DE10337219A1 - Method of operating an airbag safety system of motor vehicle, involves compressing the air in coplanar manner to shorten the time of collision energy damping and filling of the airbag - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves compressing the air in coplanar manner in order to shorten both the time of collision energy damping and filling of the airbag. When reaching a compression level, a fuel is sprayed into the air reservoir and self-ignites. The fuel is sprayed at an area, in order to discharge the air compression by explosion. An independent claim is also included for a device for carrying out the method.

Description

The The invention relates to the field of security requirements in use of motor vehicles.

The The invention relates in particular to a method and a device for airbag security systems of motor vehicles in which there is accident prevention in a container Air is compressible from the pressure generated by the impact, to dampen the impact energy, and to the supply lines to an airbag is available to this through a filler inflate.

The patent DE 19950709 or published patent application DE 19950709 A1 describes a device for reusable airbag safety system of motor vehicles, as well as a corresponding method for operating the airbag system. The device described therein, which is connected to a motor vehicle, both has a front arranged and used to absorb impact forces bumper, a rear applied to this air tank, which is arranged to generate an overpressure for filling at least one inflatable airbag and also for the damping the impact energy serves as well as to the system elements associated supply lines, which are set up for a passage of the filler in the airbags.

known Process and the device effect by elastic deformation of the air tank spatial Acceleration of the blocked air quantity. This calls the deformable Air tank one delay the air outlet. It unloads the air compression in the airbag is not currently available, provided the Speed of pressure propagation in the filler from the impact speed is dependent. Furthermore is airbag development and crash energy damping, as a whole protection process, timed with the stroke length of the bumper.

therefore there is an imminent risk, especially in the case of high risk Amount of energy collision that the duration of the airbag filling for the safe Protection is insufficient. This is such Schutzwirkungsart with the delay affected by the reaction of the system.

From that Based on the known method and the device has the disadvantage that its protective effect is prolonged and blurred, while for the Traffic security the temporal course of the protection particularly important is.

Of the Invention is now the object of a device and a A method of operating a reusable airbag security system to create so that it avoids the disadvantages mentioned above.

The Method and the device according to claim 1 and the device according to claim 2 solve This task. Advantageous features develop the subject invention further and are each contained in the subclaims. On this will be now referred to.

According to the present Invention provides a reusable airbag system, that in intensity its protective effect a lightning-fast response to the impact exercises. The is achieved by achieving a degree of air compression one in the air tank atomized Fuel ignites spontaneously, This is injected there to the air compression through To discharge explosion.

there is the air tank the product of an overpressure propagating in its interior in a pulse-like manner, as a combustion engine-like combustion unit designed to explode the mechanical energy of the impact whose cylinders and pistons are made of solid and dimensionally stable materials are made to plane between two air plane-parallel to compress.

In order to the elastic deformation of the air tank is excluded and thereby improves the damping capacity of the System. Therefore, in comparison with the known method, the same Compression and this corresponding degree of absorption in the inventive Procedure reached faster.

According to one Another aspect of the present invention is a mixture of the exhaust gases and ambient air formed as a filler for airbags serves. This is still an advantage over the known system since the need for a large amount of air, that carries the system, eliminated. This is achieved in that because of the exhaust gases flowing through supply lines a suction effect is effected, thanks to which outside air enters supply lines. It can short-stroke, built with a relatively small volume, combustion unit become. The to the complete cramming the airbags missing amount of filler gets the system because of its suction from the surrounding air by itself.

According to a preferred aspect, a progressive, and qualitatively new protective effect is achieved in which the energy of the impact is transmitted first Compression and finally attenuated by explosion. Whereby the impact force of the compression surpassing impact force by the explosion originating, opposing force is eliminated lightning fast.

at This comparison point shows yet another advantage of inventive method, provided that the resulting from the air compression damping of retrospectively increased by the explosion inhibitory effect is amplified. The product serves as the chemical transformed by the explosion Energy in mechanical, as an additional Aids.

ever after dimensioning of the cubic capacity, the injected fuel quantity, As well as the number of combustion units, the protective capacity of the Systems are designed so that in no case the actual Body at all is deformed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the method is realized in a construction, due to their design in the expansion of motor vehicles of any kind economical is integrable. In addition, this lightning protection system can both the front as well as on the rear side of the vehicle are mounted.

