DE102011001777A1 - Safety system for door area of motor vehicle, has rod body displaced in motor vehicle longitudinal direction, where end section is transferred from passive position within door in active position by displacement of rod body - Google Patents

Abstract

The safety system (A) has a rod body (12) that is displaced in a motor vehicle longitudinal direction in a partial manner. An end section (15,16) is transferred from a passive position within a door (10,11) in an active position by the displacement of the rod body. The end section is engaged in the active position in a receiver (17-20) of an adjacent vehicle pillar (4,5,6) of the motor vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a safety system for the door region of a motor vehicle, which has a arranged in a door of the motor vehicle, in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) oriented rod body, wherein the rod body has an end portion for engagement in a receptacle of an adjacent vehicle pillar.

Rod assemblies as side impact protection in the form of so-called side or door impact beams to reduce the burden on the occupants in traffic accidents, especially in lateral collisions, are known. The EP 1 186 453 A1 describes a side impact beam, which consists of a cross-hat-shaped profile of sheet metal. The end portions are widened towards the end faces. The side impact beam according to the EP 1 266 780 A1 has a trapezoidal cross-section with ramp-like end portions and end-side attachment areas.

By the EP 1 201 474 A1 a side impact beam is known, which has an angled towards the door pillar at a door column side end portion. This engages with the door closed in an engaging pocket of the door pillar and thus forms a second positive connection in addition to the lock connection of the vehicle door. As a result, a higher lateral stiffness and thus a higher energy absorption capacity in the event of a side impact is achieved. The well-known proposal is a technologically innovative approach. However, the hook on the end portion of the rod body projects laterally relative to the gate in order to be able to engage in the pocket in the door pillar. As a result, the hook represents a constructive restriction that does not bring the best prerequisites in the overall concept of a door area.

The invention is therefore based on the object functionally to improve a security system for the door area of a motor vehicle as well as in the utilization of the available space.

The solution of this problem consists according to the invention in a security system according to the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the rod body is at least partially displaceable in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction). Due to the displacement of the rod body, the end portion is transferred from a passive position within the door into an active position and engages in a receptacle of the adjacent vehicle pillar.

The end section is preferably transferred in the event of a side crash into the locking position, ie the active position. It comes here to a positive connection between the rod body or its end portion and the vehicle pillar. As a result, the lateral rigidity is increased and the energy absorption capacity significantly increased in a side impact. In addition, a stiffening in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle is achieved, which is advantageous in a frontal impact. By locking the rod body in the vehicle columns or in the axial direction (x-direction) in the active position of the safety system, the force or energy coming from the bumper and side member can be forwarded via a stable additional load path. In the passive position, the rod body is inside the door without protruding laterally opposite the door. As a result, structural changes in the door area are small. In the door, a clearance or opening for the passage of the end portion of the rod body must be provided laterally. In the adjacent door pillar, a receptacle for engagement of the end portion is formed. The receptacle can be designed for example in the form of a pocket or a depression. The receptacle is configured such that in the active position locking of the rod body or its end portion takes place in the vehicle x direction and in the vehicle y direction.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the basic concept of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims 2 to 10.

The rod body is conveniently guided guided within the door. For guidance, the rod body can be arranged in a channel or in one or more guide components. The rod body can also be part of a cylinder-like locking unit, in which the rod body is movable in the manner of a piston in a tubular chamber or a cylinder.

The safety system according to the invention can be designed to be passive or active. In a passive safety system, the rod body is configured so that the end portions are brought in a side impact by the contour and / or configuration of the rod body itself from the passive position to the active position, without requiring a separate, activatable actuator or actuator requires. In an active safety system, an actuator is provided which ensures the displacement of the rod body or the end portion of the passive position to the active position.

The rod body may be in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction) to the outside have directed thrust section. Preferably, the thrust portion is convexly curved outwardly. In a side impact, the pushing section is contacted by the impacting object, such as a motor vehicle, and the pushing section is displaced inwardly by the external lateral force. This movement is converted by the contour of the rod body in an axial movement of the rod body, whereby at least one end portion of the rod body is displaced into the receptacle. This results in a side impact to an additional stiffening of the door area and an increase in energy absorption capacity.

An active system has the additional advantage that it can be automatically transferred to the active position even at a certain speed and / or acceleration. Of the more valuable, it is advantageous that after a side impact the active security system automatically returns to the passive position. This can be time-controlled and / or speed-controlled and / or delay-controlled.

In a further embodiment, the rod body is displaceable by an actuator in the active position. The actuator can be an electromechanical, an electrochemical or a pyrotechnic actuator, for example a gas generator. Such an active safety system also includes the necessary control and regulating components for triggering the actuator and transferring the rod body into the active position, including an in-crash sensor system. The security system preferably comprises a pre-crash sensor system. This detects an imminent impact and triggers the safety system, even before it comes to a contact of the motor vehicle with the obstacle.

However, the rod body can also be displaced into the active position as a function of an operating state of the motor vehicle. The operating state may be the ignition state of the engine, the vehicle speed and / or the vehicle acceleration and / or the locking state of a central locking system. For example, when the ignition is switched on, the end section of the rod body can be displaced into the active position and thus permanently locked during operation of the vehicle. Once the ignition of the engine is issued, the rod body is deactivated and the lock released. The bar body is in the passive position and the door can be easily opened and closed.

Appropriately, the rod body engages with both end portions in a receptacle on the respectively adjacent vehicle pillar. This ensures a particularly high stiffening of the door area and a correspondingly high side impact safety. The receptacle is configured and designed such that a locking of the rod sections in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) and in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction) is ensured to the outside. For this purpose, the receptacle has suitable abutment surfaces, stops or blocking bodies. Appropriately, the contour of the end portions and the contour of the receptacles are complementary to each other, so that in the active position a positive locking of the rod body or its end portions is ensured in the recording.

The rod body may have two rod sections, which are interconnected by a coupling member. The coupling member is in particular designed so that the rod sections are displaced by an active or passive movement of the coupling member and so the end portions are moved to the active position, whereby the rod body locks with its end portions in the receptacles of the adjacent vehicle pillars.

The coupling member may be an actuator, such as an electric motor, which is technically geared to the coupling members in connection.

The invention is described below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. Each shows schematically and technically simplified:

1 to 4 a first embodiment of a security system according to the invention;

5 and 6 a second embodiment of a security system according to the invention;

7 and 8th a third embodiment of a security system according to the invention;

9 and 10 a fourth embodiment of a security system according to the invention;

11 a section of the area of a B-pillar in a horizontal sectional view;

12 schematically the side wall of a motor vehicle in a side view and

13a and b the rod body of the security system in the passive position ( 13a ) and in the asset position ( 13b ).

Corresponding components and component components are in all 1 to 13 provided with the same reference numerals.

Based on 1 to 4 a first embodiment of a security system A according to the invention is described.

The 2 and 3 show schematically a motor vehicle 1 , With 2 and 3 are the side walls designated. In the 1 and 4 you can see three supporting vehicle pillars 4 . 5 and 6 of the motor vehicle 1 that the roof area 7 with the body substructure 8th connect. The vehicle pillars 4 . 5 . 6 are called from front to back consecutive letters. The A-pillar 4 is the connection between the vehicle roof and the front bulkhead. The B-pillar 5 is the connection between the vehicle floor and vehicle roof in the middle of the passenger compartment 9 , The C-pillar 6 is the connection between the vehicle roof and fenders (rear side wall) at the rear of the vehicle.

Between the A-pillar 4 and the B-pillar 5 is a front door 10 arranged. Between the B-pillar 5 and the C-pillar 6 there is a rear door 11 ,

The safety system A serves to increase the lateral rigidity of the door area of the motor vehicle 1 and increases the energy absorption capacity in the event of a side impact. The security system A includes one in a door 10 respectively. 11 of the motor vehicle 1 arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) (arrow x) oriented rod body 12 , The bar body 12 has a middle, in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction) (arrow y) outward thrust section 13 on, the door outside wall 14 is convexly curved (see, in particular 2 ). Each end closes to the push section 13 an end section 15 . 16 of the rod body 12 at.

In the 2 and 3 the security system A is only for the door area of the front door 10 shown. It is understood that a security system A on all doors of the motor vehicle 1 can be provided.

In the case of a side impact, in the 3 is indicated by the arrow S, the convexly curved thrust portion 13 of the rod body 12 towards the passenger compartment 9 of the motor vehicle 1 shifted, ie in the y direction. This movement is in the bar body 12 implemented in an at least partially movement of the rod body 12 in the x direction and leads to a guided displacement of the end sections 15 . 16 of the rod body 12 in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction). The end sections 15 . 16 be through the displacement of the rod body 12 from a liability position I as in the 1 and 2 shown inside the door 10 . 11 into an active position II transferred. In the active position II grab the end sections 15 . 16 in a recording 17 . 18 . 19 . 20 one, each in the adjacent vehicle pillar 4 . 5 . 6 of the motor vehicle 1 is provided. This increases the lateral stiffness of the door area and increases the energy absorption capacity in the event of a side impact.

