DE19856180B4 - Method and protective system for protecting the front occupants of a vehicle ahead in the event of rearward impact - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for protecting the front occupants of a vehicle in front in the event of its rearward risk of impact, in which
In the vehicle in front, the speed difference and the distance between it and the following vehicle are continuously measured,
In the vehicle in front, the measured values are evaluated by means of a control device (2) and
- When falling below predefinable limit values controlled by the control device (2)
• the front seats are unlocked and then move parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis,
• the front seats are damped in this direction when moving and
• a metal foil roller blind (17) is stretched in front of the rear window along both sides of the guideways (21).

Description

The Invention according to claim 1, a method and, according to claim 6, a protection system for protecting the front occupants of a preceding vehicle Vehicle at its rear risk a crash.

Various Frontal impact protection systems like airbag or driver restraint systems have been known for a long time. Unfortunately, it is the reality that even the front occupants of such cars in so-called Driveways still Significant injuries, especially in the lumbar / cervical region The spine as well as through the rear window invaded foreign body, but also - even still with safety glass - by the Fragmentation of the rear window itself, bouncing / cutting injuries or deadly Can sustain injuries.

For example, is from the DE 297 19 449 U1 a safety system for motor vehicles is known, which is used either alone or in addition to the existing passive vehicle occupant protection devices (safety steering column, airbag, etc.) in both frontal and rear impact accidents, but in any case the safety belts in the front passenger compartment and the presence of seat back headrests requires. The safety system described therein is based on the object to dissociate the front passenger cell occupants in the opposite direction of the "impact direction / -energie" because here in particular collide with commercial vehicles protruding or accelerated foreign body penetrate through the glazing into the cockpit and especially in frontal impact front occupants inflict fatal injuries. A seat lift system that shifts the front driver / passenger seats in the opposite direction to the respective shock acceleration direction depending on whether a frontal or rear impact is taking place and how the rear seats are occupied. For this purpose, the front seats are unlocked parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis.

Furthermore, from the DE 41 21 548 G2 a device for protecting a seated on a rear seat rear passenger in a motor vehicle with a rear cross member known. This is disposed at a rear end portion of a roof and above a rear seat in the transverse direction of a vehicle body so as to support an upper end of a rear window glass disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle compartment. More specifically, in order to provide psychological freedom of the rear seat passenger of anxiety, according to a first embodiment, a moving mechanism disposed on the rear seat for urging at least an upper end portion of the seat back is a first driving means provided with the first moving mechanism connected to move at least the upper end portion of the seat back forward, a detecting means for determining the ability to move the seated in the rear seat passenger from the rear seat in a state in which he sits on it, and a first control device for control the operation of the first drive means so as to advance at least the upper end portion of the seat back when it is determined on the basis of a signal from the detection means that there is a possibility to move the rear passenger up from the rear seat in a state in we he sits on it, provided. A second embodiment is characterized by a moving mechanism arranged to move up at least an upper end portion of the seat back of the rear seat, a second driving means connected to the second moving mechanism to at least connect the upper end portion of the seat back of the seat back A rear seat moves upward, a determination device for determining the possibility of moving the rear passenger from the rear seat in a state in which he sits on it, and a second control device for controlling the operation of the second drive device in such a way that at least the upper end portion of the seat back is moved upward when it is determined in response to a signal from the determining means that the possibility of moving the rear passenger from the rear seat in a state in which he sits on it. A further embodiment is characterized by a passenger protection part for protecting a passenger. This is arranged to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is located along a front surface of the rear window pane, in which the passenger is protected when he is moved up while sitting in the rear seat, and the second position is located within a vehicle body structural member and remote from the front surface of the rear window glass in which the passenger protection member is housed, drive means interposed between the first position and the second position so as to move the passenger protection member, detecting means for determining the possibility of moving the rear passenger upwards from the rear seat in a state in which he sits on it, and a control device for controlling the operation of the drive device in such a way that the passenger protection part placed in the second position in the first position is moved when it is determined in response to a signal from the determining means that the possibility of moving the rear passenger from the rear seat in a state in which he sits on it. The in the DE 41 21 548 G2 described embodiments are used in the event that the vehicle is spinning, the protection of sitting on the rear seat passengers, in particular against the fact that they hit the head directly to the rear window.

Finally, that concerns DE 298 12 738 U1 a motor vehicle hazard warning system whose automatic activation takes place in conjunction with the electronic and / or mechanical control system of the airbag; either by its own and / or an automatic trigger.

Of the Invention is therefore based on the object, a method and a Protection system for the front occupants at rear danger an impact on the vehicle in such a way that personal injury a minimum can be reduced.

