DE3014649A1 - Air bag for vehicle bumper - has cylinder behind bumper linked to arcuate bag on impact - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle bumper-air bag has a resilent bumper containing compressedgas. The bumper is attached to one or more valves which have an enclosed air-tigh region defined by a pair of cylinders. A valve inside the enclosed region is opened by movement of one of the cylinders relative to the other, in response to an impact on the bumper. Compressed gas, stored in the enclosed region, the resilient bumper, or both, is released into a passageway, connected directly to one or more air bags, to inflate the bags when the valve is opened.

Description

"Impact air box system, in particular

for vehicles "The invention relates to safety devices for Vehicles and in particular an impact air cushion system that automatically air cushions inflates inside the vehicle if there is a blow or impact on one of the bumpers of the vehicle comes into effect.

Various types of safety devices for vehicles are known, which take effect automatically when the front bumper is hit. So is, for example, in US Pat. No. 1,784,387 a rubber impact or Bumper tube described, which is filled with oil and which directly with a Braking device is connected so that the brakes are applied automatically, if there is a collision with a front bumper or a corresponding impact element consists. Although the present invention involves the use of a rubber material encloses existing or flexible front bumper body or impact elements, are the elements of the safety device for inflating air cushions and is the valve system that causes the inflation is completely different compared to previously known constructions.

An air cushion system is shown in U.S. Patent 3,656,791.

The air cushion according to this document is on the vortlc: rc? N bumper and serves to protect the vehicle in the event of an impact, i.e. the air cushion is not used for Protection of the occupants inside the vehicle. There are so no air ducts shown or required, while the one to inflate the LuStkissens opening valve has a completely different design compared to the inventive arrangement has according to the present invention; it is also Not only does it require opening a valve, but also the air cushion holding outer chamber are breached or broken open.

In US-PSS 3,862,669 and 3,922,002 there are restraint systems for the occupants of the vehicle described, with air cushions in the interior of the vehicle to the effect come .. Here, an air duct and an air line are provided, which to the air cushion is connected, with compressed air admitted into the air line is when a valve assembly opens as a result of impact with the bumper will. However, the bumper or impact device is not elastic and In contrast to the embodiment of the invention, does not contain compressed gas; the valve assembly of the documents mentioned are to be destroyed and require the penetration of a Diaphragm if a single cylinder. is compressed according to an impact.

In contrast, according to the invention, an arrangement with a pair created by cylinders, which between the bumper and the impact element and the frame of the vehicle are connected, with two cylindrical bodies form an airtight envelope and each have a non-destructible valve located inside the cylinder. So if a cylinder is relative moved to the other, then a valve is mechanically opened to the pressurized To direct gas into the inflatable air cushions, which are located inside the vehicle are located.

In the arrangement of US Pat. No. 3,927,901, a continuous under A pressurized air tank is provided, part of which is used as a front bumper is trained. There is a valve between the pressurized container and an air cushion placed inside the vehicle. The valve is. by an increase the air pressure can be activated if there is a collision with the front bumper, whereby the air cushions inside the vehicle can be inflated.

In contrast, according to the invention is not a valve between the Air cushions and the branching section required, which is the interior of the vehicle connects to the front bumper or the front impact device; about that In addition, a mechanical valve is provided, which according to physical movement of the impact element and not by increasing the air pressure inside a pressure vessel is activated.

The impact air cushion system according to the invention is used for inflation at least one air cushion upon release of a predetermined amount of a compressed gas in a vehicle, wherein according to the invention an elastic impact device and a non-destructible, mechanical activity. '

Valve come into use. The valve arrangement is according to Movement of the elastic impact element actuated by the predetermined amount of Admitting pressurized gas through the valve assembly. A channel is between one or more air cushions and the valve assembly connected to the released To pass pressurized gas through the valve assembly for the purpose of inflating the air bladder. In this way, the air bellows is inflated by the compressed gas, if the one that is not to be destroyed Mechanical valve arrangement in the event of an impact on the elastic impact device is operated.

