CA1080764A - Retention system - Google Patents
Retention systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1080764A CA1080764A CA271,687A CA271687A CA1080764A CA 1080764 A CA1080764 A CA 1080764A CA 271687 A CA271687 A CA 271687A CA 1080764 A CA1080764 A CA 1080764A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- deformation body
- hollow deformation
- gas
- retention system
- air bag
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/23—Inflatable members
- B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
- B60R2021/23169—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration specially adapted for knee protection
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A retention system consisting of an air bag for catching the upper body and the head and of a closed hollow de-formation member arranged underneath the instrument panel for catching the knees of a person seated alongside the driver in a motor vehicle, in which the air bag and the gas-producing installations for the air-bag form together wish the hollow deformation body a structural unit ready for operation.
A retention system consisting of an air bag for catching the upper body and the head and of a closed hollow de-formation member arranged underneath the instrument panel for catching the knees of a person seated alongside the driver in a motor vehicle, in which the air bag and the gas-producing installations for the air-bag form together wish the hollow deformation body a structural unit ready for operation.
Description
7~
The present invention relates to a retention system consisting of an air bag for catching the upper bddy and the head and ~;~ a closed hollow deformation body arranged underneath the instrument panel ~or catching -the knees of a co-driver in a motor vehicle~ especiall~ in a passenger motor vehicle.
In passenger motor vehicles with a deformation body for the knee impact, the accommodation of the air bag for catching the upper body and the head is problematical because an arrange~
ment underneath the instrument panel is then as a rale no longer possible~ The installation of the air bag in the ~nstrument panel remained heretofoYe as the only solution whereby, however, the space for a glove compartment was lost~
It is the task of the present invention to provide an approach which m~kes it possible to accommodate the air bag so space-savingly that space ~or the arrangement of a glove compartment or other storing possibilities in the instrument panel still remain.
To this end, the invention consists of a retention sy~tem for a motor vehicle, the ~etention system comprising an air bag means for catching an upper body and a head of a vehicle passenger, a gas-produoing means for causing a selective inflation of the air bag means and a substantially closed, hollow deformation bod~ymeans being deformable so as to absorb impact energy resulting from an impact k~ees of a passenger thereon, the hollow deform- :.
ation body means i~ ar~anged at least in an area of the~knees of the passenger and extends in a vehicle transverse direction beneath an instrument panel of the motor vehicle, character-ized in that the air bag means, and the gas-producing means are mounted on the hollow deformation body means so as to form an operationally-ready structural unit.
~ ' :' .-. : . , . .. : . . . . ..
, ,. ~ . : . ,:
- : .
such an arrangement permits a rapid exchange and also a subsequent equipment of older vehicles wi th the afore-mentioned retention system.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air bag in case of non-use rests folded together on the top side of the hollow deformation rnember outside of the knee impact area, shielded by a pivotally arranged covering.
The installation space can be further reduced if the top side of the hollow deformation member is recesscd trough-shaped 10 and is provided with reinforcing webs, on which rests the folded-together air bag.
Appropriately, the gas inlet into the air bag can take place through at least one opening in the top side of the hollow deformation member.
According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the gas-producing installation or installations may be mounted outside of the knee impact area at the outer walls, for example, at the side walls of the hollow deformation body acting as diffusor.
However, it is also possible to connect a separate diffusor downstream of each gas-producing installation in the direction of the hollow space of the hollow deformation body.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a small gas cushion inflatable during the unfolding of the bag may be arranged - inside of the air bag serving for the purpose of catching the upper bodyand the head, which small gas cushion is effectively connected in front of the impact area of the hollow deformation body.
The present invention relates to a retention system consisting of an air bag for catching the upper bddy and the head and ~;~ a closed hollow deformation body arranged underneath the instrument panel ~or catching -the knees of a co-driver in a motor vehicle~ especiall~ in a passenger motor vehicle.
In passenger motor vehicles with a deformation body for the knee impact, the accommodation of the air bag for catching the upper body and the head is problematical because an arrange~
ment underneath the instrument panel is then as a rale no longer possible~ The installation of the air bag in the ~nstrument panel remained heretofoYe as the only solution whereby, however, the space for a glove compartment was lost~
It is the task of the present invention to provide an approach which m~kes it possible to accommodate the air bag so space-savingly that space ~or the arrangement of a glove compartment or other storing possibilities in the instrument panel still remain.
To this end, the invention consists of a retention sy~tem for a motor vehicle, the ~etention system comprising an air bag means for catching an upper body and a head of a vehicle passenger, a gas-produoing means for causing a selective inflation of the air bag means and a substantially closed, hollow deformation bod~ymeans being deformable so as to absorb impact energy resulting from an impact k~ees of a passenger thereon, the hollow deform- :.
ation body means i~ ar~anged at least in an area of the~knees of the passenger and extends in a vehicle transverse direction beneath an instrument panel of the motor vehicle, character-ized in that the air bag means, and the gas-producing means are mounted on the hollow deformation body means so as to form an operationally-ready structural unit.
