GB2515396A - Safety system for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle - Google Patents

Safety system for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2515396A
GB2515396A GB1408608.6A GB201408608A GB2515396A GB 2515396 A GB2515396 A GB 2515396A GB 201408608 A GB201408608 A GB 201408608A GB 2515396 A GB2515396 A GB 2515396A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
airbag
vehicle
bonnet
pedestrian
safety system
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1408608.6A
Other versions
GB201408608D0 (en
Inventor
Kalyan Cheruvu
Gopal Krishnan Chinnaswamy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mercedes Benz Group AG
Original Assignee
Daimler AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daimler AG filed Critical Daimler AG
Priority to GB1408608.6A priority Critical patent/GB2515396A/en
Publication of GB201408608D0 publication Critical patent/GB201408608D0/en
Publication of GB2515396A publication Critical patent/GB2515396A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/34—Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians
    • B60R21/36—Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians using airbags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
    • B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
    • B60R19/24—Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles
    • B60R19/38—Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles adjustably or movably mounted, e.g. horizontally displaceable for securing a space between parked vehicles
    • B60R19/40—Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles adjustably or movably mounted, e.g. horizontally displaceable for securing a space between parked vehicles in the direction of an obstacle before a collision, or extending during driving of the vehicle, i.e. to increase the energy absorption capacity of the bumper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/34—Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians
    • B60R21/38—Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians using means for lifting bonnets

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Superstructure Of Vehicle (AREA)

Abstract

A safety system for a vehicle, wherein in case of a collision with a pedestrian: a front bumper 60 is extended forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10; at least one portion 27 of a bonnet 22 is lifted from a normal position into at least one protective position; at least one airbag 44 is deployed from a stowage position into a protective position covering at least a portion of the bonnet. Preferably the bonnet comprises front 30 and rear 27 portions, which are movable in relation to each other; in the protective position, an opening (52, figure 6) is formed between the front and rear portions; the airbag is attached to an underside 50 of the rear portion and extends through the opening to cover at least a portion of either or both upper sides 46, 48 of the front and rear portions.