To a further embodiment the invention is the system with two combustion units as Alternative to the first equipped, that further the reaction of the system develops positively. at this embodiment are several, with even smaller damping stroke compared to first execution and such same general volume of cylinder combustion units, enclosed in an entire block construction in parallel. In order to the compression time is shortened without the full Airbaganfüllung to impair.

at The present invention is a vehicle operated internal combustion engine because of its power to produce and deliver the exhaust flow, convertible to a unit that is part of the system is. Still another embodiment below shows how it is achieved. Here are the different conventional equipped with the internal combustion engine vehicle types with the device according to the invention inexpensively retrofitted become.

moreover The present system occurs as a true alternative in this embodiment to the usual in practice by lightning protection systems designated by explosion methods. This is beyond this innovative concept by far the known. According to the procedure There are no chemical substances caused by the explosion. This eliminates strict safety regulations and high costs in the manufacture and assembly of the system. Moreover, a spontaneous self - dissolution of the Airbags no longer possible. The compact design of the system mobilize the invention in this latter example mobile.

Further the present system works without hearing through to harm an explosion, in that respect its intake system itself acts as a muffler. This is in the state technology is not the case.

The present invention provides further over the known lightning protection systems the advantage of having a review of the Systems allowed to carry out its manufacture as well as the individual Attitude after attempt of their individual organs, in relation to the Adaptation in these existing construction and operating conditions to each other.

Further Details of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed Description and attached Drawings in the preferred embodiments of the invention for example, are illustrated.

The Drawings show:

1 a schematic sketch of the entire system for explaining the inventive method in the final state of an impact and the design of the assembly of the members of the device according to the invention and arrangement of the latter on the support structure of a car body seen from above with the explanatory outlines.

2 : one of the 1 similar representation of the system in another embodiment of the device, wherein the length of the leads and the side members of the body are drawn broken;

3 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the invention for explaining the device construction, in which serves as a supplier of the exhaust gas flow, an internal combustion engine;

4 : a longitudinal section of a member of the device - the combustion unit, in the instantaneous state of the Zersträubung a liquid fuel, which explains their construction and operation;

5 : one of the 4 corresponding plan view with the explanatory outlines to illustrate further details of the combustion unit;

6 : a larger scale side picture of 4 an injection pump in longitudinal section, which can explain the structure of this;

7 : one of the 4 corresponding cross-section through rivet plane "AA" for explaining the cohesion of the connecting parts of the nodes of the exhaust valve drive;

8th : one of the 4 corresponding section through the plane "CC" to explain the execution and operation of the telescope node in the device according to the invention;

9 : one of the 4 corresponding cross-section through the plane "BB" to explain the connection node construction for the attachment of the device according to the invention to the vehicle support structure and design of the arrangement of these at the combustion unit.

1 shows an apparatus for implementing a method according to the invention using the example of a car.

The device according to the invention has a movable bumper 1 on, in the vehicle frame guided path is parallel to the straight direction of travel. Next, it contains a composite construction, which is a combustion unit 2 is, which is arranged adjacent to the reception of the bumper-transmitting impact forces to the rear side of the latter and is rigidly coupled thereto. Thus, a movement of the bumper causes 1 a compression in the combustion unit 2 located air.

The combustion unit 2 is preferably an air tank. It is designed to convert the mechanical energy of the impact into an explosion when air heating caused by the compression is operated to some degree, in which fuel injected in the heated air ignites spontaneously, and serves to generate a pulse-like overpressure.

at a compression pressure in the combustion unit whose height is lower as for the explosion provisions appropriate degree, the results damping effect elastic. It follows that the system is two different successively following energy damping modes united. about the detailed Construction and operation of the combustion unit and the system as a whole will be described below.

Furthermore, the device has the leads 3 on, which are mainly the air hoses and which are integrally assembled in a construction which a suction system 4 is. This ensures the intake of fresh air into the system, eliminates foreign bodies forcibly accumulated in the body and particles, and influences the formation of a mixture necessary for the inflation of the airbags 5 serves.

In addition, the 1 and 2 schematically and greatly simplified a mounting plan of the accommodation of the device on the floor assembly of a motor vehicle support structure 6 , The support structure is for receiving the device with an additional auxiliary cross member 7 and with the corner stiffeners introduced in the expansion of the floor assembly for stiffening reasons 8th strengthened. The side members 9 are in accordance with the in 1 and 2 shown removed to the guidance of the bumper 1 mounted rail 10 to wear.

The in the 4 shown combustion unit 2 has a cylinder 11 and with this rigidly connected cylinder head 12 in which a combustion chamber 13 lies as well as a piston 14 with the displacement approach 15 which serves to produce in the combustion chamber the static air of a ring vortex displaced there.

These Components are made of dimensionally stable and solid types of materials, to compress the air between them plane-parallel and to withstand the explosion caused by explosion.

In addition, the combustion unit 2 equipped according to its function similar to an internal combustion engine, without belonging to it. The other essential components of the combustion unit are:
A push rod 16 ; a piston pin 17 ; one in the function of the rocker arm 18 directed injection nozzle 19 ; accordingly, to control the injection and exhaust events, control cams 20 and 21 whose command profile relates to the translatory movement type of the impact levels 22 to which cams are attached and connected, lets determine the exhaust valves 23 , which for rapid emptying of the combustion chamber of exhaust gases doubles in combustion chamber 13 are present, and which are arranged on the same axis opposite to each other and perpendicular to the cylinder axis. The forced use of the exhaust valves follows the assigned to this, in a holder 37 housed roles 24 that with the bumper 22 are attached in direct contact, which the compression springs 25 maintained; the outlet channels tangentially merging into the combustion chamber 26 , which are directed opposite to each other, to the terminal itself, with the front part 27 the supply lines 3 linked exhaust manifolds 28 to make accessible.

These components of the combustion unit are in particular in the 4 and 5 attached connection points of the combustion unit attached. In the following text further constructional details of the design and arrangement of these with respect to their interaction with other components of the system will be described.

The procedure is structured so that the drive of the injector 19 and the exhaust valves 23 from the rectilinear motion of the pressure plate 29 , which rests against the bumper, can be performed. For this purpose is the bumper 22 the combustion unit 2 formed curved by 180 °, and is with the pressure plate 29 via telescopic nodes 31 connected. The pressure plate closes 29 showing the two straight stretched sections 30 the bumper 22 binds, the chain of an accordingly formed frame construction.

In addition, as it is known from the 8th it can be seen, telescopic nodes 31 in one piece a shock 22 and adjusting rod 32 , The latter sit unmoving in the pressure plate 29 and serve the first, from which they are extendable, as guide columns. This results in the shortest length of construction in the longitudinal direction, because when moving the pressure plate until the bumper is introduced into the insert, a larger part of the displacement stroke corresponding to the damping process of the method is caused by the movement of the adjustment rods 32 in the bumper 22 is covered.

Because of the lightweight construction and space saving, the pressure plate in the plan view represents a diamond with rounded corners whose extent in the direction of their smaller diagonal to the value of the cylinder diameter 11 equivalent. The upper side of the printing plate 29 , which faces away from its side in communication with the bumper side, forms a bearing surface for the expansion of the construction of the combustion unit 2 ,

For their function, telescopic nodes are designed such that the fitting rods 32 with two opposing attacks 33 are equipped and the rectilinear sections 30 the bumper 22 at its ends with a slot 34 are formed, in which the attacks are stored with the freedom of movement. In this case, the connecting parts of the telescopic node shock and Anpasstange are the tubes that are introduced in the pursuit of both the simplicity of centering and after the lightweight construction in order to get along with the maximum possible material savings without mechanical damage to the nodes in construction.

The adapter rods are against axial displacement by means of the screw 35 insured. The stops are cylindrical and are formed in their places on the fitting tube from this. The telescopic knots also include the tension springs 36 , which are anxious to keep the fitting in the bumper to the stop, and as an aid to the return of the bumper 22 attached to their original position to the combustion unit. On the one hand, the tension springs are on the cylinder head 12 and on the other hand on the bumper associated pipe socket 38 attached. The trained on the cylinder head pads 39 limit the action of the springs 36 ,

It is envisaged that the effect of the compression springs 25 of exhaust valves stronger than the action of the tension springs 36 is. As a result, the bumper becomes 22 that are relative to the exhaust valves 23 is sprung, after opening this between rollers 24 over the cams 21 held clamped. This allows the atmospheric air to enter after a collision inside the combustion unit.

The exhaust valves may be alternatively constructed to those described above on the same principle as simple pressure valve waiving cams, due to the lack of such a design forced drive. The strength of the springs 25 should be doing with the nominal pressure in the combustion chamber 13 , in which the pressure valves open, are tuned. However, one must expect that the energy potential generated in the combustion chamber to the useful flow rate is not fully utilized.

According to 4 . 5 and 7 include the exhaust valve cams 21 the bumper 22 , the punctual adjustment of Auslassvorgangbeginss with the grooves 40 provided with the help and help of the screws 41 , the cams 21 after fixing her position at the bumper 22 are kept clamped. The injection cam works in a similar way 20 , The difference lies in the indirect contact of the cams 20 with the bumper 22 , Thus, this follows through pipe socket 38 as it is from the 4 and 5 is apparent.

Based on 4 is the combustion unit 2 with a slider 42 equipped in the cylinder 11 is housed and serves to keep the cylinder sealed against the atmosphere from below and lubricate it with oil. But it is cylindrical in terms of its outer shape and with the sealing ring 43 and the stuffing box 44 equipped. With occasional stroke, the cylinder covers 11 with a thin layer of lubricant that also seals the cylinder.

To make an event without delay the Ver To ensure combustion unit, it is envisaged that both the piston 14 as well as the slider 42 flexible in the cylinder to avoid virtual inclinations 11 being held. This is the push rod 16 , swiveling with the pressure plate 29 coupled.

This is a with a convex raised projection pad 45 , which is inserted in a centrally formed on the pressure plate blind bore, with, in the sole of the push rod foot 46 , uniformly shaped recess in contact. An intermediate link 47 that with the pressure plate 29 with the help of screws 48 screwed, ensures that this, in the 4 shown manner, contact produced is not interrupted.

From the 4 follows that the surfaces related both details 45 and 46 come from the cones, whose inclinations are the same and separated by an enlightened game of each other. This is in connection with the bumper 22 with the pressure plate 29 a joint that ensures self-adjustment of the piston.

To the self-adjustment of the slider 42 in the cylinder 11 to create is a slice 49 on the ground 50 of the slider 42 housed and by means of screws 51 screwed. The disc 49 has a conical hole formed in the middle 52 on, on the cylinder facing and spherical edge of the end face of the intermediate member 47 rests. Besides, the floor is 50 of the slider 42 provided with a through hole, which is a cylindrical surface formed under the spherical surface 53 of the body of the pontic 47 with a proper radial play. This gives the possibility for the slider 42 in the cylinder 11 to pan.

According to 4 and 6 in Combustion Unit equipment is a combined nozzle and pump 19 appropriate. The pump is identical in function to the usual constructions, but has a considerably simplified structure. In this embodiment, the pump essentially comprises: a pump plunger 54 located directly above the nozzle; a nozzle needle 55 , which acts as a pressure valve and a ball check valve 56 ,

The Pump is for the occasional individual cases of cranking the combustion unit strangely developed.

Therefore, the interior of the pump is a chamber 57 whose volume is designed for an amount of fuel that is in the supply for one-off or caused by the next impact ignitions of the combustion unit without refilling.

The pump 19 can be through an inlet channel 58 fill out. According to 6 this is with a float 59 and a spring 60 provided that serve the chamber 57 the pump to be fed in any spatial position of the vehicle with the fuel. The check ball valve 56 , which is arranged between the chamber and the inlet channel prevents the flow of the fuel in the reverse direction.

With the fall of the pump plunger 54 a quantity of fuel missing from the initial filling of the chamber is taken up in chamber by the contents of the inlet channel, which is also considered to be a reservoir 57 dissipated. The drive of the pump succeeds on the way and time by means of the bumper 22 over the injection cam 20 and the rocker arm 18 ,

According to 4 is the cylinder 11 in cohesion with the cylinder head 12 between two other components of the combustion unit by means of the long stud bolts 61 clamped, which are arranged to keep the cylinder biased against unfavorable tensile load of the dynamically acting combustion pressure. The bias connection allows the wall thickness of the cylinder to be dimensioned in terms of economical material savings. This benefits the utilization of the strength of the material and it is the lightweight construction won.