~ ' :' .-. : . , . .. : . . . . ..
, ,. ~ . : . ,:
- : .
such an arrangement permits a rapid exchange and also a subsequent equipment of older vehicles wi th the afore-mentioned retention system.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air bag in case of non-use rests folded together on the top side of the hollow deformation rnember outside of the knee impact area, shielded by a pivotally arranged covering.
The installation space can be further reduced if the top side of the hollow deformation member is recesscd trough-shaped 10 and is provided with reinforcing webs, on which rests the folded-together air bag.
Appropriately, the gas inlet into the air bag can take place through at least one opening in the top side of the hollow deformation member.
According to a further feature of an embodiment of the present invention, the gas-producing installation or installations may be mounted outside of the knee impact area at the outer walls, for example, at the side walls of the hollow deformation body acting as diffusor.
However, it is also possible to connect a separate diffusor downstream of each gas-producing installation in the direction of the hollow space of the hollow deformation body.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a small gas cushion inflatable during the unfolding of the bag may be arranged - inside of the air bag serving for the purpose of catching the upper bodyand the head, which small gas cushion is effectively connected in front of the impact area of the hollow deformation body.
2-In order to prevent a pressure decrease in the gas cushion in case of an impact, all openings in the hollow deformation body which lead to the same, may be covered off by a check val~e flap consisting of flexible material.
These and other features, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, for purposes of illustr-ation only, several embodiments in accordance with the present invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional view through a first embodiment of a hollow deformation body in accordance with the present invention which is suspended under-neath an instrument panel;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, on a reduced ; scale, taken along line II-II of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a second embodiment of a hollow deformation body in accordance with the present invention with gas-generating installations arranged at its back side; and Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a third embodiment of a hollow deformation body in accordance withthe present invention with an additional gas cushion.
Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the various views to designate like parts, and more particularly to Figure 1, reference numeral ; 1 designates a schematically illustrated instrument panel of a passenger motor vehicle, not illustrated in detail. A hollow deformation body 3 extending in the vehicle transverse direct-ion is arranged underneath the instrument panel 1 under inter-connection of a bracket 2; the top side 4 of the hollow de-formation body 3 is thereby indented or drawn-in trough-shaped. A
These and other features, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, for purposes of illustr-ation only, several embodiments in accordance with the present invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional view through a first embodiment of a hollow deformation body in accordance with the present invention which is suspended under-neath an instrument panel;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, on a reduced ; scale, taken along line II-II of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a second embodiment of a hollow deformation body in accordance with the present invention with gas-generating installations arranged at its back side; and Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a third embodiment of a hollow deformation body in accordance withthe present invention with an additional gas cushion.
Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the various views to designate like parts, and more particularly to Figure 1, reference numeral ; 1 designates a schematically illustrated instrument panel of a passenger motor vehicle, not illustrated in detail. A hollow deformation body 3 extending in the vehicle transverse direct-ion is arranged underneath the instrument panel 1 under inter-connection of a bracket 2; the top side 4 of the hollow de-formation body 3 is thereby indented or drawn-in trough-shaped. A
- 3 :.: . . . .
.. ~ .
~' ~ ' ' ' ~ . " , ' . "" -- folded-together air bag 7 which is shlelded against the outside by a covering 6, rests during normal driving operation on reinforcing webs 5 pressed out of the top side 4 or mounted thereon Gas-producing installations 9 (Figure 2) operating on a pyrotechnical basis and of any conventional construction are mounted on ~he side walls 8 of the hollow deformation body 3 which, triggered by a sensor ~not shown~, are ignlted in case of danger by conventional means. The gas which then develops, flows at first into a diffusor, only schematicaLly indicated, cools-off thereat, then 10 . reaches the hollow space 10 (Figure 2) of the ~ioIlow deformation body .
.
3, and subsequently passes over through openings l1 (F~gure l~ pro- -vided in the top side 12 of the hollow deformatlon body 3 Lnto the air , bag 7. The latter unfolds and thereby presses open the covering 6 ; . provided with a film-joint of any conventional construction.
. The embodiment according to Figure 3 corresponds far~reachingly to that of Figures 1 and 2. However, different from the embodiment oE Figures 1 and 2, the gas-producing installations 9 are mounted on the side of the hollow deformation body 3 opposite the knee impact area 13. A diffusor is connected behind or downstream 2 0 of the gas-producing installations 9, which was separated from the remaining hollow space 10 by the installati~ of a wall 15. At least one opening (not shown) leads from the diffusor 14 in the direction of the air bag 7, through which the gases are able to flow in.
