DE102004033012B4 - Motor vehicle with a curtain airbag - Google Patents

Abstract

motor vehicle with a curtain airbag (10) with at least one of a circumferential Edge (14a) enclosed side walls enclosed Main chamber (12), wherein the peripheral edge (14 a) an upper portion (10a) with means of attachment and a built in, expanded state extending from the upper region (10a) downwards Front region (10b), characterized in that front portion (10b), a hose (18) is arranged, which is in the unexpanded state into the main chamber (12) extends into it and is pushed out upon pressurization of the main chamber from this and another chamber forms, which connects to the main chamber is, wherein the hose (18) in the expanded state substantially in front of the A-pillar of the motor vehicle.

Description

The The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a curtain airbag after the preamble of claim 1.

In many modern motor vehicles, there is a task distribution of the airbag systems used (airbags) to protect the front seat occupant as follows:
In the steering wheel and in the area of the glove box is in each case a pillow-shaped airbag, which catches the head and chest area of an occupant in a frontal collision. Furthermore, in the area of the roof pillars, there is arranged a two-sided, curtain-walled airbag system which is intended primarily to prevent the head of an occupant from coming into contact with a side window or the B pillar in the event of a side impact. For this purpose, the headliner in the region of the roof spar on a predetermined breaking line through which enters the expanding curtain airbag in the interior of the vehicle.

A problematic constellation often arises in this case a laterally staggered frontal collision, which can happen that the head of a front seat occupant both the pillow-shaped airbag (Front airbag) as well as the curtain gas bag misses or at the surface slides along so that it comes in contact with the A-pillar can. This can happen especially if the inmate is not is belted.

It there are currently efforts to improve occupant protection in this particular accident situation. There is the possibility here the constructive change the front airbags or a constructive change the curtain airbags.

The latter way, for example, in the EP 0 832 795 B1 trodden. In this document, a curtain airbag is described which has an additional chamber which inflates immediately in front of the A-pillar and is held in position by a tether. In this arrangement, therefore, there is a gas bag chamber immediately in front of the A-pillar, whereby a striking of the head of the occupant can be prevented on the A-pillar.

Disadvantageous in the EP 0 832 795 B1 described protection device is that the curtain gas bag must extend beyond the inner lining of the A-pillar, the inner lining of the A-pillar having a predetermined breaking point, through which the airbag emerges during expansion. As a result, the installation of the side airbag compared to previous curtain airbags significantly more difficult.

From the JP abstract to JP 2003-095052 A a curtain airbag is known in which a part of one of the chambers is everted.

The DE 195 22 765 A1 shows an airbag module, in which an air outlet opening at the end of a tubular extension sits on the airbag, which is invaded in the unfilled state of the airbag in this. This is intended to ensure that the effective opening cross-section releases after activation with a time delay. In the filled state, this hose-like portion extends from a lower edge of the gas bag down.

outgoing From this prior art, it is an object of the invention, a generic protective device for vehicle occupants or to develop a corresponding motor vehicle in such a way that simplifies the installation of the curtain gas bag and still a good protection of the occupant in a lateral frontal impact is achieved.

These The object is achieved by a motor vehicle having the features of the claim 1 solved.

The The invention comprises a curtain airbag with a hose, the in the unexpanded state from a front area in the main chamber of the curtain gas bag extends. Here is this Hose with the outer shell of the curtain gas bag connected. In the unexpanded state, the tube protrudes "like an inverted Glove "in the Main chamber of the curtain gas bag into it. It follows that the outer dimensions of the curtain gas bag in the unexpanded state do not differ from a previous curtain airbag, so that this in usual Way in the vehicle can be mounted. In particular it is possible the curtain gas bag exclusively in the area of the roof spar.

Becomes now the curtain gas bag associated with the gas generator is actuated the hose in an everting motion pushed out of the main chamber and forms another chamber, which is connected to the main chamber is. The curtain airbag is arranged in the vehicle so that this additional chamber in front of the A-pillar of the vehicle, causing a collision of the occupant's head with the A-pillar is prevented.

