WO1995031357A1

WO1995031357A1 - A safety arrangement provided in a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO1995031357A1
Application number: PCT/SE1995/000523
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yngve Håland; Hans-Olof Folkesson; Dick Eriksson
Original assignee: Autoliv Development Ab
Priority date: 1994-05-13
Filing date: 1995-05-11
Publication date: 1995-11-23
Also published as: DE19581640T1; GB2289448B; AU2541995A; GB9409662D0; JPH10509108A; GB2289448A

Abstract

A door (1) of a motor vehicle has a deformable outer skin (3), an intermediate panel (4) which is relatively strong and a relatively weak inner trim (5). A force transmitting system comprising an element (7) is provided in the door with a part (9) thereof passing slidably through an aperture (13) formed in the intermediate panel (4). The force transmitting element (7) serves to transmit an impact on the outer skin (3) of the door to a sensor (16) mounted on a seat (2) within the vehicle to activate a safety device such as an air-bag.

Description

A safety arrangement provided in a motor vehicle.

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to safety arrangement and more particularly relates to a safety arrangement incorporated in a motor vehicle. Especially, the present invention relates to a safety arrangement adapted to protect an occupant of a vehicle in the event that a side impact should arise.

Attention has been given to the provision of a sensor arrangement adapted to sense a side impact and to initiate, in response to such a side impact, inflation of an air-bag to protect an occupant of the vehicle.

Initially, proposals were made to incorporate a sensor within the door of the motor vehicle, but arrangements of this type necessitated having a rigid structure within the door of the vehicle to carry the sensor. Also, the sensor had to be connected, in some way, to the air-bag and, in many cases, the air-bag was fixed to part of the vehicle or to part of the seat within the vehicle, making a direct connection difficult.

GB-A-2266075 discloses a sensor arrangement for sensing a side impact in which the sensor, is mounted on the vehicle chassis adjacent the lower part of a door. The lower part of the door is reinforced. In the event that a side impact arises, when the lower part of the door is deformed, the sensor is activated. Thus the sensor is only activated after substantial deformation of the door, and in particular, after deformation of a reinforced part of the door.

EP-A-0565501 also relates to an arrangement in which a sensor is provided adapted to respond to a side impact. In one described embodiment a sensor adapted to initiate inflation of an air-bag is mounted on the side of a frame carrying the seat, so that the sensor is located adjacent the door of the motor vehicle. In one embodiment a cellular plastic block is provided which extends from the outer skin of the door to a position adjacent the sensor. The block is held in position by a flanged end cap, the flanges being secured to an intermediate panel, located between the outer skin of the door and the inner trim of the door. In the event of a side impact pressure is applied to the outer skin of the door and is immediately transferred to the block tending to move the block inwards towards the sensor. However, because the flanged end cap is secured to the intermediate panel, the intermediate panel must deform before the block can move so that the sensor is activated.

The intermediate panel is relatively strong, whereas the outer skin of the door and the inner trim, at least in the lower region of the door are readily deformable. Because the intermediate panel is strong it does not deform readily.

In a second arrangement described in EP-A- 0565501, an inner plate or sheet structure is provided comprising longitudinal and lateral plates within the interior of the door. The plates bridge the space between a strengthening member, which is connected directly to the outer skin of the door, and a special panel provided on the inside of the door. The panel provided on the inside of the door is provided with an inwardly directed structure which extends as far as the intermediate panel. The inner plate or sheet structure also extends as far as the intermediate panel. The arrangement is such that if the outer skin of the door is deformed, thus moving the strengthening member attached to the outer skin of the door, that movement is transmitted by the plate or sheet structure to the intermediate panel, which then deforms. The deformation of the intermediate panel is transferred to the special panel mounted on the inside of the door which then activates the sensor. Thus, again, in this embodiment the relatively strong intermediate panel must deform before the sensor is activated.

It is to be appreciated that if the relatively strong intermediate panel must deform before the sensor is activated, there may be a delay in activating the sensor, and in a side impact situation, any delay may prove to be fatal.

In the event that a side impact arises, it is important that any protective air-bag should be inflated just as swiftly as possible, since there is no effective "crumple zone" that can deform before there is a severe risk of injury to an occupant of the vehicle. It is thus desired to provide an arrangement that can respond very quickly to a side impact.