;
Figure 4 illustrates a further embocliment in accordance with the present invention at a stage, in which the gas~producing installations tnot shown) have been primed or ignited.
The produced gas stream splits up and flows through openings 11 into the air bag 7 and through openings 16 into a gas cushion 17 connected in front of the knee impact area 13 of the hollow deformation body 3. This gas cushion 17 effects a softer immersion of the knees and a more favorable graduation and adjusting possibility of the thigh~force-time behavior with a reduced cross section of the hollow .~ . .
10 I .~ . deformation body 3. In order to preclude a backflow of the gases out . ~.
- of the gas cushion 17 during loads, all openings 16 are adapted to bQ
-~ automatically closed whereby in the illustrated embodiment, a check valve flap 18 of a flexible material is used for that purposs. . - ~
While we have shown and described several embodiments ~: 15 in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art, and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are encompassed 2 0 by the scope of the appended claims.
' ~ ', ' ~ ' '. :
.. ~ .
~' ~ ' ' ' ~ . " , ' . "" -- folded-together air bag 7 which is shlelded against the outside by a covering 6, rests during normal driving operation on reinforcing webs 5 pressed out of the top side 4 or mounted thereon Gas-producing installations 9 (Figure 2) operating on a pyrotechnical basis and of any conventional construction are mounted on ~he side walls 8 of the hollow deformation body 3 which, triggered by a sensor ~not shown~, are ignlted in case of danger by conventional means. The gas which then develops, flows at first into a diffusor, only schematicaLly indicated, cools-off thereat, then 10 . reaches the hollow space 10 (Figure 2) of the ~ioIlow deformation body .
.
3, and subsequently passes over through openings l1 (F~gure l~ pro- -vided in the top side 12 of the hollow deformatlon body 3 Lnto the air , bag 7. The latter unfolds and thereby presses open the covering 6 ; . provided with a film-joint of any conventional construction.
. The embodiment according to Figure 3 corresponds far~reachingly to that of Figures 1 and 2. However, different from the embodiment oE Figures 1 and 2, the gas-producing installations 9 are mounted on the side of the hollow deformation body 3 opposite the knee impact area 13. A diffusor is connected behind or downstream 2 0 of the gas-producing installations 9, which was separated from the remaining hollow space 10 by the installati~ of a wall 15. At least one opening (not shown) leads from the diffusor 14 in the direction of the air bag 7, through which the gases are able to flow in.
;
Figure 4 illustrates a further embocliment in accordance with the present invention at a stage, in which the gas~producing installations tnot shown) have been primed or ignited.
The produced gas stream splits up and flows through openings 11 into the air bag 7 and through openings 16 into a gas cushion 17 connected in front of the knee impact area 13 of the hollow deformation body 3. This gas cushion 17 effects a softer immersion of the knees and a more favorable graduation and adjusting possibility of the thigh~force-time behavior with a reduced cross section of the hollow .~ . .
10 I .~ . deformation body 3. In order to preclude a backflow of the gases out . ~.
- of the gas cushion 17 during loads, all openings 16 are adapted to bQ
-~ automatically closed whereby in the illustrated embodiment, a check valve flap 18 of a flexible material is used for that purposs. . - ~
While we have shown and described several embodiments ~: 15 in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art, and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are encompassed 2 0 by the scope of the appended claims.
' ~ ', ' ~ ' '. :
Claims (20)
1. A retention system for a motor vehicle, the retention system comprising an air bag means for catching an upper body and a head of a vehicle passenger, a gas-producing means for causing a selective inflation of the air bag means, and a substantially closed, hollow deformation body means being deformable so as to absorb impact energy resulting from an impact of knees of a passenger thereon, the hollow deformation body means is arranged at least in an area of the knees of the passenger and extends in a vehicle transverse direction beneath an instrument panel of the motor vehicle, characterized in that the air bag means, and the gas-producing means are mounted on the hollow deformation body means so as to form an operationally-ready structural unit.
2. A retention system according to claim 1, characterized in that the hollow deformation body means includes a top side, and in that the air bag means, in case of non-use, rests folded-together on the top side of the hollow deformation body means.
3. A retention system according to claim 1, characterized in that the hollow deformation body means includes a top side, the air bag means, in case of a non-use, rests folded-together on the top side of the hollow deformation body means, and in that a cover means is pivotally arranged on the hollow deformation body-means for shielding the air bag means from the outside.
4. A retention system according to claim 1, characterized in that the top side of the hollow deformation body means is provided with a trough-shaped indentation for accommodating a folded-together air bag means, and in that reinforcing webs are provided on the top side of the hollow deformation body means upon which webs rest the folded-together air bag means.
5. A retention system according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one opening is provided in a top side of the hollow deformation body means, the at least one opening communicating with the gas-producing means and forming a gas inlet for the air bag means.
