JPH04262943A - Vehicular safety device and operation thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a safety device for vehicle capable of reducing the latent cause of an electric or chemical danger and also removing it without danger. CONSTITUTION: An electronic igniter 3 and an igniting mixture 4 are integrated into an unseparable structural unit by use of a sensor device 2 formed as an electronic structural part, and the sensor unit and a generator unit have means for transmitting the energy necessary for ignition to a gas generator 5 when two structural units get close to each other by acceleration.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle safety device in the form of a backup system for fellow passengers.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of gas generators to inflate protective devices such as airbags or to tension safety belts has long been known.

[0003] Depending on the usage example, accidents (collisions) can be
It is necessary to activate the ignition device in order to detect this range and ignite the gas generator, i.e. to direct the gas to the support or tension device.

It is also known that this operation occurs only when deceleration or acceleration is detected by a moving spring/heavy device. In this case, mechanical sensors can be compactly coupled to the gas generator (US Pat. No. 4 167 276, US Pat. No. 4 711).
466, U.S. Pat. No. 4 552 380, German Patent No. 35 18 502)
.

However, in reality, contrary to the above-mentioned prior art, safety devices equipped with electronic sensors have been followed. If the electronic sensor is part of the actuation circuit, thresholds can preferably be set to establish fine-grained criteria for identifying and evaluating crashes. However, in the case of electronic circuits,
In order to eliminate electromagnetic disturbances in the vehicle during operation, there are special safety sensors in most electronic circuits provided for airbags or similar safety systems.

Furthermore, known safety devices include a propellant-filled gas generator with which an ignition device is structurally integrated.

In practice, when preparing a gas generator integrated into a safety system, potential sources of danger arise of two types. a) Electrical, which requires periodic testing of all connecting conductors.

b) Chemical, the risk of leakage can extend over several years if the period of preparation is long.

[0009] The igniter and gas generator with propellant are
In the case of the known device, since it is formed as an integral unit, it is very difficult to remove the unit that has adhered to it over the years of non-use.

0010

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a safety device which reduces potential causes of electrical or chemical hazards and at the same time allows for their removal without danger.

[0011]

[Means for solving the problem] The above-mentioned problem is solved according to the invention in the case of a safety device of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the electronic igniter and the ignition mixture are separated by means of a sensor device formed as an electronic component. The sensor unit and the generator unit are integrated into a structural unit that cannot be ignited by possessing means for transmitting the energy necessary for ignition to the gas generator when the two structural units are brought into close proximity due to acceleration. It has been resolved.

Further advantageous developments according to the invention are disclosed in the corresponding dependent claims.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be explained in more detail below based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, inside the housing 1 there is a new structural unit of a sensor 2, an electric ignition device 3 and an ignition mixture 4. In this case, these sensors include, of course, not only acceleration or deceleration detectors, but also sensor systems, such as those disclosed in German Patent No. 26 12 215, for example. Such a sensor system has electrical circuits collectively held on a substrate, and forms a base body within the case 1.

The ignition is an electric igniter, in the simplest case a glow wire, but other means are also possible. For example, it may be a spark device (squib), an ignition spark section or other known ignition devices.

The ignition mixture 4 is composed of known mixtures, but is not limited thereto. Individual pyrotechnic agents in any form (granules, spheres, tablets, rings, etc.) can also be hermetically sealed in the spaces provided for this purpose. The important point is that the ignition mixture can be successfully ignited by an electric igniter. Any suitable drug can be used for this purpose. Furthermore, it is important that when igniting the ignition mixture, the housing, for example made of aluminum, ruptures at least at the target crack, which crack can be introduced close to or accessible to the propellant of the gas generator. The selected agent of the ignition mixture is in any case one that is very non-ignitable, like the propellant chosen for the gas generator, and is a known fixed propellant, usually in tablet form. A known fixed propellant is Automobile
chnischen Zeit-schrift, 8
4, 1982, Volume 2, Nos. 77 and 78
Page and the same magazine, 1977, Volume 11, No.
It is described on page 314.