• – im vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug fortlaufend die Geschwindigkeitsdifferenz und der Abstand zwischen diesem und dem Folgefahrzeug gemessen wird,
• – im vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug die Messwerte mittels einer Steuereinrichtung ausgewertet werden und
• – beim Unterschreiten vorgebbarer Grenzwerte gesteuert durch die Steuereinrichtung • die Vordersitze entriegelt werden und sich dann parallel zur Fahrzeuglängsachse verlagern, • die Vordersitze in dieser Richtung beim Verlagern gedämpft werden und • ein Metallfolienrollo vor die Heckscheibe entlang beiderseitiger Führungsbahnen gespannt wird.

This object is achieved according to claim 1. For this purpose, methods were used to protect the front occupants of a vehicle ahead in the event of its rearward risk of impact, in which:

• In the vehicle in front, the speed difference and the distance between it and the following vehicle are continuously measured,
• - In the vehicle in front, the measured values are evaluated by means of a control device and
• - When falling below predefinable limits controlled by the control device • The front seats are unlocked and then move parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis, • The front seats are damped in this direction during displacement and • A metal foil blind is stretched in front of the rear window along the two guideways.

• – zwei Radarsensoren im vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug zum kontinuierlichen Messen der Geschwindigkeitsdifferenz zwischen dem vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug und dem Folgefahrzeug,
• – einer die Signale der Radarsensoren auswertenden Steuereinrichtung zur Ermittelung des Abstands zwischen dem vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug und dem Folgefahrzeug,
• – einer von der Steuereinrichtung angesteuerten elektromagnetischen Entriegelungsvorrichtung zum Entriegeln der Vordersitze im vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug beim Unterschreiten vorgebbarer Distanz von 5,5 m bei einer Geschwindigkeitsdifferenz von mindestens 35 km/h,
• – einem hydraulischen Stoßdämpfer zur Dämpfung der jeweiligen Vordersitzschubbewegung des entrasteten Fahrer- und/oder Beifahrersitzes in Richtung parallel zur Fahrzeuglängsachse und
• – einem von der Steuereinrichtung angesteuerten elektromagnetischen Entriegelungsaktor, welcher beiderseitig der Heckscheibe angeordnete Führungsbahnen freigibt, in denen ein Metallfolienrollo geführt wird, das nach Auslängung blockiert wird.

Furthermore, this object is achieved according to the invention according to claim 6. The purpose of this is a protection system for protecting the front occupants of a vehicle ahead in the rear impact of an impact, with:

• Two preceding-vehicle-on-vehicle radar sensors for continuously measuring the speed difference between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle,
• A control device evaluating the signals of the radar sensors for determining the distance between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle,
• A controlled by the control device electromagnetic unlocking device for unlocking the front seats in the vehicle ahead when falling below predeterminable distance of 5.5 m at a speed difference of at least 35 km / h,
• - A hydraulic shock absorber for damping the respective front seat push movement of the detent driver and / or passenger seat in the direction parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis and
• - An actuated by the control device electromagnetic Entriegelungsaktor which mutually releases the rear window arranged guideways in which a metal foil blind is guided, which is blocked after Auslängung.

At the Protection system are in driving with too fast approximation of a Follower vehicle, in particular when falling below a predeterminable distance of 5.5 m with a speed difference of at least 35 km / h (at which this following vehicle despite deceleration / avoidance attempt an impact / impact collision even with the most favorable chassis tuning can not turn away), the front seats of the vehicle ahead parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis unlocked and hydraulically backward on impact / impact of the following vehicle attenuated.

at A preferred embodiment of the invention is, according to claim 2, for in the event that no person is seated on the rear bench seat, the rear seat bench and / or its backrest moved in front of the rear window.

in the Individual is this, according to claim 7, one connected to the control device and under the rear bench seat arranged lifting device provided.

Preferably consists, according to claim 12, the lifting device of two lifting cylinders whose in-cylinder, powdered propellant after ignition generates a gas volume.

In Further development of the invention, according to claim 5, first the rear bench seat in front of the backrest and then shifts both.

at An embodiment of the invention takes place, according to claim 8, between Control device and unlocking a time-delayed control.

Preferably carried out according to claim 9, the time delay with a capacitor and a thyristor and is at least 5 seconds at most 10 seconds.