The resilient impact or bumper device attached to the Positioned at the front, at the rear or on the two long sides of a vehicle is preferably made of a rubber or flexible one Impact element in the form of a tube, in which compressed gas is for the purpose of absorption or absorption of impacts. The valve arrangement essentially has one or more valves, each of which has one attached to the vehicle frame first body and a second body, which on the elastic impact element is fixed in such a way that the second body in a mechanical compression of the elastic impact element is movable relative to the first body. The first body and the second body are preferably cylindrical in shape and form an airtight Wrapping. The valve located in the envelope, which cannot be destroyed, works with a swivel body or arm passing through an edge of the second body is graspable and rotatable when the second body is relative to the first Body is compressed. If one end of the swivel arm by contacting the second Body is pressed down, then the other end of the swivel arm lies down to a valve plate that covers an opening. This opening is the beginning of the air duct, i.e. in this way the plate is lifted from the opening. Although such a swivel body or swivel arm is sufficient, several can also be used such swivel body can be used at the same time to the valve plate of the To lift off the channel or its opening.

The compressed gas source used to inflate the air cushion inside of the vehicle can also be stored in the elastic impact device in the interior space formed by the first body and in that by the second Body of the valve assembly formed interior space, or in a combination of both Interiors or chambers. For example, according to one embodiment of the invention, each valve assembly directly to the resilient impact device be connected, whereby there is no need for a transfer of pressurized gas between the elastic impingement device and that formed by the valve arrangement To convey interior space. In this case this is used to inflate the air bags Compressed gas completely within the interior space existing in the valve assembly saved.

In a second embodiment according to the invention the valve is connected directly to the elastic impact device, but with a channel is provided to the free flow of gas between the elastic impact device and to allow the chamber defined by the valve assembly.

In a third embodiment of the invention, a channel is between the interior of the valve assembly and the interior of the elastic impact device intended. However, a membrane is placed across the canal over it in order to prevent gas from flowing between the two areas. So it can be Inflating the air cushion inside the vehicle serving gas completely in the elastic impact device are stored. When an impact is sufficient Size takes place on the elastic impact device, then the membrane breaks, such that the compressed air can get into the interior of the valve assembly. The air then enters the connected duct for the purpose of inflating the air bellows, provided that the mechanically operated valve has opened. With the latter The system needs the airtight connection between the first cylindrical body and sealing the second cylindrical body of the valve assembly not to be designed as tight as in other embodiments, since the compressed gas not to store continuously within the interior space in the valve arrangement is. Since seals with this effect are cheaper, the overall system is also corresponding cheaper.

The air cushions can be found in the dashboard and in the compartments Center of the steering wheel can be stored inside the vehicle. Alternatively you can the air cushions can also be installed in the rear part of a front seat to protect the rear passengers. You can snatch the air cushions in Press in molded parts that are perpendicular to the entire dashboard (or across the rear Part of a front seat) and surround the various instruments. With this arrangement, a previously inflated air bag may have a cushioning element exposed for the dashboard (or for the back of the front seat).

Finally, the resilient impact or bumper device contain a rigid metal or steel bumper, which is the flexible or Rubber existing impact tube opposite a perforation or opposite a other damage caused by a small impact. aside from that this will distribute the Au; effects of an impact more evenly.

The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments Explained with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the details of the invention Arrangement; Fig. 2 is a single sectional view of one having a flap mechanism provided valve plate system according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing the elastic front bumper resp. Impact device, and a channel between the compartments in the steering wheel and air cushions stored in the dashboard as. also with the elastic ones Impact device connected valve assemblies is connected; and FIG. 4 Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a dashboard showing one of it hidden compartment in the dashboard as well as a hidden compartment in the steering wheel for the purpose of accommodating the uninflated air cushions.