The first of the above-mentioned parts is a pedestal on which the cylinder rests, that in the shape of the ring 62 is formed, and the second is acting as a stop means part, the upper from the bottom with the federal government 63 reinforced side of the cylinder 11 includes to obtain the tensile strength of the cylinder. This part, which has a flange 64 is equal to the printing plate to the extent of its outline 29 executed and also acts as an additional guide means and at the same time as a bezel for the bumper 22 , For the mutually favorable adaptation contains the flange 64 the sleeve 65 ,

According to 4 and 9 are for the purpose of a rigid mounting of the device to the vehicle support structure 6 two symmetrically placed outer cylinder shell partially embraced supports 66 intended. So that the walls of the cylinder when tightening the screws 61 can not distort and an easy and fast production of the prestressing connection can be obtained are in two on both sides of the supports 66 spacer tubes acting as a spreader 67 accommodated.

The lengths of the pipes 67 are designed to that, to prevent the appearance of tilting moments, one along both supports 66 drawn symmetry axis and the longitudinal axis of the combustion unit in the center of gravity of the construction can cut. In addition, the supports 66 formed with a serving for their attachment to bias connection through hole, through which and by the spacers adjacent to the supports the stud bolts 61 are performed.

The supply lines 3 which aim to promote the filler to the airbags, incorporate in one piece:
One with the combustion unit 2 connected front part 27 which serves to achieve a suction effecting the exhaust gases emanating therefrom with the speed of sound. The exit point 68 of the front part 27 is for preventing behind a vortex formation, which may cause the pressure loss, tapered in the flow direction formed; one with the airbag 5 Connected buttock holding an air hose 69 is, and one of the two aforementioned parts united intermediate piece, which is a suction system 4 represents. This has a hollow body in which a conical end 68 of the front part 27 flows to the under the caused by this suction effect outside air in space 71 to pump the body.

In order to attract as much as possible combustion gas in contact with fresh air, the room is 71 with several lateral openings formed in the body 72 connected to the atmosphere. In order to determine the proportion of fresh air in the mixture, the space surrounds the front part of the supply line with a certain radial distance.

To optimize the performance of the suction system is the room 71 pear-shaped, whose generatrix of conical part of its surface parallel to the tapered portion 68 of the front part 27 the supply line 3 runs. The paths of the outside air flow are in 1 and 3 indicated by arrows.

In this way, the gas stream is mixed from one side with the fresh cold outside air and from the other side with the static air of the supply line and greatly diluted. In this case, its temperature is lowered, which has a, by pressure and temperature compensation between internal and external currents, satisfactorily homogeneous mixture formation. The resulting mixture is under pressure difference between the intake and the rear part 69 the supply line 3 to the airbag 5 promoted as a filler.

The side openings 72 the suction system 4 are excellent flaring holes, the basis of this embodiment of the caps 73 are hugging. The caps on themselves close the mesh filter insert 74 , which is set up for the excretion of the foreign body and to prevent them getting into the pipes care. For thorough and reliable filtering, step filters with pre-filtering and fine-filtering are provided.

The preservation of the suction system / systems 4 is expedient, so that the harmful effect of the gas mixture in the emptying after an impact or frontal collision of the airbags can be avoided to select outside of the actual vehicle interior. The place for the accommodation of the suction system 4 is not shown because of the many variable equivalent possibilities.

To the temperature impact of those in the airbags 5 it is provided that the airbag cover is covered from the inside with a thin layer of asbestos (not shown). The outside air and the cold walls of the supply lines and the unfolding Rirbaghüllen reduce the exhaust gas temperature so that a coating in small tenths of a millimeter is enough for it.

To start the airbag device according to the invention, must on the excellent bumper 1 Forces are exercised. In an impact or frontal collision, the bumper slides in to the right 1 and 3 and bring the pressure plate 29 and the piston connected to it 14 moving. In this case, the air in the cylinder is compressed, resulting in an increase of the internal pressure in the cylinder 11 as well as in combustion chamber 13 leads. At the same time dive the adjustment bar 32 in the effect of the tension springs 36 non-moving bumper 22 while the attacks slip 33 along the slots 34 , After another movement of the printing plate 29 reach the stops 33 the end of the slots 34 and come with the bumper 22 in touch. The entire duration of this compression phase of the process goes to the start of injection.