Around during subsequent impact / impact of the following vehicle against this through the rear window entering foreign bodies a certain barrier is thus simultaneously with the aforementioned rear seat unlocks the axial - drehschwenkbar on the rear seat - backrest hinged Rear bench by means of pyrotechnic lifting cylinder parallel to the backrest pivoted. Preferably, after a time delay - within which the impact / impact of the following vehicle did not happen, now the ignition another pyrotechnic lifting cylinder, which this rear bench along the vertical guide elements moved as a protective barrier in front of the inner rear window area, where they are (Ball) locking elements are arrested / stopped on the roof frame, until it is unlocked manually again. Of course, this mode will only work then driven by the microcomputer, if no people on this Rear seats sit. So that no fragments of the rear window in the Collision can penetrate into the passenger compartment, activates this central Control organ even with personal seat occupancy - which here by two from each other independent Sensors continuously monitored will - simultaneously to the aforementioned switching elements an electromagnetic unlocking actuator, which by means of individual transmission elements one above / below the rear window installed, spring-biased metal foil roller blind unlocked. This becomes hereafter along mutual guideways of the window frame directly on the internal rear window surface linear ausgelängt and stays off, until it is rolled back manually if necessary.

Further Advantages and details can be found in the following description a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing. In the Drawing shows:

1a as a diagram individual components in phase A,

1b as a diagram, individual components in phase B and

1c as a diagram, individual components in the phase C of the protection system according to the invention in detail and

2 the block diagram of an embodiment of a control device of the protection system according to the invention in detail.

