DE102021201487A1 - Occupant protection system for a vehicle with a plurality of seats and an airbag in the roof of the vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an occupant protection system for a vehicle with a plurality of seats (31, 32) and an airbag (10), the airbag (10) being arranged in the roof of the vehicle and, when deployed, covering this plurality of seats (31, 32) unfolded. An interior monitor (21, 22) is provided, which monitors the interior of the vehicle and generates at least one corresponding measured variable. The occupant protection system adjusts the deployment of the airbag (10) according to the at least one measured variable. According to the invention, the interior monitor (21, 22) records the interior of the vehicle and its occupancy status in a predefined three-dimensional space segment structure (Vxyz), from which a free interior volume is determined as a measured variable and adjusts the deployment of the airbag depending on the free interior volume.

Description

The invention relates to an occupant protection system for a vehicle with a plurality of seats and an airbag according to the preamble of claim 1.

For example, the US2017361802A1 an airbag which is arranged in the roof of the vehicle and, when deployed, deploys over or between said plurality of seats. In addition to pyrotechnic gas generators, the use of so-called cold gas generators with a film medium that is under pressure has already been described for triggering.

In addition, Section 39 of the US2017361802A1 mentions interior monitoring, which records at least one piece of seat occupancy information as a measured variable and takes it into account for triggering the airbag.

In addition, for example, from the DE 102016223544 A1 already an occupant protection device can be seen, in which an interior sensor system is provided, which uses a camera to detect objects in the expansion space of the airbag and classifies them with regard to a possible risk of them being triggered by the airbag.

Especially when airbags are deployed, which can extend over a number of seats, the volume of gas generated is no longer negligible and can lead to a critical overpressure situation in the vehicle, since the vehicle is not hermetically sealed, but it is quickly Pressure release may not be able to compensate. On the other hand, luggage in the vehicle and other occupants are not negligible sources of danger in the event of an accident.

The object of the invention is therefore to show an improvement for such an occupant protection system. This object is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments can be found in the dependent claims and the description.

An essential idea is that the interior monitoring system records the occupancy status of the vehicle interior in a specified three-dimensional space segment structure and uses this to determine a free interior volume as a measured variable and adjust the deployment of the airbag depending on the free interior volume. So while known interior monitoring systems focus primarily on the presence and type of obstacles in the deployment space of the airbag, the present application wants to capture the size of the existing free interior volume as a preferably additional measured variable in addition to the known factors within the scope of the technical possibilities.

In addition to the free interior volume, the type of seat occupancy, in particular with occupants, and preferably also their seating position and the risk to an occupant resulting from an airbag deployment is thus preferably recognized and the deployment of the airbag is adapted depending on this. In particular, one or more cameras, preferably also stereo cameras or cameras with assignment of distance values to specific pixels, come into consideration for monitoring the interior. Alternatively, sensors based on LIDAR or ultrasound or comparable technologies can also be used in order to be able to record this free interior volume.

In a preferred embodiment, the airbag has a plurality of gas sources or outflow openings distributed locally over the interior and the spatial distribution of free space segments is also detected and the triggering of the individual gas sources or degree of opening of the outflow openings is adapted according to the detected spatial distribution of free space segments.

In a further preferred embodiment, the airbag is a single, large-area airbag in the roof of the vehicle, i. H. no further airbags are provided in the roof area, but other airbags, in particular seat-related airbags, can of course be provided in the usual positions in the steering wheel, the side console or the doors, in the footwell for the knee area and the otherwise known locations.

the 1 sketches a section through a vehicle, with X indicating the direction of travel of the vehicle and Z forming the vertical axis of the vehicle. In the sketch, only 2 seats 31 and 32 are shown purely as an example, of course there can be more seats in the vehicle. In addition, the figure illustrates in this exemplary embodiment 2 units for monitoring the interior 21 and 22, which can essentially optically detect the entire interior of the vehicle and the free interior volume contained therein at 2 suitable positions in the vehicle. The interior monitoring (21, 22) detected in a predetermined three-dimensional space segment structure (Vxyz), illustrated here in the figure sketchy by small boxes, preferably their three-dimensional position, ie in relation to the X-Rich tion, Y-direction and Z-axis is evaluated and this is to be understood under the term three-dimensional space segment structure. As is ultimately also made clear by the boxes, the resolution accuracy of the interior monitoring is adapted to the technical possibilities and requirements of the application, ie there must only be a sufficiently precise resolution for the evaluation and deployment of the airbag.