6, A retention system according to claim 5, characterized in that the hollow deformation body means includes outer walls, and in that the gas-producing means are mounted outside of a knee impact area on said outer walls of the hollow deformation body means.
7. A retention system according to claim 6, characterized in that the gas-producing means are mounted on outer walls of the hollow deformation body means outside of a knee impact area, and in that at least a portion of the hollow deformation body means acts as a diffusor.
8. A retention system according to claim 7, characterized in that the outer walls are lateral walls of the hollow deformation body means.
9. A retention system according to claim 6, characterized in that a separator diffusor is connected downstream of the gas-producing means in a direction of a hollow space of the hollow deformation body means,
10. A retention system according to claim 6, characterized in that a small gas cushion is arranged inside of the air bag means, the small gas cushion is inflatable during an unfolding of the air bag means so as to be disposed in front of a knee impact area of the hollow deformation body means thereby providing a soft impact at the hollow deformation body means.
11. A retention system according to claim 10, characterized in that the hollow deformation body means is provided with a plurality of openings for supplying a gas to the gas cushion, and in that check valve means are provided for preventing a backflow of the gas from the gas cushion.
12. A retention system according to claim 11, characterized in that the check valve means consists of flexible material.
13. A retention system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one opening is provided in the hollow deformation body means, the at least one opening communicating with the gas-producing means and forming a gas inlet for the air bag means.
14. A retention system according to claim 1, characterized in that the hollow deformation body means includes outer walls, and in that the gas-producing means are mounted outside of a knee impact area an said outer walls of the hollow deformation body means.
15. A retention system according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas-producing means are mounted on outer walls of the hollow deformation body means outside a knee impact area, and in that at least a portion of the hollow deformation body means acts as a diffusor.
16. A retention system according to claim 15, characterized in that said outer walls are lateral walls of the hollow deformation body means.
17. A retention system according to claim 14, characterized in that a separate diffusor is connected downstream of the gas-producing means in a direction of a hollow space of the hollow deformation body means.
18. A retention system according to claim 1, characterized in that a small gas cushion is arranged inside of the air bag means, the small gas cushion is inflatable during an unfolding of the air bag means so as to be disposed in front of a knee impact area of the hollow deformation body means, thereby providing a softer impact at the hollow deformation body means.
19. A retention system according to claim 10, characterized in that the hollow deformation body means is provided with a plurality of openings for supplying a gas to the gas cushion, and in that check valve means are provided for preventing a backflow of the gas from the gas cushion.
20. A retention system according to claim 19, characterized in that the check valve means consists of flexible material.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19762606641 DE2606641A1 (en) | 1976-02-19 | 1976-02-19 | Compact mounting for airbag system - uses hollow crush member under bottom edge of dashboard to protect knees of occupant |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1080764A true CA1080764A (en) | 1980-07-01 |
Family
ID=5970288
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA271,687A Expired CA1080764A (en) | 1976-02-19 | 1977-02-14 | Retention system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1080764A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2606641A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5842717A (en) * | 1996-06-29 | 1998-12-01 | Volkswagen Ag | Motor vehicle occupant protection arrangement |
| US5971431A (en) * | 1996-10-10 | 1999-10-26 | Volkswagen Ag | Airbag arrangement for motor vehicles |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3934588C2 (en) * | 1989-10-17 | 1994-02-10 | Audi Ag | Restraint system with a hollow deformation element for the knees of a motor vehicle occupant |
| DE19703430A1 (en) * | 1997-01-30 | 1998-08-06 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Knee protection system for the passenger in passenger cars |
| DE19714174C2 (en) * | 1997-03-21 | 2003-09-11 | Takata Petri Ag | Method and device for folding an airbag |
| US6276713B1 (en) * | 2000-05-01 | 2001-08-21 | Textron Automotive Company Inc. | Passenger protection apparatus for a motor vehicle |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3768830A (en) * | 1970-09-23 | 1973-10-30 | Eaton Corp | Vehicle knee bag |
| DE2151599C2 (en) * | 1971-10-16 | 1984-05-17 | Daimler-Benz Ag, 7000 Stuttgart | Shock absorbing knee protection device for vehicle occupants |
-
1976
- 1976-02-19 DE DE19762606641 patent/DE2606641A1/en active Granted
-
1977
- 1977-02-14 CA CA271,687A patent/CA1080764A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5842717A (en) * | 1996-06-29 | 1998-12-01 | Volkswagen Ag | Motor vehicle occupant protection arrangement |
| US5971431A (en) * | 1996-10-10 | 1999-10-26 | Volkswagen Ag | Airbag arrangement for motor vehicles |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE2606641A1 (en) | 1977-08-25 |
| DE2606641C2 (en) | 1988-10-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |