GB2316371A

GB2316371A - Vehicle saftey device

Info

Publication number: GB2316371A
Application number: GB9617739A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Anthony Finney
Original assignee: Concept Mouldings Ltd
Current assignee: Concept Mouldings Ltd
Priority date: 1996-08-23
Filing date: 1996-08-23
Publication date: 1998-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 2016-08-23
Also published as: GB9617739D0; GB2316371A8; GB2316371B

Abstract

A safety device for a vehicle, comprising air bags 20 attachable to a vehicle V for storage in a first, non-inflated condition, and sensor means 12 arranged to sense collision or imminent collision of the vehicle V with an object (not shown) outside of the vehicle such as a pedestrian. On sensing such collision or imminent collision, the sensor means 12 actuates inflation of the air bags 20 to a second, deployed condition in which the air bags 20 extend, inflated, over the bonnet of vehicle V to cushion the collision between the vehicle V and the object.

Description

2316371 Improvements in or Relating to Vehicle SdCty The present invention

concerns improvements in or relating to vehicle safety and particularly but not exclusively to vehicle safety for pedestrians.

Improving the safety of road vehicles is currently a major issue, both from the point of view of vehicle occupant safety and pedestrian safety.

Concern has risen dramatically for the safety of pedestrians hit by motor vehicles. Usually when a pedestrian is hit by a moving vehicle the pedestrian's head and upper body area impact the bonnet of the vehicle, which impact often causing severe damage to the pedestrian. It is often such impact with the bonnet that causes fatalities.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a safety device for a vehicle, the device comprising cushioning means attachable to the vehicle for storage in a first condition and sensor means arranged to sense collision or imminent collision of the vehicle with an object outside of the vehicle such as a pedestrian, whereupon the sensor means actuates deployment of the cushioning means to a second condition in which the means extends over at least a part of the vehicle to cushion the collision between the vehicle and the object.

Preferably the means is arranged for deployment to extend over at least a part of the front of a vehicle, whereby to cushion collision between generally the front of the vehicle and an object generally in front thereof, when the vehicle is moving in a usual forward direction. The cushioning means preferably extends over the bonnet of the vehicle when deployed so as to be able to cushion the impact of a pedestrian hit by the front of a vehicle with the bonnet area of that vehicle.

The cushioning means is preferably stored in a vehicle guard, such as a 2 "nudge bar" or "bull bar", attachable to a vehicle. The cushioning means is preferably located toward the in use uppermost region of the vehicle guard wherefrom it is deployable to extend over the vehicle. The cushioning means is preferably arranged to extend across substantially the width of a vehicle, and desirably at least the width of the bonnet of a vehicle when deployed.

Preferably the cushioning means is inflatable from the first to the second conditions. The cushioning means may comprise one or more bags which are inflated by suitable inflation means, such as one or more canisters of gas upon deployment. Preferably a series of bags is provided across substantially the top of the vehicle guard to be simultaneously deployable. The cushioning means is preferably stored behind a protective cover which cover is rupturable or otherwise removable from over the means upon deployment to allow inflation thereof. Preferably the or each bag is contained in a covered recess in the vehicle guard, which recess generally faces the vehicle to which the guard is attached.

Preferably the sensor means comprises one or more of load and movement sensing means, such as means to sense impact of the vehicle or sharp deceleration of the vehicle to which the sensor means is attached. The sensing means may be located in the vehicle guard.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle guard, such as a "bull bar" or "nudge bar", comprising a safety device generally as described in the preceding five paragraphs.