In the passive position 1 is the rod body 12 perfectly inside the door 10 . 11 recorded and not visible from the outside. For the displacement of the end sections 15 . 16 of the rod body 12 from the liability position 1 inside the door 10 . 11 into the active position II are in the pages 21 . 22 the doors 10 . 11 clearances 23 provided that the passage of the end sections 15 . 16 and the engagement with the respective end portion 15 . 16 cooperative recording 17 - 20 enable.

The security system B, as in the 5 and 6 is exemplified by the door area of the front door 10 explained. The safety system B comprises a rod body oriented in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) 24 , The bar body 24 has two short bar sections 25 . 26 on, by an elastic coupling member 27 connected to each other. The configuration and contour of the coupling link 27 is designed so that the coupling link 27 acts as a pushing section. Advantageously, the elastic coupling member 27 designed in lightweight construction and absorbs substantially no deformation energy in a side impact, but only serves to control the rod sections 25 . 26 , As in particular on the basis of 5 to recognize, has the coupling member 27 two outwardly in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction) directed leg 28 . 29 ,

In a side impact, as indicated by the arrow S in the 5 indicated, the coupling element 27 inside towards the passenger compartment 9 postponed. This will cause the bar sections 25 . 26 each shifted in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) in the image plane to the left or right. By the displacement of the rod body 24 or the rod section 25 . 26 become the end sections 30 . 31 from the liability position 1 inside the door 10 into an active position II transferred and grab in the recordings 17 - 20 in the adjacent vehicle pillar 4 respectively. 5 one.

In the security system C, as based on the 7 and 8th is explained, in turn, in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) oriented rod body 32 provided, the one end section 33 for engaging in a recording 18 a neighboring vehicle pillar 5 having. The bar body 32 is in the manner of a piston or a piston rod in a guide in the form of a cylinder 34 displaced. The 7 shows the passive position 1 of the rod body 32 at. Within the passive position I is the bar body 32 completely in the door 10 ,

In the case of a side impact according to the arrow S, as in 8th shown, the safety system C is activated and the rod body 32 in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) in its active position II relocated. The shift becomes the end section 33 of the rod body 32 from the liability position I inside the door 10 into the active position II transferred and engages in the recording 17 the adjacent vehicle pillar 5 one. The activation of the rod body 32 takes place by means of an actuator 35 in the form of a gas generator. Expediently, the security system C comprises a pre-crash sensor system, which determines an impending side impact and triggers the security system C. The triggering of the safety system C is also possible by means of an in-crash sensor, which at the moment of an impact the actuator 35 ignites and the rod body 32 transferred to the asset position.

A further embodiment of a security system D for the door or the door areas of a motor vehicle 1 show the 9 and 10 , Each in the front door 10 and in the back door 11 is a rod body extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) 36 intended. The 9 shows the passive position I the rod body 36 , The 10 shows the active position II the rod body 36 , Every bar body 36 includes two bar sections 37 . 38 passing through a coupling link 39 are in operative relationship with each other, wherein the coupling member 39 an active adjustment of the rod sections 37 . 38 allows and therefore acts as an actor. The rod bodies 36 or the bar sections 37 . 38 are in a channel-like guide 40 held and displaceable in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction). It can also be seen here that in the vehicle pillars 4 . 5 . 6 Recordings 17 - 20 are provided, in which the rod body 36 with their end sections 41 . 42 at the ends of the bar sections 37 . 38 engage after a shift and so the lateral stiffness and the energy absorption capacity of the motor vehicle 1 in the door area in the event of a side impact.

The bar body 36 works in its active position II as additional reinforcement of the vehicle structure for side impact and frontal impact. By coupling with the vehicle pillars 4 . 5 . 6 become the bar sections 37 . 38 between A-pillar 4 and B-pillar 5 or B-pillar 5 and C-pillar 6 essentially free from movement in all directions.

Another advantage of this embodiment is that even in the case of a frontal impact, an improvement in the overall stability of the motor vehicle is achieved, characterized in that in the active position II located rod body 36 the individual vehicle pillars 4 . 5 . 6 connects in their middle vertical sections, thereby enabling an optimal distribution of force. It is advantageous if the locking of the rod body 36 in the active position II is designed so that a load or force transmission over the or the rod body 36 he follows.