• 1 = Zündstartschalter, mittels welchem u. a. der für das erfindungsgemäße Schutzsystem benötigte Betriebsstrom, insbesondere bei Fahrtstellung für eine Steuereinrichtung 2 von der Fahrzeugbatterie abgezweigt/durchgeschaltet wird.
• 2 = Steuereinrichtung (zentralisierte Mikrocomputer-Steuereinheit), welcher alle systemrelevanten Eingangssignale mittels jeweils modulierter Messspannungsimpulse zugeleitet werden, welche in kennfeldgestützten algorithmischen Rechenprogrammen ausgewertet/verarbeitet werden und welche mittels Steuer -Endstufen die jeweiligen Aktoren zu bestimmten Zeiten mit jeweiligem Steuersignalen ansteuert.
• 3 = im fondseitigen Stoßfängerbereich links u. rechts, exakt parallel, zur Fahrzeuglängsachse rückwärtig einjustierte Radarsensoren, welche im Fahrbetrieb kontinuierlich alle innerhalb des Erfassungsbereichs von 25m sich rückwärts näherten Objekte derart erfassen, dass diese hierbei die Geschwindigkeitsdifferenz zwischen dem vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug und dem Folgefahrzeug (also Näherungsgeschwindigkeitswerte) erfassen und der nachgeschalteten Steuereinrichtung 2 mittels Messspannungsimpulse zuführen. Dabei werden diese Distanzwerte aus der kontinuierlichen Messung der Differenzfrequenz von Sendefrequenz u. Empfangsfrequenz abgeleitet. Während der Signallaufzeit (2 s/c₀) ändert die dazu jeweils bidirektional kommunizierende Steuereinrichtung 2 jeweils die Sendefrequenz nicht aber die Empfangsfrequenz. Aus dem Frequenzhub, der Modulationsfrequenz sowie der Signallaufzeit ermittelt diese Steuereinrichtung 2 in bestimmten Zeitabschnitten die jeweiligen Distanzwerte dieser sich distanzierenden/nähernden Folgefahrzeuge und errechnet aus diesen Parametern deren Geschwindigkeitsdifferenzwerte zum vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug. Um eine größtmögliche Präzision der ermittelten Distanzwerte dabei zu gewährleisten, muss der Frequenzbereich dieser beiden Abstandradarsensoren 3 zwischen 10–20 GHz moduliert sein. Sobald in diesen Messzyklen ein um mehr als 34 km/h schnelleres sich näherndes Folgefahrzeug ermittelt wird und sich dasselbe dabei bis auf eine Distanz von 5,5 m zum Heck des vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug näherte, aktiviert die Steuereinrichtung 2 die Aktoren 4; 5; 6; 12; 13 u. 19, so dass diese noch vor dem An-/Aufprall dieses Folgefahrzeuges die hydraulisch gedämpfte, Bewegung der Fahrer-/Beifahrer – Vordersitze in Fahrzeuglängsrichtung (siehe 1a) einsteuern und die Fondsitzbank (gemäß den Funktionsphasen "1 – 2 – 3" in 1b) als Barriere vor die Heckscheibe verlagern, sowie das Metallfolien -Splitterschutzrollo parallel zur Heckscheibe auslängen (siehe 1b).
• 4 = Elektrolytkondensator (Elko), dessen Speicherkapazität im Fahrbetrieb kontinuierlich von der Steuereinrichtung 2 gespeist wird und bei Funktionsauslösung durch die nachgeschalteten Schaltelemente 5/6 völlig entleert wird. Die Zeitdauer dieser kapazitiven Entladung zur Entriegelungsvorrichtung 6 beträgt ca. 5–10 Sekunden.
• 5 = rückwärts sperrender Thyristor, welcher bei Funktionsauslösung – wie unter "3" beschrieben – von der Steuereinrichtung 2 an seinem Gate-Steueranschluss einen positiven Spannungsimpuls erhält und dabei zündet. Hiernach wird dieses Steuerschaltelement leitend und verbleibt im Durchlasszustand wobei die anliegende positive Speicherkapazität des Elko "4" zu elektromagnetischen Entriegelungsvorrichtungen 6 der Fahrer-/Beifahrersitz-Sitzverstellung durchgeschalten werden.
• 6 = Entriegelungsvorrichtung der Fahrer-/Beifahrersitz-Sitzverstellung, welche bei der unter "4/5" Auslösung die zugeleitete Energie in eine longitudinale Schubbewegung des integrierten Schubstößels umsetzt, welche hierbei in Pfeilrichtung den (manuell bedienbaren Rasthebelmechanismus der fahrzeuglängsaxialen Sitzverstellrastung dahingehend entriegelt, dass der Fahrer-/Beifahrersitz für die Zeit von 5–10 Sekunden von den fahrzeuglängsseitigen Sitzverrastung mechanisch getrennt wird.
• 7 = Sitzverrastung des linken/rechten Vordersitzes in Fahrzeuglängsrichtung.
• 8 = Anlenkung der Sitzrahmen des linken/rechten Vordersitzes für die fahrzeuglängsaxial bewegbare Pleuelstange des jeweiligen hydraulischen Stoßdämpfers 9.
• 9 = hydraulischen Stoßdämpfer, welcher jeweils am Fahrer-/Beifahrer-Vordersitzrahmen parallel zur Fahrzeuglängsachse rückwärtig angelenkt ist. Der Stoßdämpfer selbst ist mittels zweier Arretierungsbolzen an der Bodengruppe des Fahrzeuges verankert, so dass im Falle eines rückwärtigen An-/Aufpralls eines Folgefahrzeuges der jeweils mittels der Aktoren 2; 4; 5 u. 6 entrastete Fahrer-/Beifahrersitz von der Pleuelstange jeweils gedämpft rückwärts ggf. bis zum hydraulischen Endanschlag – wie hier durch Strich/Strichlinien dargestellt – bewegt wird, sofern hinter dem jeweiligen Sitz keine Person sitzt.
• W: Warnblinkanlage, welche von der Steuereinrichtung 2 aktiviert wird, sobald ein Folgefahrzeug von den Abstandsradarsensoren "3" mit einer um 35 km/h zum Bezugsfahrzeug erhöhten Fahrgeschwindigkeit erfasst wird und sich dabei bis auf eine Distanz von 5,5 Meter zum Bezugsfahrzeug näherte. Da diesbezüglich der Anprall dieses Fahrzeuges unvermeidlich ist, bleibt die Warnblinkanlage W eingeschaltet, bis diese manuell – bei Räumung des Unfallortes – ausgeschaltet wird.

In the 1a . 1b and 1c are shown as diagrams of the individual components of the protection system in phases A, B and C in detail, these being described below with reference to the reference numerals 1 to 21 be described and explained in more detail.

• 1 = Ignition switch, by means of which inter alia, the required for the protection system according to the invention operating current, in particular when driving position for a control device 2 is branched off / switched by the vehicle battery.
• 2 = Control device (centralized microcomputer control unit) to which all system-relevant input signals are supplied by respectively modulated measuring voltage pulses which are evaluated / processed in map-based algorithmic computer programs and which controls the respective actuators by means of control end stages at specific times with respective control signals.
• 3 = in the fond side bumper area left u. Right, exactly parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis backward adjusted radar sensors, which continuously detect all objects within the detection range of 25m backward approaching objects such that they here the speed difference between the vehicle ahead and the follower vehicle (ie, proximity speed values) and detect the downstream control device 2 by means of measuring voltage pulses. These distance values from the continuous measurement of the difference frequency of transmission frequency u. Receiving frequency derived. During the signal propagation time (2 s / c ₀ ), the respective bidirectionally communicating control device changes 2 in each case the transmission frequency but not the reception frequency. From the frequency deviation, the modulation frequency and the signal propagation time determines this control device 2 in certain time periods, the respective distance values of these dissociating / approaching follower vehicles and calculates from these parameters their speed difference values to the vehicle in front. In order to ensure the greatest possible precision of the determined distance values thereby, the frequency range of these two distance radar sensors must 3 be modulated between 10-20 GHz. As soon as a follower vehicle approaching by more than 34 km / h is detected in these measuring cycles and the same approaching to the rear of the vehicle in front to a distance of 5.5 m, the control device activates 2 the actors 4 ; 5 ; 6 ; 12 ; 13 u. 19 so that this even before the arrival / impact of this follower vehicle, the hydraulically damped, movement of the driver / front passenger seats in the vehicle longitudinal direction (see 1a ) and the rear seat (according to the functional phases "1 - 2 - 3" in 1b ) as a barrier in front of the rear window, as well as the metal foil splinter protection roller blind parallel to the rear window (see 1b ).
• 4 = Electrolytic capacitor (Elko), its storage capacity while driving continuously from the controller 2 is fed and at Funktionsauslö sung by the downstream switching elements 5 / 6 is completely emptied. The duration of this capacitive discharge to the unlocking device 6 is about 5-10 seconds.
• 5 = backward blocking thyristor, which in function triggering - as under " 3 "described - from the controller 2 receives a positive voltage pulse at its gate control terminal and ignites it. Thereafter, this control switching element is conductive and remains in the on state with the applied positive storage capacity of the Elko " 4 "to electromagnetic unlocking devices 6 the driver / front passenger seat adjustment be switched through.
• 6 = Unlocking the driver / front passenger seat adjustment, which at the under " 4 / 5 Triggering the supplied energy converts into a longitudinal thrust movement of the integrated pushrod, which here in the direction of arrow unlocks the (manually operable locking lever mechanism of the vehicle longitudinal axial Sitzverstellrastung to the fact that the driver / passenger seat for the time of 5-10 seconds is mechanically separated from the vehicle longitudinal seat latching ,
• 7 = Sitzverrastung the left / right front seat in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
• 8th = Articulation of the seat frame of the left / right front seat for the vehicle longitudinally movable connecting rod of each hydraulic shock absorber 9 ,
• 9 = hydraulic shock absorber, which is hinged in each case at the front of the driver / passenger front seat frame parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis. The shock absorber itself is anchored by means of two locking bolts on the underbody of the vehicle, so that in the case of a rear impact / impact of a follower vehicle by means of the actuators 2 ; 4 ; 5 u. 6 unlatched driver / passenger seat of the connecting rod each attenuated backward possibly up to the hydraulic limit stop - as shown here by dash / dashed lines - is moved, provided that behind the respective seat no one sits.
• W: hazard warning lights coming from the control device 2 is activated as soon as a follower vehicle is detected by the distance radar sensors " 3 "with a vehicle speed increased by 35 km / h to the reference vehicle and approaching to the distance of 5.5 meters to the reference vehicle, since the impact of this vehicle is unavoidable, the hazard warning lights W remain switched on until they are manually engaged Clearance of the accident site - is switched off.