A free interior volume (Vxyz) is determined as a measured variable from this three-dimensional spatial structure and the deployment of the airbag is adjusted depending on the free interior volume (Vxyz).

The airbag (10) is in the 1 outlined in the non-triggered state as a large-area upper side of the interior paneling of the roof of the vehicle, but can of course also be arranged behind an additional paneling that tears open when the airbag is triggered.

In addition, a common gas source 11 and, via a supply line 12, a plurality of outflow openings (13A, 13B, . . . ) distributed locally over the interior are provided. As a result, the triggering can be adjusted not only depending on the free interior volume (Vxyz), but also the triggering of the individual gas sources or the degree of opening of the outflow openings (13A, 13B, ...) according to the detected spatial distribution of free space segments (Vxyz).

1. 1. 3-D Kartierung des Innenraumkabinenraums mit realen Abmessungen während der Gefahrenphase: Eine hinreichend genaue 3D-Kartierungstechnik für Innenraumkameras und Infrarot-Sensoren zur Erfassung jedes einzelnen Objekts erfasst im Rahmen der durch die Hardware und Verarbeitung mögliche nächstgelegene 3-D-Form im Rahmen der Auflösegenauigkeit. 3-D-Koordinatensysteme für den Innenbereich können dabei helfen.
2. 2. Berechnung des freien Raumes in der Kabine: Die 3D-Kartierung ermöglicht dann die Berechnung des Leervolumens innerhalb der Kabine, welches dann vorzugsweise vom Airbag ausgefüllt wird. Hier kann das konstante Volumen der fixen Objekte im (unbesetzten Fahrzeug) zur Vorberechnung ihres Volumens herangezogen und in dieser Phase als Konstante verwendet werden. Die konfigurierbaren/beweglichen/eingebrachten Objekte müssen jedoch für ihre Volumenberechnungen in jeder Gefahrensituation analysiert werden. Aus der 3D-Abbildung ergibt sich die Möglichkeit, das Volumen zu berechnen, indem die 3-D-Objekte in Würfel und die Anzahl der Würfel aufgespalten werden, die für die Raumvolumen der Objekte stehen. Daraus wird beispielsweise zunächst das besetzte Volumen ermittelt. Durch Abzug dieses gesamten belegten Rauminhalts vom bekannten Raumvolumen ergibt sich ebenfalls das Leervolumen. Diese Mapping- und Berechnungstätigkeit für das von den Gasgeneratoren zu produzierende Gasvolumen muss möglichst bereits in der Precrash-Phase erfolgen.
3. 3. Der Leerraumvolumenwert wird dem Airbagsystem zur Verfügung gestellt. Dieses löst an mehreren Stellen die Gasgeneratoren bzw. Ausströmöffnungen aus, um den Airbag auf das erforderliche Volumen aufzupumpen und füllt den leeren Raum während des Crashs aus und grenzt dadurch Personen und Gegenstände voneinander ab und beschränkt, wie diese sich zu bewegen oder mit dem Fahrzeug oder dem Innenraum oder untereinander zusammenzustoßen oder reduziert zumindest die Stärke einer evtl. Einwirkung.