This phase mitigates the shocks received frontally on their assets, and also protects the system both from a human footstep on the protruding part of the bumper and at low impact velocities or other minor events. That comes from repelling the pistons 14 because of the resistance of the air to their compression. The previously movable details of the device are reversed to their original position.

In case of a severe impact, the Compaction of the air due to the further movement of the pressure plate 29 and the piston 14 still further driven, so that the air is heated to a temperature critical for the replacement of the process operations. This raise the attacks 33 from the adjusting bars 32 the bumper 22 upwards and from that moment both rods converge.

This can be the control cam 20 and 21 from the rectilinear movement of the bumper 22 are driven. Closer to a position of the piston stroke, briefly from the moment when in the combustion chamber 13 developed for the compression of the fuel compression pressure is developed, the pump starts 19 from the control cam 20 operated rocker arms 18 to inject. Thus, the compression phase passes into a process of the process that occurs by impact.

As soon as the ignition temperature is reached, the fuel atomized in the combustion chamber is ignited, but the piston 14 is pushed under the impact of the impact even further up to its highest stroke position, in which its displacer 15 the neck of the combustion chamber 13 almost completely without touching it. In this position of the piston, the fuel burns in spite of ceasing its supply into the combustion chamber in full flames. This will cause the piston 14 slowed and stopped in its upward movement.

At this time, the bumper dives 1 so deep inside the vehicle that its front end stops just before the bumper of the vehicle. The outlet started controlled cam 21 open the exhaust valves 23 , In this case, both the injection and outlet start with the position of the piston 14 in the cylinder 11 in accordance.

At the previously described operations of the method are the impact forces that the damping capacity of his Overcome the compression phase, with very intense, by the kind of their abrupt stems, Dampened counteraction. Here is the damping performance the compression phase by absorption of the absorbed by her Impact energy part as an incessant part of the complete Protection.

For the design of the system, it should be noted that the degree of protruding over the vehicle outline boom part 75 of the bumper 1 (in 1 and 2 shown with the dashed lines) greater than or at least equal to the value of the damping stroke of the piston 14 the combustion unit 2 should be. This is the guarantee that the body of the vehicle for the impact partner is not achievable.

Because of the blast created by the explosion becomes a portion of the combusted gas and a static in the supply lines air column pushed to the airbags. Furthermore pulls the pressure wave in a certain amount offset in the mixture ratio part the outside air behind him.

From that starting in the dimensioning of the displacement of the combustion unit the generated filler to disposal standing capacity and the number of airbags under consideration the volumetric efficiency as a result of both in the system supplied Calculated air quantity and the expansibility of the burned gases become. This interpretation also applies to the reverse calculation.

From the generated by the explosion and spreading on all sides overpressure arises in the system except a force driving the exhaust gas flow also directed one of the acting impact forces Resistance. One of this power will be one of the first Phase left over but weakened Part of the impact energy neutralized. This creates a complete Protective effect for both the inmates as well for the vehicle.

The final starting position after a collision of the whole system, which corresponds to his readiness, is achieved by pushing back the pressure plate 29 and the bumper attached to it 1 when this free movement is given, achieved by the hand applied force. The adjusting rods are driving 32 from the bumper 22 out. Ultimately, the roller holder is pushed by means of special pliers (not shown) 37 into the interior of the combustion chamber 13 , This is based on the action of the tension springs 36 lower flattened surface of the pipe socket 38 to the edition 39 , 8th This clarifies attained positions of the bump and fitting rods.

The Process can be carried out by using both liquid and gaseous fuels function by the corresponding, according to the prior art, combustion unit equipment. Such multi-fuel capability the procedure has for some geographical application areas of considerable importance.

According to a further embodiment of the device, which may occur as an alternative to the first embodiment without compromising the perfection of the air bag filling, this closes according to 2 two or more than two combustion units 2 per se. The stroke length of the combustion units is proportional to the number of burns as compared with the above-mentioned embodiment for accelerating the reaction of the system reduced units.