Normally, curtain airbags are activated only in the event of a side impact or a rollover. However, since the curtain airbag with the improvement according to the invention protect the occupant even in a frontal collision or a laterally offset frontal collision should, is preferably provided according to claims 2 or 3, a corresponding control.

To Claim 4 is a trigger even in a frontal collision or a laterally offset frontal collision suppressed when the occupant is strapped, there is a danger of being hit of the head on the A-pillar usually does not exist and unnecessary tripping should of course be avoided.

The Invention will now be described with reference to an embodiment with reference to the figures explained in more detail. in this connection demonstrate:

1 A top view of a curtain airbag,

2 the attached in a motor vehicle curtain airbag 1 in a unrolled, but not yet fully expanded state in a longitudinal section,

3 the gas bag off 2 during the expansion and

4 the gas bag from the 2 and 3 in a fully expanded state.

1 shows a curtain airbag according to the invention 10 , The curtain airbag 10 consists essentially of two side walls, which in the connecting region shown hatched 14 interconnected, for example, sewn. From the connection area 14 through a seam 15 delimited is the compartmentalized main chamber 12 which forms a coherent gas space. Part of the connection area 14 forms the encircling edge 14a , In the upper area 10a the curtain gas bag 10 are on the one hand mounting holes 11 , which are used to arrange the curtain gas bag in the vehicle, as well as the gas inlet 16 for receiving a gas generator.

In a front area 10b shows the outer shell of the curtain gas bag 10 an opening in the circumferential surface of the hose 18 is sewn. The opening in the Hüllwandung is thereby closed to the outside. The hose can be used as a separate element with the curtain airbag 10 sewn or in a weaving process are made in one piece with this.

Im in 1 illustrated unexpanded state, the hose extends 18 in the main chamber 12 into it, with a first surface 18a of the hose in the direction of the main chamber 12 shows. From this perspective, from the outside invisible hose 18 is in 1 shown in dashed lines.

2 shows the built-in vehicle curtain airbag 1 in a longitudinal section. Through the mounting holes 11 extend fasteners 13 holding the curtain airbag 10 connect with the roof spar H. Furthermore, the gas generator 20 shown. 2 shows the curtain gas bag 10 in a unrolled or unfolded but not yet expanded state.

As in 3 shown, a force acts on the hose with increasing internal pressure 18 so that it is turned outwards. By this everting then points the first surface 18a inside. At the in 4 shown complete expansion is the hose 18 completely turned outwards and is passed along the A-pillar A of the motor vehicle, before it applies to these to cover the upper area. The desired protection of the occupant is thus achieved.

The inside turned tube 18 may be secured for transport purposes or for delayed deployment by a tear seam in the invaginated state.

10

Curtain airbag

10a

upper Area

10b

front Area

12

main chamber

14

connecting area

14a

surrounding edge

16

gas inlet

18

tube

18a

first surface

18b

second surface

20

inflator

H

roof rail

A

A column

Claims (4)

Motor vehicle with a curtain gas bag ( 10 ) with at least one of over a peripheral edge ( 14a ) interconnected side walls enclosed main chamber ( 12 ), whereby the peripheral edge ( 14a ) an upper area ( 10a ) with means for attachment and in the installed, expanded state from the upper area ( 10a ) downwardly extending front area ( 10b ), characterized in that at the front ( 10b ) a hose ( 18 ) is arranged in the non-expanded state in the main chamber ( 12 ) and when the main chamber is pressurized, it is pushed out of it and another chamber which is connected to the main chamber, wherein the hose ( 18 ) in the expanded state substantially in front of the A-pillar of the motor vehicle. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the curtain airbag ( 10 ) is activated in a frontal impact. Motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the curtain airbag ( 10 ) is activated in a sensed laterally offset frontal impact. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the curtain airbag only at a unbelted occupant is activated.