Preferably the vehicle guard comprises a framework desirably of plastics material and/or metal locatable around the front of a vehicle. The framework may be covered with a polyurethane material to further reduce the risk of serious injury to a pedestrian impacted thereby.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- 3 Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a vehicle guard according to the present invention, fitted to the front of a vehicle; Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows the safety device of Fig. 1 in a deployed condition; and Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided a safety device for a vehicle, the device comprising an inflatable cushioning means 10 attachable to a vehicle V for storage in a first, non-inflated condition, and sensor means 12 arranged to sense collision or inuninent collision of the vehicle V with an object (not shown) outside of the vehicle such as a pedestrian, whereupon the sensor means 12 actuates inflation of the inflatable means 10 to a second, deployed condition in which the inflatable means 10 extends, inflated, over at least a part of the vehicle V to cushion the collision between the vehicle V and the object.

In more detail, the device of the present invention is principally intended to be incorporated into a vehicle guard 14 attached to the front of the vehicle V, which guards are often termed "nudge bars" or "bull bars".

The vehicle guard 14 may be of any design, and is shown in the figures as comprising two generally upwardly extending fixing arms 16 attached at one end to the vehicle to extend up in front of the vehicle V generally to the height of the bonnet line of the vehicle V. A top cross member 18 extends across the front of the vehicle V to wrap part way around the front corners of the vehicle V, which cross member 18 is securely attached to the fixing arms 16. A lower cross member 19 of similar design is also shown. A polyurethane sheath covers the arms 16 and members 18,19 to help reduce the risk of injury to a pedestrian but by the guard 14. The arms 16 and members 18,19 may be of metal and/or plastics material. The vehicle guard 14 thereby protects the front of the vehicle V against slight collisions with objects at the front of the vehicle 4 V, and is also considered by some to improve the appearance of the vehicle V.

The inflatable means 10 comprises a series of three air bags 20 (Figs. 2 and 4) which when in the first, non-inflated condition are folded and located in recesses 22 formed in the top cross member 18 between the fixing arms 16. 1Each bag is attached at one end to the respective recess 22. A removable cover, such as a rupturable polyurethane membrane protects the air bags 20 in the recesses 22 when in the first condition as well as removing them from view.

The sensor means 12 comprises a movement sensor to sense rapid deceleration of the vehicle. It is to be appreciated that the sensor means 12 could sense any suitable parameter to sense an imminent collision and/or to sense the on-set of a -collision, such means may comprise a load sensor for example. A sensor 12 is located in a fixing arms 16, and it is proposed that a sensor 12 is provided in each of the fixing arms 16. The sensor 12 in the respective fixing arms 16 may sense different parameters to increase the efficacy of the device.

In use, the safety device is discretely comprised within a vehicle guard 14, and thereby does not affect the external appearance of the guard 14. Moreover, the sensitivity of the sensors 12 is selected such that the inflatable means 10 is not deployed upon minor impact of the vehicle guard or upon deceleration of the vehicle V during normal use.

However, upon collision or sharp deceleration towards a possible collision with an object outside the vehicle V, such as a pedestrian, the sensor means 12 actuates deployment of the air bags 20. Inflation means, such as gas canisters (not shown) comprised in the vehicle guard 14 are actuated upon sensing sharp deceleration, impact etc. to cause rapid inflation of each of the air bags 20. Inflation of the air bags 20 causes rupture of the respective membrane covers, whereby the air bags extend from the respective recess 22 over the bonnet of the vehicle V. The attachment of the air bags 20 at one end in the respective recesses 22 anchors them in position, the recesses 22 and the air bags 20 being configured such that the air bags 20 automatically extend over the bonnet upon actuation.

The air bags 20 are actuated simultaneously and instantaneously, to provide a cushion between the bonnet area of the vehicle V and the upper body and particularly the head of a pedestrian hit by the vehicle V.

It is therefore apparent that the safety device of the present invention significantly reduces the risk of serious injury to a pedestrian hit by a vehicle comprising such a safety device, and in particular obviates or mitigates the damage caused by impact of a pedestrian's head of the vehicle.