1b

• 10 = Seat load sensors of all seats of the seat in the rear of the passenger compartment, which is the seat occupancy of all rear passenger seats of the control device 2 signaled.
• 11 = Infrared sensors (double element type), which each consist of two pairs of optical elements, of which each one pair of elements on the wave range of 9.4 microns - as it emits humans - is precisely calibrated, while the other pair of elements of these two sensors each on the deviating Emission spectrum of objects is electronically balanced. These infrared sensors 11 are each left u. installed right in the rear of the passenger compartment so that they detect the entire seat of the rear seats selectively according to persons placed there. The determined values are hereby continuously controlled by filters specifically adapted to them 2 transmitted by means of measuring voltage pulses. This detection mode is suitable as redundant seat occupancy monitoring in order to protect even in the event of a defective seat occupancy sensor (s) 10 by means of the radar sensors 3 determined impending impact / impact of a follower vehicle, the function triggering of the switching elements 12 and 13 to prevent people from sitting in the rear seats). Unless the sensors 10 and 11 determine only one person on the rear seat, activates the controller 2 selectively only the Entriegelungsschaltelemente that front seat, which is not positioned in each case in front of this person, so that at least this front seat - if he is occupied by a person - recoil - is attenuated.
• 12 = Lifting cylinder, which are installed under the seat in the rear, so they with simultaneous ignition of the control device 2 (according to 1b ) these pivotally hinged to the rear bench seat backrest bench seat within a millisecond range time parallel to the backrest pivot, where they by means of ball detents 14 is locked in this folding position. In this regard, the in - cylinder, pulverized propellant charge after ignition must generate such an expanding nitrogen gas volume, the weight - u. Moment of inertia and angle of attack of this rear seat counteracting this time-limited folding mode takes into account. The reciprocating piston and the bench frame mechanically adjusted thereon have on the contact surfaces - as shown here in the side view - provided for this purpose elastomeric elements (rubber buffer). There are two of these lifting cylinder units installed under this rear bench seat (1st / r.) Whose reciprocating pistons are moved vertically after ignition to an internal end stop and then (see 1c ) return to their lower starting position by gravity and a vent hole that has become free, so that they can be regenerated again. The cylinder housing is statically locked to the floor panel of the vehicle chassis.
• " 13 "= Lifting cylinder, which (see also the functional phases" 1 - 2 - 3 "1st mr) are locked in such a symmetrical way to the backrest vertical axis under this rear seat backrest on the floor panel of the motor vehicle chassis that they simultaneous ignition of the control device (see 1c ) the rear bench seat along both sides installed vertical guide rails 16 As an internal rear protective barrier, move vertically in front of the rear window, where they are locked by means of specific (ball) locking elements on the internal roof frame - until they are possibly unlocked manually after the vehicle - rear impact, if necessary. In this regard, the in-cylinder, pulverized propellant charge after ignition must generate such an expanding nitrogen gas volume, which counteracts the weight and moment of inertia of this rear bench seat, move it vertically within a millisecond range to the locking stop on the internal roof frame. Taking this function into account, the cylinder housings must be externally installed with adequate pressure resistance on / in the chassis of the vehicle chassis. The reciprocating vertically moved to the respective internal limit stops reciprocating return analogous to those of the lifting cylinder 12 also acted upon by gravity and a vent channeling back to their lower starting positions, with which they (after disassembly) are also regenerated again.
• 14 = Ball locking elements of the rear bench seat / backrest, consisting of the locking pin of the seat, and the spring ball locking receptacle of the backrest, which in the pivotal pivoting movement of the seat (see function phase "2") interlock and continue - see function phase "3" remain locked until they are unlocked manually after a rear vehicle crash. In this regard, they are installed in sufficiently optimized mechanical dimensions on both sides of this seat.
• 15 = Roof frame of the vehicle chassis, in which guide rails 16 the rear seat backrest are increasingly locked, so that the same when entering objects through the rear window and subsequently acted as bumpers rear seat (see function phase 3) of this thus rearranged as a barrier rear bench seat enough to hold even against high energy objects, without getting out of this to solve this anchoring, or to deform in it. If, for structural reasons, this special roof frame reinforcement, such as in convertible bodies, not be feasible, so is the anchoring of these guide rails 16 in the hat rack area of the vehicle chassis.
• 16 Backrest rails, which represent the only locking / guiding elements of the rear bench seat to the vehicle chassis before / after vertical movement. These spars must be designed very resistant to deformation in order to give the penetration of objects through the rear window of the subsequently used as a bumper rear bench seat (see function phase 3) of this thus converted as a barrier rear bench seat sufficient support even against high energy objects without deforming forward. At their ends, these guide elements each have radially encircling locking recesses, by means of which the spring-loaded detent balls of the vertical backrest guideways (see function phase 3) engage in the rear seat frame stop position and remain locked until they are possibly manually unlocked again after the respective driveway accident.

Function phase "1":

Here's the controller 2 due to not too fast approximation of a follower vehicle the lifting cylinder " 12 / 13 "Both the seat and the backrest, with their lower (elastomeric) buffer elements, lie on the buffer elements of the (pyrotechnic) lifting cylinders 12 and 13 on and off of the integrated in the backrest guide rails 16 kept in the passenger compartment.

Function phase "2":

Due to a backward too fast and too close ascended follower vehicle, the controller has 2 with advance, simultaneously the two lifting cylinders 12 ignited electronically, the same fold in the arrow lines shown here within a millisecond range time the drehschwenkbare rear bench seat parallel to the backrest.

Function phase "3":

The control device 2 ignites with a time delay in the millisecond range after the functional phase is completed, but with the radar sensors 3 located subsequent vehicle has not yet bounced backwards, the three left - center - right vertically arranged under the rear seat back lift cylinder 13 , this according to the arrow lines shown here, their reciprocating simultaneously explosively vertically again now collapsed - lying, moving the rear bench seat and the same up to the vertical stop along the anchored guide rails 16 as a rear barrier for (the) passenger compartment front occupants, move internally in front of the rear window.