The solution thus proposes the deployment of a single airbag, activated from the roof using multiple inflators, to achieve effective deployment within the specified time of the crash scenario. In a preferred embodiment, this includes the following:

1. 1. 3-D mapping of interior cabin space with real dimensions during danger phase: A sufficiently accurate 3-D mapping technique for interior cameras and infrared sensors to detect each individual object captured in the frame of the closest 3-D shape possible by the hardware and processing the resolution accuracy. Indoor 3D coordinate systems can help.
2. 2. Calculation of the free space in the cabin: The 3D mapping then enables the calculation of the empty volume inside the cabin, which is then preferably filled by the airbag. Here the constant volume of the fixed objects in the (unoccupied vehicle) can be used to precalculate their volume and used as a constant in this phase. However, the configurable/movable/introduced objects must be analyzed for their volume calculations in each dangerous situation. From the 3D mapping comes the ability to calculate the volume by splitting the 3D objects into cubes and the number of cubes that represent the spatial volumes of the objects. From this, for example, the occupied volume is first determined. The void volume is also obtained by subtracting this entire occupied volume from the known volume. This mapping and calculation activity for the gas volume to be produced by the gas generators must take place as early as possible in the pre-crash phase.
3. 3. The void volume value is provided to the airbag system. This triggers the gas generators or outflow openings at several points to inflate the airbag to the required volume and fills the empty space during the crash, thereby separating people and objects from each other and restricting how they can move or with the vehicle or colliding with the interior or with each other or at least reduces the strength of a possible impact.

The metric to consider for this proposed functionality is therefore at least the volume of free space available. The speed and duration of the inflation process is preferably also taken into account or influenced in order to inflate the airbag. The triggering functionality is also in 2 still described. The proposed concept does not fundamentally depend on the seating arrangement as such. In addition, the dimensioning of the airbag and its gas generators preferably takes into account the vehicle design and the shape and size of the available cabin space, as care must be taken to ensure that the airbag is sufficient to fill the space of a particular vehicle model. So the space in a 4 seater car is different than in a 6 seater car. Alternatively, the selected airbag material can have a certain elasticity, comparable to an elastic balloon, for example. The deployment of airbags, as proposed in this concept, should take place from the roof of the car. Therefore, the airbags or the airbag should inflate at several points on the roof and its immediate sides closer to the roof as evenly as possible at first in order to enclose the contents/objects/occupants within the given time, preferably individually without them collide before.

For the effective implementation of this concept, a camera technology for a 3D detection in spatial form with a sufficient resolution is preferably used, a kind of §D model of the interior is created and this requires appropriate processors to calculate the empty space within the danger phase. The placement and design of the airbag or its outflow openings is designed accordingly and a preferably airbag material is also used that adapts to the objects, but is still stable and stable enough to hold these objects in place, because the Objects or passengers should not tend to move inside the inflated airbag and collide with each other.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• US2017361802 A1 [0002, 0003]
• DE 102016223544 A1 [0004]

Claims (5)

Occupant protection system for a vehicle with a plurality of seats (31, 32) and an airbag (10), wherein the airbag (10) is arranged in the roof of the vehicle and unfolds over this plurality of seats (31, 32) when deployed, interior monitoring (21, 22) being provided, which monitors the interior of the vehicle and generates at least one corresponding measured variable, and the occupant protection system adapts the deployment of the airbag (10) according to the at least one measured variable, characterized in that the interior monitoring (21, 22 ) detects the occupancy status of the interior of the vehicle in a given three-dimensional space segment structure (Vxyz), determines a free interior volume (Vxyz) as a measured variable and adjusts the deployment of the airbag depending on the free interior volume (Vxyz). occupant protection system claim 1 , characterized in that the airbag (10) has a plurality of gas sources or outflow openings (13A, 13B, ...) distributed locally over the interior, the spatial distribution of free space segments (Vxyz) is also recorded and the triggering of the individual gas sources or Degree of opening of the outflow openings (13A, 13B, ...) is adjusted according to the detected spatial distribution of free space segments (Vxyz). occupant protection system claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the interior monitoring recognizes not only the free interior volume but also the type of seat occupancy, in particular with occupants, and preferably also their seat position and the risk of an occupant resulting from airbag deployment and adapts the deployment of the airbag depending on this. occupant protection system claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the airbag is a single airbag in the roof of the vehicle and, when deployed, deploys over said plurality of seats. Motor vehicle with an occupant protection system according to one of the preceding claims.

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