Description

Safety System for a Vehicle, in particular a Passenger Vehicle The invention relates to a safety system according to the preamble of patent claim 1.
Such a safety system for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle is known from DE 10 2005 050 107 Al. The safety system comprises a bonnet which is a front lid. The bonnet has at least one portion which is capable of being lifted from a normal position into at least one protective position in case of a collision with a pedestrian. In other words, when a collision of the vehicle with a pedestrian or a cyclist is detected, the bonnet is lifted upwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle so that the bonnet is moved from its normal position into its protective position.
Moreover, the safety system comprises at least one airbag which is capable of being deployed from a stowage position into a protective position in case of the collision with the pedestrian. In the protective position, the airbag covers at least a portion of the bonnet.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a safety system of the aforementioned kind, by means of which safety system a pedestrian or a cyclist colliding with the vehicle can be protected particularly advantageously.
This object is solved by a safety system having the features of patent claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial developments of the invention are indicated in the other patent claims.
In order to provide a safety system of the kind indicated in the preamble of patent claim 1, by means of which safety system a pedestrian or a cyclist colliding with the vehicle can be protected particularly advantageously, according to the present invention, the safety system comprises a front bumper of the vehicle, the front bumper being configured to be extended forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in case of the collision with the pedestrian or the cyclist. By extending, i.e. moving the front bumper forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a particularly advantageous movement of the pedestrian colliding with the vehicle can be effected. As a consequence of this particularly advantageous movement of the pedestrian, the pedestrian can be supported and cushioned by the bonnet and the airbag so that, for example, the pedestrian's head can be protected.
Moreover, a particularly effective energy absorption can be realized by the ejected bonnet and the front bumper both being in the respective protective positions. In other words, by ejecting the bumper, the kinematics or movement of the pedestrian during the collision with the vehicle can be influenced in a need-based manner so that the pedestrian can be supported and cushioned particularly effectively and efficiently. Thus, the risk of injuries can be kept particularly low.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one portion is a rear portion of the bonnet. The bonnet further comprises a front portion which is arranged in front of the rear portion with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The portions of the bonnet are movable in relation to each other. In the protective position of the rear portion, an opening between the portions of the bonnet is open. In the protective position of the airbag, the airbag extends through the opening so that a particularly large area of the rear portion and/or the front portion of the bonnet can be covered by the airbag being in the protective position. Preferably, at least a major portion of the rear portion is covered by the airbag in the protective position.
Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of a preferred embodiment as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respective indicated combination but also in any combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.
The drawings show in: Fig. 1 part of a schematic side view of a vehicle in the form of a passenger vehicle having a safety system which comprises a bonnet, at least one airbag, and a front bumper of the vehicle, the bonnet, the airbag and the front bumper being movable into respective protective positions for protecting a pedestrian colliding with the vehicle; Fig. 2 part of a schematic side view of the passenger vehicle, wherein the bonnet, the bumper, and the airbag are in the respective protective positions; Fig. 3 part of a schematic side view of the passenger vehicle according to Fig. 2; Fig. 4 part of a schematic top view of the passenger vehicle; Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of the bonnet along a cut line A-A shown in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 a further schematic sectional view of the bonnet, the bonnet and the airbag being in the respective protective positions.
In the figures the same elements or elements having the same functions are designated with the same reference signs.
Fig. 1 shows a vehicle in the form of a passenger vehicle 10 driving along a road 12. The direction of forward movement of the passenger vehicle 10 is illustrated by a directional arrow 14 in Fig. 1.
Fig. 1 also shows a pedestrian 16 crossing the road 12. A walking direction of the pedestrian 16 is illustrated by a directional arrow 18. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the passenger vehicle 10 collides with the pedestrian 16. The passenger vehicle 10 comprises a safety system 20 by means of which the risk of injuries of the pedestrian 16 can be kept particularly low. As can be seen from Figs. 1 to 6, the safety system 20 comprises a bonnet 22 of the passenger vehicle 10. The bonnet 22 is a front lid arranged in a front region 24 of the passenger vehicle 10. The passenger vehicle 10 further comprises a windscreen 26 which adjoins the bonnet 22 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle towards the back.