The impact air cushion system according to the invention has a valve system or several valve systems between the frame of the vehicle and a elastic impact device or damping device are attached. The valve arrangement is designed to hold a certain amount of a pressurized gas Introduces into a duct system which is directly attached to one or more air cushions connected. So when the elastic impact device is compressed is, then opens the valve and releases the pressurized gas into the channel, so that the air cushions are inflated.

The elastic device 100 shown in FIG. 1 preferably has an enclosed inner area 122 in which there is pressurized Gas is located, e.g. compressed air. In one embodiment according to the According to the invention, the gas has a pressure of about 3.5-4.2 bar.

The elastic means can be made of a continuous, flexible one Body 140 exist, the front area of which on one or more rigid impact bodies 102, 104 and 106 is fixed. The continuous, flexible body 140 in which Pressurized gas inside may or may not be made of rubber be made in a manner similar to a tire to be strong enough yet flexible to be. Upon impact, the pressurized gas in the elastic body continues to compress, absorbing energy from the impact. It becomes through it a destruction in a minor impact avoided. The rigid damper or Impact body 102, 1014 and 106 or, as ir Fi.g. 3 is shown the continuous Impact or

Damping body 150, provide additional protection and prevent that the flexible body 100 is inadvertently punctured or destroyed. Simultaneously convey the impact body a device for distributing the force of an impact.

Between a frame 134 and the elastic damper or. Impact device 100 there is a valve device or there are several valve devices.

In Fig. 1 three valve devices 108, 110 and 112 are shown; they are spaced at the front of the vehicle between the frame body 134 and the elastic impactor 100 attached.

-The valve device can be attached to the elastic in various ways Impact device be fixed. For example, the valve 108 is by means of a gas-impermeable end part 114 fixed to the elastic impact device 100, so that upon impact with the resilient impact device, a body 142 of the valve assembly 108 is moved backwards in the direction of impact to mechanically close a valve actuate. In this embodiment according to the invention that can be used for inflation the air cushion serving compressed gas in the inner volume or

be contained in the interior 109 of the valve assembly 108.

In a second embodiment for connecting or coupling the elastic impact device 100 with a valve, is a valve body 1214 provided, which is attached at one of its ends to the flexible body i40, such that a channel 116 between the interior of the continuous flexible body 140 and the interior 128 consists. That through the body 140 and through the interior 128 enclosed volume is to be regarded as a continuous volume in which the gas may be.

With valve assembly 112, a third embodiment is one Arrangement shown by means of which a valve on the continuous, flexible Body 1140 is attached. In a manner comparable to valve 110 is the valve 112 is also provided with a body 11414, one end of which is at the flexible Body 140 is attached, with a channel 120 between the interior of the body 140 and internal volume 113 of valve 112.

In this embodiment of the invention, however, a membrane is 118 provided above the opening of the channel 120 to allow a gas flow between the continuous, flexible body 140 and the interior of the valve assembly 112 to prevent. the The membrane is selected so that it is strong enough to withstand the ambient pressure in the elastic body, which is weak enough to be destroyed when the pressure exceeds 7 bar, for example. So he has as a result of one Impact on the front of the elastic impact device resulting, increased Pressure causes the membrane 118 to break, whereby the pressurized gas inside the continuous, flexible body 1140 is released into the interior 113. The valve falls inside the valve assembly 112 due to the compression of the body 1144 was opened mechanically, then the compressed gas escapes from the interior of the body 140 through the interior and into the channel 136 to inflate the air bags.

Each valve arrangement can be used with reference to valve 110 in FIG. 1, which essentially comprises a first body 126, which is fixed to the frame 1 of the vehicle with the aid of screws 130 and 132. The valve assembly includes a second body 124 which, in accordance with the compression of the elastic impact device 1140 is movable relative to the first body 126 is. The bodies 124 and 125 are preferably cylindrical in shape and form a closed volume 128, which is pressurized gas during at least a short time. If the compression movement of the second body 124 is sufficiently large in the direction of the first body 126, then the second opens Body 124 mechanically forms a valve between the enclosed volume 128 of the valve and the air ducts 136, in such a way that compressed gas has an air bellows 138 or more such air bellows or can blow out air cushions inside the vehicle.

