DE102022212603A1 - Pyrotechnic-free belt tensioner - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for tightening a seat belt of a vehicle occupant immediately before an accident, comprising the following steps:- detecting (S1) an accident situation by means of an accident sensor;- releasing (S2) a locking device of a vehicle seat such that the vehicle seat can move linearly;- ensuring (S3) a displacement of the vehicle seat such that slack in an associated seat belt is reduced.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for tightening a seat belt of a vehicle occupant and an arrangement for reducing slack in a seat belt of a vehicle occupant.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Pyrotechnic belt tensioners are well known. For example, the EN 10 2010 051 419 A1 a pyrotechnic belt tensioner. Pyrotechnic activation involves a number of risks, e.g. the lack of the possibility of reversible activation, high operating temperatures in the micro gas generators and the associated risk of ignition in the vehicle interior, risks in handling the pyrotechnics, risks of the reaction product of the propellant reaction and the uncontrolled release of energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of specifying a pyrotechnic-free belt tensioner.

• - ein Verfahren zum Straffen eines Sicherheitsgurts eines Fahrzeuginsassen unmittelbar vor einem Unfall mit den folgenden Schritten: Erkennen einer Unfallsituation mittels einer Unfallsensorik; Lösen einer Arretierung eines Fahrzeugsitzes, derart dass der Fahrzeugsitz linear beweglich ist; Gewährleisten einer Verschiebung des Fahrzeugsitzes, derart dass Gurtlose eines zugehörigen Sicherheitsgurts reduziert werden; sowie
• - eine Anordnung zum Reduzieren von Gurtlosen eines Sicherheitsgurts eines Fahrzeuginsassen vor einer Kollision mit einem Fahrzeugsitz, einem Sicherheitsgurt, einem Blockiermechanismus, der verhindert, dass Sicherheitsgurt ausgegeben wird, wenn eine bevorstehende Kollision erkannt wurde, einer lösbaren Arretierung zur Arretierung des Fahrzeugsitzes; einer Führung, entlang welcher der Fahrzeugsitz linear verschieblich ist; einem Betätigungsmittel, welches mittels einer Unfallsensorik aktivierbar ist, wobei das Betätigungsmittel eingerichtet ist, die Arretierung des Fahrzeugsitzes zu lösen, derart dass sich der Fahrzeugsitz aufgrund seiner Trägheit und/oder aufgrund eines Schiebemechanismus in Richtung des Sicherheitsgurts verschiebt, um Gurtlose zu ändern.

Accordingly, it is envisaged:

• - a method for tightening a seat belt of a vehicle occupant immediately before an accident, comprising the following steps: detecting an accident situation by means of an accident sensor; releasing a locking mechanism of a vehicle seat such that the vehicle seat can move linearly; ensuring a displacement of the vehicle seat such that belt slack of an associated seat belt is reduced; and
• - an arrangement for reducing slack in a seat belt of a vehicle occupant before a collision with a vehicle seat, a seat belt, a blocking mechanism which prevents the seat belt from being released when an impending collision has been detected, a releasable lock for locking the vehicle seat; a guide along which the vehicle seat can be moved linearly; an actuating means which can be activated by means of an accident sensor system, wherein the actuating means is designed to release the lock of the vehicle seat such that the vehicle seat moves in the direction of the seat belt due to its inertia and/or due to a sliding mechanism in order to change slack in the seat belt.

A sensor, also known as a detector, (measured variable or measuring) sensor or (measured) probe, is a technical component that can measure certain physical, chemical properties or conditions, e.g. temperature, humidity, pressure, speed, brightness, acceleration, pH value, ionic strength, electrochemical potential and/or the material properties of its environment qualitatively or quantitatively as a measured variable. These variables are recorded using physical or chemical effects and converted as sensor data into an electrical signal that can be further processed. Vehicle sensors include optical sensors, e.g. camera, lidar, radar, TOF and other sensor technologies, e.g. acoustic sensors.

An accident sensor detects an impact, an expected impact of an object on a vehicle or other uncontrolled movements of a vehicle, such as skidding, rolling over and the like.

A seat belt is a restraint system in motor vehicles, aircraft and other means of transport. In the event of vehicle deceleration caused by an accident, the vehicle occupants are held by stable belts connected to the body and cannot be thrown through the vehicle or even out of it. The safety bonus of the crumple zone also benefits the occupants. In addition, the belts stretch in the event of an impact in order to limit the deceleration forces.

The purpose of a belt tensioner is to tighten the seat belts so that a vehicle occupant participates earlier in the overall deceleration of the vehicle. To do this, the belt is tightened by an adjustment amount within a certain period of time. This is particularly useful if thick clothing prevents the belt from fitting tightly around the body.

Slack refers to the part of a vehicle's safety belt that is loose or does not fit snugly against the body. Slack occurs in three-point automatic belts due to belt stretching, the film spool effect of the retractor mechanism and loose clothing.

A belt system is used to secure the occupant and comprises a seat belt, a belt tensioner, a drive for retracting or tightening the seat belt and, if necessary, other components.