From FIG. 2, a gas generator 5 containing a solid propellant
The composite structure of the structural unit 1' with . Between the structural unit 1' and the gas generator 5 there is a spring-loaded system 1'' attached to this structural unit, for example mounted on it. This system is mounted on the front projection of the housing of the structural unit 1'. On the other hand, when placed and fixed thereon, the projection n is formed so as to fit into the notch m in the housing of the gas generator 5. In this case, the tip n of the projection n
is equipped with, for example, a barbed pin. This pin is
If the spring mass system is subjected to the above-mentioned acceleration or deceleration and moves away from the structural unit and into the housing of the gas generator 5 (here axially), it passes through the central thinned wall of the recess m. The spring-heavy system 1'' is used here as a safety device of a purely mechanical type, omitting special safety sensors as would otherwise be common in electronic circuits. After ignition of the propellant,
In particular, solid propellants in the form of tablets are ignited. The gas is then generated in a preferred manner and introduced for a specific purpose in a preferred manner.

One embodiment of the invention can be understood from FIG. In this embodiment, the structural unit 1 is connected to a gas generator with or without a spring-heavy system. The reason for this is that the protrusion n has the same dimensions in both the spring-heavy system and the structural unit 1, so that it also matches the same notch m. From FIG. 3 one can see an energy source, in particular a battery 7, for example a lithium battery, a nickel-cadmium battery or a dry cell battery (rechargeable batteries are also advantageous). For example, the magazine Elektronik Volume 9,
April 27, 1990, page 150, the nickel-cadmium accumulator described therein can only be charged by solar cells. Although the solar cells are spatially limited, they can be electrically or optically connected to the structural unit 1. Other energy stores can be used, such as capacitors. This is known per se and is known from German Patent No. 35 18
It is described in the specification of No. 502.

What is new here is an optical waveguide 8 which, due to its electromagnetic properties, can be used to guide the actuation pulse, as will be explained below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, a light emitting diode or simple light source 14 is provided. This light source directs the light via one or more optical waveguides (bundles) 9 to a photoelectric receiver, in particular a solar cell arrangement 10 . On the device side, the solar cell device is connected to a voltage converter, in particular a direct current converter and/or an energy storage. For the latter, capacitor 1
2 or other known energy sources may also be used. The capacitor 12 is connected in parallel to an electric ignition device, in particular a pilot igniter 3, to which a photothyristor or similar electronic switching element 13 is in series. This switching element is actuated by an optical waveguide 8, which is connected to a specific pulsed light source, in particular a laser (not shown).
The actuation pulse is obtained as a very short flash of light. This trigger flash is modulated into the same light source 14 light stream transmitted by one or more optical waveguides 9, as shown in FIG. This flash is very brief and forms a unique peak. This peak is used to trigger or actuate a photothyristor 13 which sends a light stream to the pilot igniter, in which case the capacitor 12 previously charged from the energy source is rapidly discharged. The trigger allows the instant of actuation to be determined precisely in time. However, the trigger pulse only occurs after the sensor system or sensor circuit senses a certain type of collision or (when a threshold value is exceeded) a certain shock. In this case, in the sensor system, as shown in FIG. 5, a switch 18 connected to an acceleration sensor or a deceleration sensor passes light from a light source 14 through a dynamic memory (DRAM) together with a movable heavy object. It is arranged so that it can be introduced via an optical waveguide 9 which is made to move freely in the air. In that case, the shadow of the switch and/or the movable heavy object is imaged onto the DRAM, and this
It is evaluated by a microprocessor 16 which is directly connected to the RAM.

FIG. 6 shows passenger protection according to the present invention;
For example, an example of a safety device built into an automobile's instrument panel is shown to protect a passenger in a passenger seat. In this case, the device is such that a structural unit 1 with two projections holds the ignition agent and the electric ignition device and connects one gas generator 5 symmetrically on each side. Thus, a large volume is required for the gas and a provision for inflating a passenger air bag, for example.

In FIG. 7, like a car driver,
An embodiment of a safety device integrated into the steering wheel is shown to protect the passenger. In this case, the structural unit 1 is arranged in the center of the handle, and the gas generator is likewise arranged on the axis of the handle support or, as is known per se, in a plane perpendicular to the support. Even in this case, a large number of gas generators 5 can be attached to the structural unit 1, as in the example shown in FIG. That is, a working connection as described at the outset can be formed and attached. Furthermore, instead of just one sensor 2, multiple sensors can be arranged on the circuit board or connected to this board. The same applies to the energy source 7 or to the automatic device 7' connected to this energy source. Such automatic devices are known per se.