In-Fig. 2 of the drawing, the valve assembly 110 is open Position shown so that gas from the enclosed area or from the volume 128 can flow into the gas channel 136. According to the illustration, in particular a transverse extending support body 200 is attached to the second body 124 and has, for example, four channels 204, which the gas can pass freely. A guide body 202 is on the support body 200 attached and extends substantially perpendicularly from this parallel to Surface of the second body 124; the guide body 202 can, for example, be a cylinder or another guide device. The valve has a plate 208, which normally fits over opening 212 of channel 136 to prevent that pressurized air flows into the channel 136 when the plate 208 is in position is located. A second guide body 210 extends perpendicular to the plate 208, which is also a cylinder of smaller diameter than cylinder 202 may be to move freely longitudinally within the cylinder 202 can.

A spring 206 is located inside the through the guide body 202 and 210 to the plate 208 opposite the opening 212 hold when the valve is closed. To lift the plate 208 from the opening 212 To be able to practice one or more flap devices an upward one Lifting force on the edges of the plate 208 as the second body 124 moves. For example, a left flap device comprises a lifting or pivoting body 214, which is pivotable by means of a hinge or other bearing device 218 is articulated to a support body 216. A second flap device on the opposite side of the plate 208 has a comparable lifting or pivoting body 220, which by means of a hinge or another bearing device 2.24 is hinged to the support body 222.

If an impact occurs, it will be on the elastic impact device attached second body 124 mechanically displaced in a rearward direction, so that he rests against an edge of the lifting body 214 and thereby this around its axis 218 turns. The opposite edge of the pivot body 214 presses against the edge of plate 208 to lift this edge off opening 212. This allows gas in the channel 136 flow in. The swivel or lifting body lifts in a comparable manner 220 the opposite edge of the valve plate 208 when the second body 124 is squeezed. The valve device can be equipped with a (not shown) Locking means are provided so that the second body 124 is not in a pressureless Condition causing the valve to close, can return as long as sufficient time has not passed to one To allow inflation of the air cushions.

A seal 226 is also located between the first body 126 and the second body 126 and prevents the escape of pressurized gas that located inside the valve.

In Fig. 3, the entire impact air cushion system is in accordance with the invention shown, the elastic damping or. Impact device 100 a continuous, single and rigid front impact body 150 as well as three valve assemblies 108, 110 and 112. The corresponding valves are via channel 136 with connected to the air bags 152 and 160 inside the vehicle.

The air cushion 52 is folded like an accordion and is in a chamber stowed in the dashboard 154. The second air cushion 160 is also accordion-like folded and housed in a chamber in the steering wheel 158. The channel 136 represents (through the steering column 156) a continuous connection to the air cushion 160 and to the air bag 152 without a valve between each air bag and the duct 136 must be provided.

In Fig. 4 is a front view of the dashboard of a vehicle shown, the manner of the.

Accommodation of the air cushion is reproduced. So can in the dashboard 154 behind a pair of doors or flaps 162 and 164 each have a compartment for receiving one be housed folded air cushion. The flaps 162 and 164 are attached to hinges 168 and 166 and are latched and latched. locked so that they cover the folded air cushion. When the air cushion is inflated then the pressure within the air cushion causes the flaps 162 and 164 are opened in such a way that the inflated air bag is inside of the vehicle can extend into it.

In a comparable manner, the air cushion 60 in the steering wheel 158 receiving containers have first and second flaps or doors 170 and 172, which are articulated on hinges 176 and 174. Doors 170 and 172 can be locked to cover the air cushion 160, but it will find an automatic release and releasing the air bag 160 toward the interior of the vehicle when the air bag 160 is inflated.

Alternatively, an air cushion 178 can be disposed across the dashboard 154 as shown by the broken line in Fig. 4; one circumvents it the instruments by folding the air cushion around the instruments.