It is to be appreciated that vehicle guards, such as "nudge bars" or "bull bars" incorporating a safety device as hereinbefore described, fall within the scope of the present invention.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example, the design of the vehicle guard may be of any suitable form, but it is preferable that the air bags are stored toward the top of the vehicle guard 14 for ready deployment to the second condition. Any suitable number of air bags may be provided, for example one large air bag to cover the whole of the bonnet may be used. Also, the inflatable cushioning means may be replaced by other suitable cushioning means, such as settable liquid foam or the like. Such foam may be used to fill the bag(s) similar to the air bag(s) upon deployment.

The provision of the safety device 10 is primarily intended to reduce the risk of injury through front end collisions, but within the scope of the invention the device could be used on any other side of the vehicle to cushion collisions therewith.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should

6 be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

7

Claims

1. A safety device for a vehicle, the device comprising cushioning means attachable to the vehicle for storage in a first condition and sensor means arranged to sense collision or imminent collision of the vehicle with an object outside of the vehicle, whereupon the sensor means actuates deployment of the cushioning means to a second condition in which the cushioning means extends over at least a part of the vehicle to cushion the collision between the vehicle and the object.

2. A safety device according to claim 1, in which the cushioning means is arranged for deployment to extend over at least a part of the front of a vehicle, whereby to cushion collision between generally the front of the vehicle and an object generally in front thereof, when the vehicle is moving in a usual forward direction.

3. A safety device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the cushioning means extends over the bonnet of the vehicle when deployed so as to be able to cushion the impact of a pedestrian hit by the front of a vehicle with the bonnet area of that vehicle.

4. A safety device according to any preceding claim, in which the cushioning means is arranged to extend across substantially the width of a vehicle.

5. A safety device according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the cushioning means is arranged to extend across at least the width of the bonnet of a vehicle when deployed.

6. A safety device according to any preceding claim, in which the cushioning means is inflatable from the first to the second conditions.

7. A safety device according to any preceding claim, in which the cushioning means comprises one or more bags which are inflated by inflation 8 means upon deployment.

8. A safety device according to claim 7, in which the inflation means comprises one or more canisters of gas.

9. A safety device according to any preceding claim, in which the cushioning means is stored behind a protective cover which cover is rupturable or otherwise removable upon deployment of the cushioning means to allow inflation thereof.

10. A safety device according to any preceding claim, in which the cushioning means is stored in a vehicle guard attachable to a vehicle.

11. A safety device according to claim 10, in which the vehicle guard is a "nudge bar" or "bull bar".

12. A safety device according to claim 10 or 11, in which the cushioning means is located toward the in use uppermost region of the vehicle guard wherefrom, it is deployable to extend over at least the said part of the vehicle.

13. A safety device according to any of claims 10 to 12, in which a series of bags is provided across substantially the top of the vehicle guard to be simultaneously deployable.

14. A safety device according to any of claims 9 to 13, in which the cushioning means is contained in a covered recess in the vehicle guard, which recess generally faces the vehicle to which the guard is attached.

15. A safety device according to any preceding claim, in which the sensor means comprises one or more of load and movement sensing means.

16. A safety device according to claim 15, in which the sensor means comprises means to sense impact of the vehicle or sharp deceleration of the 9 vehicle to which the sensor means is attached.

17. A safety device according to claim 15 or 16, in which the sensor means is located in a vehicle guard.

18. A vehicle guard comprising a safety device generally as described in any of the preceding claims.

19. A vehicle guard according to claim 18, in which the vehicle guard comprises a "bull bar" or "nudge bar".

20. A vehicle guard according to claim 18 or 19, in which the vehicle guard comprises a framework locatable around the front of a vehicle.

21. A vehicle guard according to claim 20, in which the framework comprises plastics material.

22. A vehicle guard according to claim 2 0 or 2 1, in which the framework comprises metal.

23. A vehicle guard according to any of claims 20 to 22, in which the framework is covered with a polyurethane material to further reduce the fisk of serious injury to a pedestrian impacted thereby.

24. A safety device substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A vehicle guard substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.