According to this invention there is provided a safety arrangement provided in a motor vehicle, the vehicle being provided with a door having an outer skin which is deformable, at least in its lower region, and having a relatively strong intermediate panel, the skin and the panel forming a hollow space between them; a sensor, adapted to activate a safety device, located between the intermediate panel and the centre of the vehicle and being supported at least indirectly by the chassis of the vehicle; and a force transmitting system located to extend substantially between the outer skin of the door and the sensor when the door is in the closed position, to transmit a force to the sensor when the outer skin of the door is deformed, the force transmitting system comprising at least one element which passes slidably through an aperture formed in the intermediate panel.

Conveniently the force transmitting system comprises a force transmitting element having an outer contact plate located adjacent the outer skin having a predetermined vertical extent and a predetermined axial extent, and an inner contact plate located adjacent the sensor having a vertical extent which is less than the vertical extent of the outer contact plate and an axial extent which is at least as great as the axial extent of the outer plate.

Advantageously the outer plate and the inner plate are inter-connected by a connecting arm and the door is provided with a window which can be lowered to a position in which a window is substantially accommodated in the space between the outer skin and the intermediate panel, the connecting arm being located at a position beneath the lower edge of the window when the window is in the lowered position.

Preferably the sensor is mounted on the frame of a seat. Conveniently the seat is movable axially of the vehicle.

Preferably the sensor is located at a position below the cushion of the seat.

Conveniently the inner contact plate and the connecting arm are located at a position below the level of the cushion of the seat.

Advantageously the force transmitting element is guided in order to prevent tilting caused by upward movement of the outer contact plate.

Preferably in order to prevent tilting caused by upward movement of the outer contact plate, the inner contact plate and the trim are so configured that should such tilting occur, the inner contact plate will contact the inner trim, and the connecting arm is configured to engage the edge of the aperture formed in the intermediate panel.

Advantageously the sensor comprises a projection extending towards the door, there being a further projection, spaced from the sensor, also extended towards the door, the two projections being within the axial extent of the inner contact plate, regardless of the position of the seat.

In one embodiment the force transmitting system comprises at least one element of foamed plastic material.

Preferably the force transmitting system comprises an element located with one surface immediately adjacent the inner surface of the deformable outer skin of the door, and another surface spaced by a predetermined distance from said at least one element to define a gap therebetween, the gap being dimensioned to receive a window present in the door when the window is lowered.

Conveniently the gap is approximately 15 mm in width.

Advantageously the sensor is mounted on the frame of a seat which is movable axially of the vehicle, and the force transmitting system incorporates an element that will be aligned with and engageable with the sensor, regardless of the position of the seat.

Preferably the door is provided additionally with an inner trim which forms part of the force transmitting system and which is located on the interior of the intermediate panel, the space between the trim and the intermediate panel containing foamed plastic material forming part of the force transmitting system.

Advantageously the said space also contains, in an upper region, an element of foamed plastic material that is softer than the said foamed plastic material forming part of the force transmitting system.

Conveniently the door is provided additionally with an inner trim which forms part of the force transmitting system and which is located on the interim of the intermediate panel. Advantageously the part of the force transmitting system that is initially closest to the sensor is spaced from the sensor by a distance of approximately 15 mm.

Preferably the sensor is provided in the rear¬ most of the two projections.

Conveniently the force transmitting system is adapted to deform or collapse when subjected to a force in excess of a predetermined value, that value being in the range of 1 to 5kN, and preferably being about 3kN.

Advantageously the said predetermined force is about 3kN.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view, partly diagrammatic, through the side door of a vehicle and an associated seat provided with a safety arrangement in accordance with the invention, the position of the inner trim of the door being shown in solid lines in an initial position and in dotted lines in a final position, the view being taken on line I-I of Figure 2,

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line II-II of Figure 1, again showing the door and part of the seat, and FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to Figure 1 but illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a motor vehicle has a door 1 and a seat 2.

The door has an outer deformable skin 3. In this embodiment the skin is formed of sheet metal, but in alternative embodiments the skin may be formed of any appropriate material such as plastic, a composite material, or a laminate. The door further comprises an intermediate panel 4, spaced from the outer skin. The intermediate panel is the panel that provides the door with its inherent strength. The intermediate panel may be made of metal, or may be made of a plastic or composite material. However, the intermediate panel is intended to be relatively strong. The door is also provided with an inner panel or trim 5 which, most commonly, is made of a plastic material, but which may be made of metal or a laminate.