The air cushion can be held on the dashboard, in which one is a shaped casting or pressed part in which the air cushion is pressed will. In such an arrangement, the air cushion 178 wi7-lxt during a smaller one Impact as a cushioning element before the cushion inflates. The air cushion 178 can with such a shape, for example by means of a V-recess be stored in a molding or it is held with the help of an adhesive.

Of course, an air cushion can also be attached to the Back of a front seat can be attached to the vehicle occupants on the protect rear seat. In this case, the air cushion can be considered integral Be formed part of the front seat.

Although a particular facility would be described by means of which The air cushions that can be stored inside the vehicle are also different other arrangements can be used to not only accommodate the air cushions, but also to move them around these air cushions can also be accommodated in compartments inside the vehicle. Although the Invention on the basis of the above description with reference to two flap mechanisms-for Each valve arrangement is illustrated, the plate 208 of the valve of FIG can also be hinged to one side of the opening 212, i.e. the plate 208 only is raised by a single flap mechanism on one edge or side.

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Claims (12)

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Impact air cushion system, especially for vehicles, for inflating at least one air cushion itl having a rigid frame Vehicle corresponding to release of a certain amount of pressurized gas, characterized in that that the impact air cushion system has an impact device (100, 140), also a non-destructible, mechanically operable valve arrangement; (108, 110, 112), which can be activated according to the movement of the impact device, to pass the predetermined amount of pressurized gas, and that a conduit (136) the released gas passing through the valve assembly if at least one air cushion initiates. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly of at least a valve, characterized in that the valve has a rigid frame (1) attached first body (126), further a second body (124), which when the impact device is compressed relative to the first body (126) is movable wherein the first body and the second body are one Form valve chamber from which the predetermined amount of pressurized gas flows off when the valve assembly is actuated that a first connection to the second body connects to the impact device, and that a second connection connects the first Body connects to the line. 3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the first connection a gas impermeable end portion of the second body which is attached to the impactor is attached, wherein the gas-impermeable end portion a gas flow between the valve chamber and the impact device prevents and the amount of pressurized gas. is stored in the valve chamber. 4. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the impact device consists of a flexible body (140) in which there is pressurized gas. 5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the valve assemblies further comprises at least one pivot body (214) which by an edge portion of the second body is rotatable when the second body according to compression of the Impact device moved by more than a predetermined distance and that one an opening (212) overlying valve plate (208) the beginning of the line (136) and has an edge region which can be lifted off from the opening (212) is when the swing bodies are rotated by the edge portion of the second body. 6. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the compressed gas located in the flexible body, and that the first connection is an end part of the second Body, which is attached to the flexible body, the end portion and the flexible body have a connection between them that a membrane in this connection exists, and that the strength of the membrane is sufficiently small is such that the membrane for the purpose of releasing the compressed gas from the flexible Body bursts into the valve chamber when there is a sudden impact on the elastic Impact device takes place. 7. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the first connection comprises an end portion of the second body to which flexible body is attached, that the end part and the flexible body have a through-going channel, which is a continuous volume including the valve chamber and the interior of the flexible body forms, and that in the continuous volume the predetermined Amount of pressurized gas is located. 8. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least an air cushion under rest conditions in a compactly folded state in a compartment is arranged, and that the air cushion is released when the predetermined amount of pressurized gas passes through the valve assembly. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein weletiem dus T'atlrzeus; a Has steering wheel, characterized in that at least one of the compartments for receiving an air cushion in the steering wheel. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the vehicle has an instrument panel has, characterized in that at least one of the compartments is for receiving an air cushion is located in the dashboard. 11. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least an air cushion prior to its inflation is in a compactly folded configuration that by means of a device-the air cushion in front of a first part of the vehicle the position of the vehicle occupants can be fastened, and that the air cushion acts as a protective cushion serves for the first part of the vehicle before it is inflated. 12. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the Impact device comprises a flexible impact body, and that at least'ein rigid body is attached to the flexible body to protect it during an impact to protect.