The bonnet 22 comprises a first portion which is a rear portion 27. The rear portion 27 is formed by a rear part 28 of the bonnet 22. Furthermore, the bonnet 22 comprises a second portion which is a front portion 30. The front portion 30 is formed by a front part 32 of the bonnet 22. This means the bonnet 22 is divided or split into the two parts 28, 30 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As can be seen from Fig. 4, the front part 32 and, thus, the front portion 30 are arranged in front of the rear part 28 and, thus, the rear portion 27 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The parts 28, 32 are movably hold on the body of the passenger vehicle 10. Moreover, the parts 28, 32 are movable in relation to each other.
As can be seen from Figs. 5 and 6, the respective parts 28, 32 are movably held on the body of the passenger vehicle 10 by lever elements 34, 36. For example, the lever element 36 is pivotably mounted on the rear pad 28 on one side and the body on the other side. Moreover, the lever elements 34 are pivotably held on the body on one side and the respective parts 28, 32 on the other side. Furthermore, the respective lever elements 34 comprise lever arms 38 which are pivotably connected to one another.
The respective parts 28, 32 are movable in relation to each other and in relation to the body. For example, both parts 28, 32 are capable of being lifted from respective normal positions shown in Figs. 1 and 5 into respective protective positions shown in Figs. 3 and 6 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.
The safety system 20 further comprises at least one airbag system 40 having a housing 42 and at least one airbag 44. The airbag 44 is capable of being deployed from a stowage position shown in Fig. 5 into at least one protective position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6. In the stowage position, the airbag 44 is stowed inside the housing 42. In the protective position, at least a portion of an upper side 46 of the rear part 28 is covered by the airbag 44. As can be seen from Figs. 3 and 6, at least a portion of an upper side 48 of the front part 42 is covered by the airbag 44 in the protective position.
The airbag system 40, in particular the housing 42 is attached to an underside 50 of the rear part 28, the underside 50 facing away from the upper side 46. In the protective position of the rear part 28, an opening 52 between the parts 28, 32 is open. The airbag 44 extends from the underside 50, in particular the housing 42, through the open opening 54 to the respective upper sides 46, 48 in its protective position. Since the airbag 44 is attached to the housing 42, the airbag 44, in particular the airbag system 40 is moved together with the rear part 28 from the normal position into the protective position of the rear part 28.
As can be seen from Fig. 4, the airbag system 40 comprises an inflating device 54 having Iwo inflators 56 for inflating the airbag 44. The airbag 44 is fluidically connected to the inflators 56 by duct elements 58 which are, for example, gas pipes. Gas for inflating and, thus, deploying the airbag 44 can be guided from the inflators 56 through the duct elements 58 into the airbag 44. As can be seen from Fig. 4, the airbag 44 extends at least across a major portion of the width of the bonnet 22 with respect to the transverse direction of the vehicle at least in the protective position of the airbag 44.
The safety system 20 further comprises a front bumper 60 of the passenger vehicle 10.
The front bumper 60 is configured to be extended, i.e. moved forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in case of the collision of the passenger vehicle 10 with the pedestrian 16. By extending or ejecting the front bumper 60 forward, a particularly advantageous movement of the pedestrian 16 during the collision can be effected.
For example, the safety system 20 comprises at least one sensor configured to detect a collision of the passenger vehicle 10 with the pedestrian 16. When an impact of the pedestrian 16 on the passenger vehicle 10 is detected by the sensor, at first, the front bumper 60 is ejected, i.e. extended. Thus, a particularly advantageous movement of the pedestrian 16 onto the bonnet 22 can be effected. Before the pedestrian 16 falls onto the bonnet 22, the bonnet 22 is lifted, i.e. ejected and thereby split into the parts 28, 32.
Moreover, the airbag 44 is deployed into the protective position by means of the inflators 56 so that the airbag 44 is moved through the opening 52. Hence, the airbag 44 covers at least a portion of the upper side 46 so that the pedestrian 16 can be supported and cushioned by means of the airbag 44 being in the protective position. The fully deployed airbag 44 and the ejected bonnet 22 can absorb impact energy from the pedestrian 16 thereby keeping the risk of injuries particularly low.
For example, in a first phase of the collision, the front bumper 60 is ejected and the bonnet 22 is lifted. In a second phase, the lifted lower front part 32 absorbs impact energy and the airbag 44 is triggered. In a third phase the feet of the pedestrian 16 are lifted off the road 12. Moreover, energy from the upper body of the pedestrian 16 can be absorbed by the airbag 44 and the bonnet 22, in particular the upper rear part 28. Especially the head of the pedestrian 16 can be cushioned by the airbag 44. In a fourth phase, the full body of the pedestrian 16 is on the passenger vehicle 10, wherein impact energy from the pedestrian 16 can be fully absorbed by the ejected bonnet 22 and the airbag 44.
Moreover, a contact between the head of the pedestrian 16 and the passenger vehicle 10 can be avoided.
List of reference signs passenger vehicle 12 road 14 directional arrow 16 pedestrian 18 directional arrow safety system 22 bonnet 24 front region 26 windscreen 27 rear portion 28 rear part front portion 32 front part 34 lever element 36 lever element 38 lever arm airbag system 42 housing 44 airbag 46 upper side 48 upper side under side 52 opening 54 inflating device 56 Inflator 58 duct element front bumper