1c

• 17 = installed parallel to the upper / lower rear window frame, biased by spring metal foil roller blind, which after unlocking by means of the actuator provided for this purpose 19 in the direction of arrows shown here parallel to the internal rear window area relaxed / lengthened - and lengthened as splinter protection remains until thereafter if necessary like which is rolled back manually.
• 18 Guide segment of this metal foil blinds, which is installed directly on the window frame and has an internal longitudinal guide track, which is symmetrical to the mutually installed on the window frame vertical guideways 21 runs.
• 19 = electromagnetic Entriegelungsaktor, which from the control device 2 is activated as soon as a follower vehicle from the distance radar sensors 3 is detected with increased by 35 km / h to the reference vehicle driving speed and this approached to a distance of 5.5 meters to the reference vehicle, since now the impact of this vehicle is obviously unavoidable. In this short-term activation of this receives a positive control voltage pulse, where he his thrust plate in the direction of the arrow against spring force resettable Durchlassventilschieber " 20 "kinematized.
• 20 = Resettable by spring force return valve slide, which when moving via 19 for one from the controller 2 defined time switching unit in the arrow direction, the guide cross section between the guide segment 18 as well as the roller blinds which are installed vertically on both sides of the window frame of this rear window, these roller blinds being preloaded by means of a spring 17 extends in a tenth of a second parallel to the rear window u. remains exhausted, because after this tenth of a second this passage valve spool 21 his entitled segment of the now fully extended metal foil blinds 17 between the elements 18 and 21 mechanically blocked, so that a rewinding is prevented and thus this splinter protection - metal foil roller blind 17 after this accident, if necessary, can only be manually re-rolled.
• " 21 "= on both sides of the frame of the rear window parallel to each other, vertically extending guide track - segments in the longitudinal direction of the rear window, by means of which the metal foil roller blind 17 even before the collision of the following vehicle with a distance of approx. 2-5 mm leads to the internal rear window area longitudinally.

Brief explanation of the (switching) elements described in advance in your function 1 - 21 of the protection system according to the invention:
At the start of the journey, the centralized microcomputer control unit, which is now supplied with operating power, activates " 2 "Radar sensors swept rearward parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis" 3 "continuously.

Of the driver stops at a traffic light junction when it receives a colored light signal Continued driving denied.

Yet before the driver receives the onward signal approaches it turns retrograde another motor vehicle at a speed - u. Consequently also speed difference of 55 km / h.

There the driver This vehicle is distracted, he does not delay his vehicle.

This now in the measuring distance of 25m of Abstandradarsensoren " 3 "Immediately approached following vehicle is detected, whereby its speed difference" dv "and distance values to the reference vehicle are determined in continuous measuring cycles and the central microcomp.control unit is transmitted via proportional measuring voltage pulses.

This Next vehicle approaches the still standing reference vehicle with undiminished Driving speed (55 km / h) except for the function-triggering. distance from five and a half Meters.

Then activates the centr. Mikrocomp.-Steuereinh. " 2 "the actors:" 5 ; 6 ; 12 u. 13 ", provided the sensor switching elements:" 10 u. 11 "did not identify any persons placed in the back in the described system configuration.

If only one person is placed on the rear bench seat, the tax body controls " 2 "only the actors:" 5 u 6 "of the front seat, which is not positioned in front of this person The hazard warning lights" W "is animated in any case here The actor:" 19 "However, it will be centrally controlled by this microcomputing control unit." 2 "animated to function even in backward fully occupied seats to establish in any case a defined additional fragmentation glass prevention in the rear before the definitive impact of this follower vehicle.

If the undelayed following vehicle collides with the reference vehicle, these actuators have, due to these system-integrated integrated FM-CW millimeter-wave distance radar sensors " 3 ", or by means of their specific rearward far sight already applied all their functions, which in the conventional collision shock acceleration sensor technology as they are currently still used for example for airbag deployment, would not be feasible, so this specific distance radar arrival / impact sensor mode The described type and resolution, among other things, would also be predestined for this airbag sensor system, especially for so-called soft airbags, provided that they remain inflated longer in this regard for expanded time units.

In the 2 the internal / external switching function diagram of the electronic control unit is shown in the block diagram.

This electronic control device has a microcomputer system with microprocessor unit, which integrates the various electronic maps and a CPU arithmetic unit, a ROM read only memory u. a RAM operating data memory.

When core this electronic control unit In this case, the microprocessor unit is predestined with its own quartz oscillator clock supply.