A locking mechanism is a mechanical device for locking moving parts. For example, seats in a vehicle can be locked in place rails and then locked in a suitable position. Another application is securing machine or equipment parts. For example, catches, bolts, pins, pins, screws and clamping or tensioning devices are used for locking.

A stop is used to limit the movement range of a component.

The basic idea of the invention is to increase the relative speed of the belt to the occupant by moving the seat in the direction of the seat belt. This creates new possibilities for actuating the belt tensioner, as less energy is required.

The phrase “in the direction of the seat belt” means forward or in the direction of a windshield and parallel to a vehicle’s longitudinal axis.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the further subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the vehicle seat is moved against a stop after the locking mechanism is released. This ensures a defined movement of the vehicle seat. This improves the safety of an arrangement for tightening a seat belt.

It is also useful if the vehicle seat is moved using a spring. The spring can be designed as a disc or leaf spring, for example. This provides a mechanism that is easy to check and reversible.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the belt is tightened by means of at least two methods, namely by means of a method according to one of the preceding claims and by means of a further method, wherein the method according to one of the preceding claims is carried out before the further method.

In other words, a large proportion of the slack is tightened by means of the present invention and a smaller proportion of the slack is tightened by means of the further mechanism, wherein the further mechanism is designed to apply a relatively large amount of energy in order to tighten a relatively small proportion of the slack.

The further procedure may involve rewinding the loose seat belt.

According to a preferred development of the invention, a spring is designed to move the vehicle seat by means of spring relaxation. This provides an easily verifiable and reversible mechanism.

It is also useful if the arrangement for reducing belt slack has a stop against which the vehicle seat is moved. This ensures a defined movement of the vehicle seat. This improves the safety of an arrangement for tightening a seat belt.

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF DRAWINGS

• 1 eine Prinzipskizze gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 2 ein schematisches Blockdiagramm einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the schematic figures of the drawings. They show:

• 1 a schematic diagram according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the invention.

The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the noted advantages will be apparent upon reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to one another.

In the figures of the drawings, identical, functionally identical and acting elements, features and components are provided with the same reference symbols, unless stated otherwise.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF IMPLEMENTATION

1 shows a schematic diagram of an arrangement 10 for reducing belt slack and illustrates the forces that occur when activating the arrangement for reducing belt slack. Accordingly, in 1 a vehicle seat 1, a seat belt 2 and a fixation 3 of the seat belt are shown.

In the embodiment according to 1 It is intended to eliminate slack in the seat belt 2 by means of two different mechanisms. Accordingly, slack is reduced by moving the vehicle seat 1 forward at a speed v_seat. The direction of movement The tension of the vehicle seat is oriented according to the force vector 5. This results in an opposite relative speed of the seat belt v_belt_relative with respect to the vehicle seat 1, which acts in the direction of the force vector 6, since the vehicle seat 1 moves towards the seat belt. Furthermore, further belt slack is reduced by means of another mechanism (not described here), so that the belt moves towards the seat at the speed v_belt in the direction of the force vector 4.

2 shows a schematic block diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention with the steps S1 to S3. In step S1, an accident situation is detected by means of an accident sensor system. In step S2, a locking mechanism of a vehicle seat is released such that the vehicle seat can move linearly. In step S3, a displacement of the vehicle seat is ensured such that belt slack of an associated safety belt is reduced.

Reference symbols

S1-S3

Process steps

1

Vehicle seat

2

Seat belt

3

Fixation

4

Force vector

5

Force vector

6

Force vector

10

arrangement

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed 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 accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102010051419 A1 [0002]

Claims (7)

Method for tightening a vehicle occupant's seat belt immediately before an accident, comprising the following steps: - Detecting (S1) an accident situation using an accident sensor system; - Releasing (S2) a locking mechanism of a vehicle seat such that the vehicle seat can be moved; - Ensuring (S3) a displacement of the vehicle seat such that belt slack of an associated seat belt is reduced. Procedure according to Claim 1 , whereby the vehicle seat is moved against a stop after the lock is released. Procedure according to Claim 2 , whereby the vehicle seat is moved by means of a spring. A method for tightening a seat belt, wherein the belt is tightened by means of at least two methods, namely by means of a method according to one of the preceding claims and by means of a further method which is based on a different mechanism, wherein the method according to one of the preceding claims is carried out before the further method. Arrangement (10) for reducing slack in a seat belt (2) of a vehicle occupant immediately before a collision with - a vehicle seat (1), - a seat belt (2), - a blocking mechanism that prevents the seat belt from being released when an impending collision has been detected, - a releasable locking mechanism of the vehicle seat; - a guide along which the vehicle seat can be moved linearly; - an actuating means that can be activated by means of an accident sensor system, wherein the actuating means is designed to release the locking mechanism of the vehicle seat such that the vehicle seat moves in the direction of the seat belt due to its inertia and/or due to a sliding mechanism in order to reduce slack. Arrangement according to Claim 5 , wherein the arrangement (10) for reducing belt slack has a spring which is designed to displace the vehicle seat (1) by means of spring relaxation. Arrangement according to one of the Claims 5 or 6 , wherein the arrangement (10) for reducing belt slack has a stop against which the vehicle seat (1) is displaced.

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