Claims (4)

  1. Claims A safety system (20) for avehicle(10), the safety system (20) comprising: -a bonnet (22) having at least one portion (27) capable of being lifted from a normal position into at least one protective position in case of a collision with a pedestrian (16); -at least one airbag (44) capable of being deployed from a stowage position into a protective position in case of the collision with the pedestrian (16), the airbag (44) covering at least a portion of the bonnet (22) in the protective position; characterised in that the safety system (20) comprises a front bumper (60) of the vehicle (10), the front bumper (60) being configured to be extended forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (10) in case of the collision with the pedestrian (16).
  2. 2. The safety system (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one portion (27) is a rear portion (27) of the bonnet (22) which comprises a front portion (30) arranged in front of the rear portion (27) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (10), the portions (27, 30) being movable in relation to each other, wherein in the protective position of the rear portion (27) an opening (52) between the portions (27, 30) is open, the airbag (44) extending through the opening (52) in the protective position of the airbag (44).
  3. 3. The safety system (20) according to claim 2, characterised in that the airbag (44) is attached to an underside (50) of the rear portion (27), extends from the underside (50) through the opening (52) to an upper side (46) of the rearSportion (27), and covers at least a portion of the upper side (46) in the protective position.
  4. 4. The safety system (20) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that at least a portion of an upper side (46) of the front portion (30) is covered by the airbag (44) in the protective position.
GB1408608.6A 2014-05-15 2014-05-15 Safety system for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle Withdrawn GB2515396A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1408608.6A GB2515396A (en) 2014-05-15 2014-05-15 Safety system for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1408608.6A GB2515396A (en) 2014-05-15 2014-05-15 Safety system for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201408608D0 GB201408608D0 (en) 2014-06-25
GB2515396A true GB2515396A (en) 2014-12-24

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ID=51032806

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1408608.6A Withdrawn GB2515396A (en) 2014-05-15 2014-05-15 Safety system for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2515396A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2530618A (en) * 2014-08-15 2016-03-30 Ford Global Tech Llc Active hood front cover for pedestrian protection
US9580030B2 (en) 2015-04-08 2017-02-28 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Bumper assemblies including lower reinforcement members

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH07125606A (en) * 1993-10-29 1995-05-16 Toyota Motor Corp Hood air bag device
DE10037051A1 (en) * 2000-07-29 2002-02-28 Acts Gmbh & Co Kg Car with bonnet (hood) acting as safety device has bonnet pivoted at bumper height and closing mechanism in rear region of bumper
DE10159864A1 (en) * 2001-12-06 2003-06-26 Benteler Automobiltechnik Gmbh Bonnet arrangement for motor vehicles has sensor-activated lifting device to move bonnet into raised collision protection to protect pedestrians
US20040074688A1 (en) * 2002-08-30 2004-04-22 Masakazu Hashimoto Pedestrian protection airbag system
WO2005009806A1 (en) * 2003-07-18 2005-02-03 Robert Bosch Gmbh Device for pedestrian protection
JP2007276503A (en) * 2006-04-03 2007-10-25 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Front structure of vehicle body
DE102007024783A1 (en) * 2007-05-26 2008-11-27 Aksys Gmbh Front opening bonnet i.e. engine bonnet, front end component i.e. front end support, and support component i.e. body component, arrangement for e.g. passenger car, has impact damper encompassing front edge in direction of side edges
US20090242308A1 (en) * 2008-03-27 2009-10-01 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Pedestrian protection system

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH07125606A (en) * 1993-10-29 1995-05-16 Toyota Motor Corp Hood air bag device
DE10037051A1 (en) * 2000-07-29 2002-02-28 Acts Gmbh & Co Kg Car with bonnet (hood) acting as safety device has bonnet pivoted at bumper height and closing mechanism in rear region of bumper
DE10159864A1 (en) * 2001-12-06 2003-06-26 Benteler Automobiltechnik Gmbh Bonnet arrangement for motor vehicles has sensor-activated lifting device to move bonnet into raised collision protection to protect pedestrians
US20040074688A1 (en) * 2002-08-30 2004-04-22 Masakazu Hashimoto Pedestrian protection airbag system
WO2005009806A1 (en) * 2003-07-18 2005-02-03 Robert Bosch Gmbh Device for pedestrian protection
JP2007276503A (en) * 2006-04-03 2007-10-25 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Front structure of vehicle body
DE102007024783A1 (en) * 2007-05-26 2008-11-27 Aksys Gmbh Front opening bonnet i.e. engine bonnet, front end component i.e. front end support, and support component i.e. body component, arrangement for e.g. passenger car, has impact damper encompassing front edge in direction of side edges
US20090242308A1 (en) * 2008-03-27 2009-10-01 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Pedestrian protection system

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2530618A (en) * 2014-08-15 2016-03-30 Ford Global Tech Llc Active hood front cover for pedestrian protection
US9580030B2 (en) 2015-04-08 2017-02-28 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Bumper assemblies including lower reinforcement members

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)