Thus, the same of the first embodiment of the airbags nährte volume is achieved by the exhaust gas flow with even shorter time. The combustion units in this embodiment operate synchronously, are parallel-locked in a block, and for shortening the width of the coupled structure as well as the numbers of control cams 21 connected so that two adjacent combustion units have a common bumper part.

In this way the possibility arises for the method to cut off both the duration of its compression phase and the development of its protective effect as a whole. It can also be the boom part 75 of the bumper 1 whose dimension is defined by the stroke length of the combustion unit, be small.

In another embodiment, in 3 is shown, a structurally much simplified device is shown, which can be used in a powered by an internal combustion engine vehicle. For the compact design of the construction, in order to reduce these costs, is an engine driving the vehicle 76 in the event of an impact to a combustion unit being convertible in such a way that when switching the flow of exhaust gas from the first to the airbag a process develops, the explosion phase of the latter is identical.

To that it is made that the exhaust gas flow is introduced into a laterally from the exhaust pipe of the engine and with the supply lines 3 coupled bypass line 77 is distracted. For this is a by a sensor in the need of protection, after severity of the impact, in use initiating rotary valve 78 provided, the front to the outlet point of the engine 76 is appropriate.

Herewith The exhaust of the engine is caused by the airbag Closure of the exhaust outlet clogged into the open air, which is his verdict on impact fertilized and therefore the risk that vehicle itself burns is reduced. In this version, the exhaust gases of collected in an exhaust phase located cylinders.

These execution The device may be considered a partial case of the application of its basic form be treated if they are due to the discontinued compression phase the procedure does not protect the body of the vehicle makes.

in the others can all embodiments described above instead of the direct Mixture in the airbags one to the rear part of the supply line include connected control device.

The Control device regulates such that in an accident, if, in dependence from the existing impact conditions and according to the vehicle speed and outside temperature in terms of the season, a volume dictated by a sensor of the mixture lower than the predetermined volume is dissipated in airbags, this excess amount of the mixture in the environment drained or adapting the respectively necessary needs in additional at other locations of the vehicle, e.g. in side games as well airbag-like bags installed in roof sections are carried out. So it follows that a vehicle occupant in such a fall of intercepted on all sides and the protection afforded by the system thereby optimally exploited.

Claims (12)