In you are all relevant data including the maps, as well the programs for capturing the input signal quantities: "E1; E3; E10 and E11" indelible stored.

Of the Data memory is accordingly as "PROM" (Programmable Read Only Memory).

For this become all relevant sensory measuring voltage input signals via module-external conductor tracks u. Module internal pulse shaper - u. Analog - digital converter - switching stages, as well as one for the Operating voltage predestined Pulse amplifier module transmitted.

The output control voltage signals to the respective actuators: "W; 6 ; 12 ; 13 u. 19 "are individually modulated in specific control output modules and definitely via the module-external actuator conductor tracks:"AW;A6;A12; A13 u. A19 "selectively controlled to these networked actuators.

This module-internal microcomputer system accordingly has a defined stabilized base clock in whose time grid all for this System configuration specifically individualized arithmetic operations be applied algorithmically / logarithmically. This stabilized Clock frequency modulates a specific quartz oscillator with 7.5 megahertz.

The Product components of this centralized microcomputer control unit, which the elements: metallic base plate; Thick layer plate; Capacitors. Chip and the contact blocks for the connection pins module-specific integrate with each other, are analogous with respect to their coupling to conventional electronic control switching devices for the automotive sector combined so that they have the function of integrated Crisps; Transistor u. Resistance switching elements, etc. in a temperature range from -35 up to +55 ° C grant can.

This Control switch module should be in the car dashboard area of the cockpit vibration damping be installed.

Claims (13)

Method for protecting the front occupants of a vehicle ahead in the event of its rear impact risk, in which - in the vehicle ahead, the speed difference and the distance between the latter and the following vehicle is continuously measured, - in the vehicle ahead, the measured values by means of a control device ( 2 ) are evaluated, and - controlled by the control device, when predefinable limit values are undershot ( 2 ) • the front seats are unlocked and then move parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, • the front seats are damped in this direction during relocation, and • a metal foil roller blind ( 17 ) in front of the rear window along mutual guideways ( 21 ) is stretched. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that for in the event that no person is seated on the rear bench seat, the rear seat bench and / or its backrest is moved in front of the rear window. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the limits have a speed difference higher than 35 km / h and falls below a distance of 5.5 m to the following vehicle are. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that as a security measure additionally the Hazard warning (W) is turned on. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that first shift the rear bench seat in front of the backrest and then both becomes. Protection system for the protection of the front occupants of a vehicle ahead in the event of its rearward impact risk, with - two radar sensors ( 3 ) in the preceding vehicle for continuously measuring the speed difference between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle, - one of the signals of the radar sensors ( 3 ) evaluating control device ( 2 ) for determining the distance between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle, - one of the control device ( 2 ) controlled electromagnetic unlocking device ( 6 ) for unlocking the front seats in the vehicle ahead when falling below a predefined distance of 5.5 m at a speed difference of at least 35 km / h, - a hydraulic shock absorber ( 9 ) for damping the respective front seat push movement of the unlatched driver and / or passenger seat in the direction parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis and - one of the control device ( 2 ) controlled electromagnetic unlocking actuator ( 19 ), wel cher arranged on both sides of the rear window guideways ( 21 ), in which a metal foil blind is guided, which is blocked after elongation. Protection system according to claim 6, characterized in that in the event that no person sits on the rear bench seat, one with the control device ( 2 ) and arranged under the rear bench seat lifting device ( 12 . 13 ) moves the rear bench seat and / or the backrest in front of the rear window. Protection system according to claim 6, characterized in that between control device ( 2 ) and unlocking device ( 6 ) a time-delayed control ( 4 . 5 ) he follows. Protection system according to claim 8, characterized in that the time delay is compensated by a capacitor ( 4 ) and a thyristor ( 5 ) and at least 5 seconds is at most 10 seconds. Protection system according to claim 6, characterized in that by means of seat load sensors ( 10 ) and / or infrared sensors ( 11 ) the presence of persons or objects on the rear bench seat is detected. Protection system according to claim 7, characterized in that on the backrest locking elements ( 14 ) are arranged for the front seat backrest displaced in front of the backrest and that the rear bench seat and backrest together in guide rails arranged on both sides ( 16 ) are relocated. Protection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the lifting device ( 12 . 13 ) from two lifting cylinders ( 12 . 13 ), whose in-cylinder powdered propellant generates a gas volume after ignition. Protection system according to claim 6, characterized in that the. Control device ( 2 ) is configured as a microcomputer system with a microprocessor unit and generates control signals in accordance with stored characteristic fields by means of a CPU arithmetic unit, a ROM read-only memory and a RAM operating data memory.