The activation of the rod body 36 takes place in the event of a side impact by a sensor that detects the side impact and the coupling links 39 (Actuators) actuated. This will cause the bar sections 37 . 38 shifted in the image plane to the left or to the right, as in the 10 shown is the active position II the rod body 36 shows.

The activation of the rod body 36 by means of the coupling links 39 can be done mechanically, for example by a spring, or electromechanically by means of a motor with actuating gear or electrochemical or pyrotechnic. For example, a rotary movement for setting or transfer of the rod sections 37 . 38 into the active position II possible. Particularly advantageous, however, is a linearly activated and guided embodiment, wherein a load transfer by an appropriate locking of the end portions 41 . 42 in the recordings 17 - 20 can be produced.

In a possible embodiment of the security system D, the rod body 36 depending on the ignition state of the engine of the motor vehicle from the passive position 1 into the active position II be relocatable. When the ignition of the internal combustion engine is turned on, the end sections 41 . 42 the rod body 36 through the coupling member 39 into the active position II transferred during the operation of the vehicle in the recordings 17 - 20 the neighboring vehicle pillars 4 . 5 . 6 engage and lock. The coupling link 39 consists of an actuator in the form of an electric motor with associated gear, such as a worm gear. When the ignition of the engine is off, the locking state is released and the rod body 36 from the asset position II into the passive position 1 moved back. As a result, the lock is released.

Alternatively it can be provided that the displacement of the rod body 36 or the bar sections 37 . 38 into the active position II can be activated by other vehicle data or operating states of the motor vehicle, for example, as a function of the vehicle speed, the vehicle acceleration or the locking state of a central locking.

The 11 shows technically highly schematic in a horizontal sectional view of a section of a vehicle pillar, such as a B-pillar 5 , One recognizes a left and a right bar body 43 , in the asset position shown here II in recordings 44 . 45 in the B-pillar 5 intervention. The pictures 44 . 45 are configured to lock the end sections 46 . 47 the rod body 43 in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) and in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction) is ensured to the outside. It can be seen that in the shots 44 . 45 wedge-shaped abutment sections 48 are formed. The end sections 46 . 47 have complementary to the abutment sections 48 trained end-face wedge surfaces 49 , By coupling the end sections 46 . 47 in the recordings 44 . 45 the B-pillar 5 are the rod bodies 43 in the active position II essentially free of movement in all directions.

The 12 schematically shows the side wall of a motor vehicle with a safety system D, as shown in the 9 and 10 explained. The components or component components are therefore provided with the same reference numerals. On the description of 9 and 10 will be referred. In addition, in the 12 the upper side member 50 , the lower side member 51 and the bumper assembly 52 represented with a bumper cross member 53 who was talking about crashboxing 54 on the lower side rails 51 supported.

The 12 serves to explain the power flow in the event of a frontal impact from the front. The power flow is illustrated by the dotted lines. The safety system D is activated and the bar bodies 36 or the bar sections 37 . 38 with their end sections 41 . 42 in the recordings 17 - 20 locked. The rod bodies 36 connect the vehicle pillars 4 . 5 . 6 in axial direction (x-direction) in addition to body substructure 8th (Sill) and roof area 7 (Roof frame). The force or energy in a frontal collision can thus come from the bumper and side member via a stable additional load path through the rod body 36 to get redirected. The safety system D creates over the bar bodies 36 an additional middle load path mLP next to the lower load path uLP via the sill 8th and the upper load path oLP above the roof frame 7 ,

The 13a and b show an arrangement for displacing the bar sections 37 . 38 a rod body 36 in a modification of the security system D.

The 13a shows the passive position 1 , the 13b shows the active position 11 of safety system D. The rod body 36 includes two bar sections 37 . 38 passing through a coupling link 39 are connected. The end sections 41 . 42 are articulated with the bar sections 37 . 38 connected and in a leadership 55 stored.

The coupling link 39 includes a crank disc 56 at which the bar sections 37 . 38 with their ends 57 diametrically opposite are articulated. The crank disc 56 is in the passive position 1 by a via a spring element 58 loaded locking body 59 held in a pawl 60 the crank disc 56 intervenes.

Upon activation of the safety system D in the event of a side or frontal impact, the lock will be blocked by the lock body 58 lifted and the bar body 36 into the active position II relocated. Here are the bar sections 37 . 38 by a rotational movement of the crank disc 56 axially displaced in the x direction of the vehicle and take a stretched position. Here are the end sections 41 . 42 each shifted in the image plane to the left or right and in the locking position in a here only hinted representation recording 17 . 18 transferred.

