a seat cushion of a vehicle seat or below, which is absorbed by the vehicle seat more collision energy. This results in a significant reduction in the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

By means of the gas generator and / or the pressure accumulator enabled very fast lifting at least the collision-prone side of the body 3 or the entire body 3 the processing unit is a sufficient amount of time available to sensor signals of the environment detection device 6 evaluate and in view of a possible lateral collision of the vehicle 1 with a respective potential collision object 2 to evaluate, so that a safe triggering in the shortest possible time period before the collision is possible and a false triggering, for example, in a still avoidable collision, avoided or at least significantly reduced. In this way are hazards to the vehicle 1 and the vehicle occupant, for example, due to an unstable driving situation or due to a dreadful reaction of a driver after a sudden lateral lifting of the body 3 avoided in a false trip or at least significantly reduced.

Since the lateral collision is now increasingly in the sill area and not in the door area, stiffening structures are in the vehicle doors 16 , which are provided in prior art vehicles to absorb the collision energy, reducible, resulting in a weight reduction and thereby a lower fuel consumption of the vehicle 1 is achievable.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10332935 A1 [0002]

Claims (5)

Safety device for a vehicle ( 1 ), comprising an environment detection device ( 6 ) for detecting an external environment of the vehicle ( 1 ) and a suspension and damping device, which between a chassis and a body ( 3 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) is arranged, wherein in one by means of the environment detection device ( 6 ) detected impending lateral collision of the vehicle ( 1 ) with a collision object ( 2 ) at least one collision-prone side of the body ( 3 ) is liftable by means of the suspension and damping device, characterized in that the suspension and damping device at least one spring-damper unit ( 4 ), wherein a shock absorber ( 8th ) and / or a spring ( 9 ) with a first cylinder ( 7 ), which in the detected impending lateral collision for lifting the body ( 3 ) is filled hydraulically or pneumatically and wherein the filling of the first cylinder ( 7 ) takes place directly or indirectly by means of at least one pyrotechnic gas generator and / or by means of at least one pressure accumulator. Safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that the suspension and damping device for each vehicle wheel ( 5 ) at least one spring damper unit ( 4 ) having. Safety device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pressure accumulator is designed as a pneumatic or hydraulic pressure accumulator. Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first cylinder ( 7 ) with a first chamber ( 13.1 ) of a second cylinder ( 13 ) is fluidically coupled, which the pneumatic or hydraulic medium for filling the first cylinder ( 7 ), wherein the pyrotechnic gas generator or the pressure accumulator in a second chamber ( 13.2 ) of the second cylinder ( 13 ) is arranged or formed and wherein the two chambers ( 13.1 . 13.2 ) by one in the second cylinder ( 13 ) movable piston ( 15 ) are separated from each other. Safety device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the environment detection device ( 6 ) comprises a radar sensor, a Lidarsensorik, an ultrasonic sensor and / or at least one camera arrangement.

Images