A method of operating a Rirbag safety system of a motor vehicle, wherein air for accident protection in a container is compressible from the pressure generated by the impact to dampen the impact energy and to supply a filler through leads on an inflatable airbag, characterized in that : that in order to shorten the time of both the impact energy damping and the air bag filling, the air compression is performed plane-parallel and in case of reaching a degree of compression at which a fuel sprayed in the air tank ignites itself, it is injected thereinto to discharge the air compression by explosion, wherein a suction flow is effected in the supply lines, whereby a mixture of the exhaust gases and ambient air is formed, inflating the airbag as a filler. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 1, wherein the air tank is designed to produce an overpressure propagating in its interior in a pulse-like manner as a combustion unit ( 2 ), the mechanical energy of the impact is converted into an explosion, and the one cylinder ( 11 ) with the combustion chamber ( 13 ) and a piston ( 14 ), which are made of the solid and dimensionally stable materials to compress air located therebetween plane-parallel, and whose construction is similar to the construction of an internal combustion engine, wherein the supply lines ( 3 ) in one piece: a front part connected to the combustion unit ( 27 ), which serves to achieve a suction, which cause the effluent from this effluent, whose exit point ( 68 ) is tapered in the flow direction, in order to avoid the adverse influence of the vortex formation behind it, a rear part connected to the airbag (US Pat. 69 ), and an intermediate piece composed of the two aforementioned parts, which has an intake system ( 4 ) whose body is hollow, into which the exit point ( 68 ) of the front part ( 27 ), in order to cause the suction effect in this, and also, for attracting the fresh air as possible with all the combustion gas to the touch, with a plurality of lateral openings ( 72 ), which is his space ( 71 ) connect to the atmosphere. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the space ( 71 ) is pear-shaped, the conical part of its surface to the exit point ( 68 ) of the front part ( 27 ) of the supply line ( 3 ), in order to optimize the suction power, in parallel, and in order to determine the proportion of fresh air in the mixture, with a certain radial distance runs. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the impact shock, as a drive movement to the cause of the combustion unit from standstill, whereby the command profile of the control cam ( 20 ) and ( 21 ), based on translational movement of the bumper ( 22 ) to which the cams are adjustably held for controlling the injection and exhaust events. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the bumper ( 22 ) is formed to form a frame construction curved by 180 ° and with the Anpasstangen ( 32 ), which are in the rectilinear sections ( 30 ) of the first, are telescopically inserted to form for these guide rails and to shorten the extent of the construction in the longitudinal direction, wherein a slider ( 42 ) to the cylinder ( 11 ), both for preventing the ingress of dirt and for the escape of the lubricant from the cylinder and also to keep the cylinder sealed from below against the atmosphere and lubricated, corresponding to the sealing ring ( 43 ) and the stuffing box ( 44 ), and that with an intermediate member ( 47 ), which is adapted to the self-adjustment of the piston and the slider in the cylinder, and with a pressure plate ( 29 ) is rigidly connected, which at the serving for impact absorption bumper ( 1 ) in order to further provide the pressure exerted by this pressure an indexed protection, and also with the Anpasstangen ( 32 ) is rigidly coupled to close the frame chain of the construction, and wherein for a rigid assembly of the combustion unit ( 2 ) to the vehicle carrying structure ( 6 ) two symmetrically placed, the outer cylinder jacket partially hugged supports ( 66 ) are provided to prevent one of the tilting moments negative effect between two spacer tubes ( 67 ) whose lengths are designed so that an axis of symmetry drawn along both support and the longitudinal axis of the combustion unit can intersect at the center of gravity of the structure and at the same time act as a spreader for the prestressed cylinder ( 11 ) serve. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the slider for its self-adjustment in the cylinder ( 11 ) a disk ( 49 ), the conical hole formed on the at the intermediate member ( 47 ) abutting edge of its end face to form a pivotable contact with each other, the ground ( 50 ) of the slider ( 42 ), wherein the slider causes the pivotable position of the piston in the cylinder in the sense that a serving for the sliding of the piston push rod ( 16 ) and one, in one in the sole of the push rod foot ( 46 ) formed recess, to the pressure plate ( 29 ) attached document ( 45 ), as links of a joint, couples and holds together. Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein to facilitate and reduce the overall construction of the shock ( 22 ) and adjusting rod ( 32 ) have occurred in the structure of the device in the form of the tubes. Device according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the cylinder ( 11 ), in order to set up its walls of prestressing, is held clamped between two components of the structure, one of which is arranged to act as a pedestal in the form of the ring ( 62 ) is formed, on which rests the cylinder, and the second acting both as a stop means in the form of a flange ( 64 ) trained part is from the top upper with the waistband ( 63 ) reinforced side of the cylinder ( 11 ) in order to ensure the high-tensile seating of the cylinder because of the explosive effect, as well as its action as a steady rest, and at the same time as an additional guiding means for the bumper. Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, wherein these multiple combustion units ( 2 with the same stroke length, which accelerates the reaction of the system in such a way that, in proportion to its number, the value of the damping stroke is shortened, and that to its synchronous effects and to shorten the width of the expansion and the numbers of control cams ( 21 ) are parallel in a block construction in which two adjacent combustion units share a common bumper part. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein as a combustion unit for its compact design in order to reduce the design ( 2 ) an engine driving the vehicle ( 76 ) acts in the sense that it provides in the event of an impact, the basis of the protection lying exhaust gas flow, in a laterally of its exhaust pipe for the airbag refilling and with the supply lines ( 3 ) connected bypass line ( 77 ), is distractible. Device according to one of claims 2 and 10, wherein for the deflection of the exhaust gases in the bypass line ( 77 ) of the system according to a severity of the impact of a sensor controlled rotary valve ( 78 ) to initiate in use, the front of the outlet point of the engine ( 76 ) is attached. Device according to one of claims 2 to 10, wherein for protecting the occupants of a motor vehicle. from the detrimental effect of following an impact by deflating the airbag ( 5 ) released waste gas the accommodation of the intake system ( 4 ) is provided outside the vehicle interior.