From FIG. 8 it can be seen that the essential components of the sensor system 2 include, in particular, a power supply part 7, a power supply part 12, for example a capacitor, an activation switch 18 of the pulsed laser and/or as shown in FIG. A circuit arrangement is shown which includes a switching element 13 of a pulsed laser source superimposed on the direct current of the light source 14. FIG.

FIG. 8 further shows that the detected acceleration or deceleration, which is known per se as mentioned at the outset, can be determined by means of an electronic evaluation or analysis circuit in the other sensors 2' or 19.
, 20 or 21 are included. In this case, the seat contact is marked with the reference numeral 21, and this contact operates depending on whether a person as a passenger is in the seat of the vehicle or not. The sensor 20 may be used, for example, to ascertain the spacing of the head relative to the head and/or neck protection of the seat, or how far and/or from it the head is, in particular whether the chest is fastened with a safety belt. or far away. The latter is detected by a belt sensor 20, and the first by a distance or distance sensor, in particular an optical distance sensor, which is placed opposite the passenger at the top or bottom of the windshield and is detected by a capacitive, photoelectric or ultrasonic method. Or detected by radar or microwave. These distance sensors are known per se (see German Patent No. 38 02 159).

In an embodiment of the invention, all sensors are AND-coupled and activation of the protection system takes place only if the protection action dominates the probability of damage.

[0026]

As described above, the safety device according to the present invention is provided with a new structural unit, and the operational connection is performed by a spring/heavy system. Moreover, this operational linkage is realized only in case of certain external influences, and if it jumps out in the right direction. Therefore, the safety sensor can be omitted.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a novel structural unit according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a structural unit with a spring-heavy system integrated into a gas generator;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a structural unit with a power supply structure and a trigger member;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration with respect to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a developed view showing a detailed example of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates an application for protecting passengers in a vehicle, such as a passenger in a passenger seat.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a device for protecting drivers of motor vehicles in particular;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an electronic circuit with multiple sensors.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing an optical trigger electromagnetically protected with pulsed laser light.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Housing 1′ Structural unit 1″ Spring/heavy load system 2 Sensor 3. Electric igniter 4. Ignition mixture 5 Gas generator 7 Battery 8,9 Optical waveguide 10　　　　Solar cell device 12 Capacitor 13 Switching element 14 Light source 16 Microprocessor 17 Heavy objects 20 Belt sensor

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. The sensor device forms a closed, inseparable structural unit, at least a part of which is arranged at a distance from the gas generator, which is formed as another closed structural unit. with at least one gas generator cooperating with the gas generator when acceleration is applied, in particular a device for tightening the gas cushion unit and/or the safety belt, and an ignition device attached to this device and in certain cases Only in support systems for passengers of vehicles with a sensor device for actuating this ignition device, the electronic igniter and the ignition mixture are integrated into an inseparable structural unit with the sensor device formed as an electronic structural component. The support system is characterized in that the sensor unit and the generator unit have means for transmitting the energy necessary for ignition to the gas generator when the two structural units approach each other due to acceleration. 2. Safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that the structural unit is associated with a spring-heavy system (for operative connection). 3. The structural unit comprises a power supply structural circuit, which circuit incorporates a trigger element for preparing the necessary power for the electric igniter and for determining the activation point. Safety devices listed in. 4. Claim characterized in that the trigger circuit comprises an electronic switching element, such as a photothyristor, which can be actuated by an optical waveguide, and this element is arranged in series with an electric igniter. Safety device as described in Section 3. 5. Safety device according to claim 4, characterized in that the trigger pulse is generated by a pulsed laser and introduced into the electronic switching element by an optical waveguide. 6. Claim 6, characterized in that the power supply element has a capacitor connected in parallel to the electric igniter, the capacitor being able to be discharged in a controlled manner for ignition and precharged by a battery, in particular a solar cell device. The safety device according to any one of items 3 to 5. [Claim 7] Solar cell device (module, array)
7. The safety device according to claim 6, wherein light from a specific light source (LED, glow lamp) can be introduced through an optical waveguide. 8. The safety device according to claim 4, wherein an electronic switching element such as a photothyristor is connected to the light source according to claim 7 via an optical waveguide. 9. The heavy object is movably held so as to change its position in cooperation with a sensor or switch that changes its position under the influence of constant acceleration or deceleration for switching purposes. The safety device according to any one of claims 4, 7, and 8.