It is also possible to reverse the above-described locking principle, in which case the locking body engages in the active position in a complementarily arranged pawl of the crank disc and thus locks the rod body.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

motor vehicle

2

Side wall

3

Side wall

4

A column

5

B-pillar

6

C-pillar

7

roof

8th

body base

9

cabin

10

front door

11

back door

12

rod body

13

thrust portion

14

outer wall

15

End section v. 12

16

End section v. 12

17

admission

18

admission

19

admission

20

admission

21

Page v. 10 respectively. 11

22

Page v. 10 respectively. 11

23

franking

24

rod body

25

slug

26

slug

27

coupling member

28

leg

29

leg

30

end

31

end

32

rod body

33

End section v. 32

34

cylinder

35

actuator

36

rod body

37

slug

38

slug

39

coupling member

40

guide

41

end

42

end

43

rod body

44

admission

45

admission

46

end

47

end

48

Abutment portion

49

wedge surface

50

upper side member

51

lower side member

52

bumper assembly

53

Bumper crossmember

54

crash box

55

guide

56

crank

57

End of v. 37 respectively. 38

58

spring element

59

blocking body

60

pawl

I

Passive position of A-D

II

Active position of A-D

A

security system

B

security system

C

security system

D

security system

ULP

lower load path

MLP

middle load path

OLP

upper load path

Arrow S

side impact

Arrow x

Motor vehicle longitudinal direction

Arrow y

Motor vehicle transverse direction

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

• EP 1186453 A1 [0002]
• EP 1266780 A1 [0002]
• EP 1201474 A1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Security system for the door area of a motor vehicle, which has one in a door ( 10 . 11 ) of the motor vehicle arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) oriented rod body ( 12 ; 24 ; 32 ; 35 ), wherein the rod body ( 12 ; 24 ; 32 ; 36 ; 43 ) an end portion ( 15 . 16 ; 30 . 31 ; 33 ; 41 . 42 ; 46 ; 47 ) for engaging in a recording ( 17 - 20 ; 44 . 45 ) of a neighboring vehicle pillar ( 4 . 5 . 6 ), characterized in that the rod body ( 12 ; 24 ; 32 ; 36 ; 43 ) at least in sections in Kraftfahrzeuglängsrchtung (x-direction) is displaceable, wherein the end portion ( 15 . 16 ; 30 . 31 ; 33 ; 41 . 42 . 46 . 47 ) by the displacement of the rod body ( 12 ; 24 ; 32 ; 36 . 43 ) from a liability position ( I ) inside the door ( 10 . 11 ) into an active position ( II ) and in the asset position ( II ) into the recording ( 17 - 20 ; 44 . 45 ) of the adjacent vehicle pillar ( 4 . 5 . 6 ) engages the motor vehicle. Safety system according to claim 1, characterized in that the rod body ( 12 ; 24 ) in the vehicle transverse direction (y-direction) outwardly directed thrust section ( 13 ) owns. Safety arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the pushing section ( 13 ) to the door outer wall ( 14 ) runs convexly curved. Safety system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rod body ( 32 ; 36 ; 43 ) by an actuator ( 35 ; 39 ) into the asset position ( II ) is displaceable. Safety system according to claim 4, characterized in that an electromechanical, an electrochemical or a pyrotechnic actuator ( 35 ) is used. Safety system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rod body ( 36 ) in dependence on an operating state of the motor vehicle in the active position ( II ) is displaceable. Safety system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rod body ( 12 ; 24 ; 36 ; 43 ) two end sections ( 15 . 16 ; 30 . 31 ; 41 . 42 ; 46 . 47 ) and each end section ( 15 . 16 ; 30 . 31 ; 41 . 42 ; 46 . 47 ) into a recording ( 17 - 20 ; 44 . 45 ) in the respectively adjacent vehicle pillar ( 4 . 5 . 6 ) is displaceable. Safety system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the rod body ( 24 ; 35 ) two rod sections ( 24 . 25 ; 36 . 37 ), which by a coupling member ( 27 ; 39 ) are interconnected. Safety system according to claim 8, characterized in that the coupling member ( 39 ) is an actor. Safety system according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rod body ( 12 ; 24 ; 32 ; 36 ; 43 ) in the door ( 10 . 11 ) is at least partially stored in a guide.

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