The door is provided with a window 6 formed of an appropriate glass material. The window may be lowered from the closed position illustrated in solid lines in Figure 1 to the open position, when the window occupies the position 6A illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 1. Effectively, the window is withdrawn downwardly into the hollow space between the outer skin 3 and the intermediate panel 4.

A force transmitting system is provided to transmit a force to a sensor located within the motor vehicle when the outer skin of the door is deformed in an accident. The force transmitting system comprises an element 7 which is formed of metal or a strong plastic or composite material. The element 7 has an outer contact plate 8 which presents an outer surface adapted to lie adjacent the interior of the deformable outer skin 3. The outer contact plate 8 has an axial extent (as can be seen in Figure 2) and a vertical extent (as can be seen in Figure 1) . The outer contact plate 8 is connected by a substantially horizontally connecting arm 9, which has (as can be seen from Figure 2) an axial dimension which is less than the axial extent of the outer contact plate 8, to an inner contact plate 10 which is located adjacent the interior of the inner trim 5. The inner contact plate 10 is substantially vertical, but has a lower inwardly turned lip 11 which is located immediately adjacent an inwardly turned lower portion 12 of the trim 5. The trim 5 forms part of the complete force transmitting system.

The inner contact plate 10 has, as can be seen from Figure 2, an axial extent which is at least as great as (and in this embodiment, greater than) the axial extent of the outer contact plate 8. The inner contact plate 10 has a lesser vertical extent than the vertical extent of the outer contact plate 8 as can be seen from Figure 1. The trim 5 is only secured to the intermediate panel 4 in the upper region of the trim 5, meaning that the lower part of the trim 5 can readily be deformed from its initial position, as shown in solid lines, to a further position as shown in dotted lines 5A.

It is to be observed that the connecting arm 9 passes through an elongate slot 13 formed in the intermediate panel 4. Also, it is to be noted that the connecting arm 9 is located below the lower-most edge of the window 6 even when in the fully open position 6A. The inner contact plate 10, provided at the end of the connecting arm 9, is also at a low position.

The seat 2 which is located adjacent the trim 5 of the door when the door is closed, as can be seen from Figure 2, is movable axially, by a conventional adjustment, as indicated by the arrow 14, between two terminal positions illustrated by the dotted lines 2A, 2B. The seat is thus illustrated in an intermediate position.

Two projections 15,16 are located on the side of the seat extending towards the trim 5 of the door. In this embodiment, one of the projections comprises a sensor adapted to institute inflation of an air-bag, or to activate another safety device, when subjected to pressure. In the embodiment particularly described is the rear-most projection 16, which is located towards the rear of the motor vehicle, that houses the sensor. The other projection 15 just provides an abutment. As will be described, the inner contact plate 10 is intended to apply, through the trim 5, a force to the projections 15,16. The axial extent of the inner contact plate 10 is such that, in any adjusted position of the seat, the inner contact plate 10 is adjacent both of the projections 15 and 16. Thus, the projections 15,16 are always within the axial extent of the inner contact plate 10.

It is to be observed, from Figure 1 that the projections 15,16 are mounted on the lower part 17 of the seat 2, this part being located beneath the cushion 18 provided on the seat. The inner contact plate 10 is also located at the same level. The sensor is itself connected to a part of the seat which is relatively rigidly mounted in position. Thus the sensor may be considered to be connected indirectly to the chassis of the vehicle.

The connecting arm 9 is so dimensioned that it will collapse or deform if compressed by a force in excess of a predetermined value. Preferably this value is in the range of 1 to 5kN, but is preferably about 3kN.

If a vehicle in which the above-described safety arrangement is provided is involved in a side impact, when the outer skin 3 of the door begins to deform, force will be applied to the outer contact plate 8, causing the connecting arm 9 to slide through the aperture 13 provided in the intermediate panel 4. The inner contact plate 10 will thus contact the trim 5, moving the trim to the position 5A, thus contacting the sensor 16 and initiating inflation of the air-bag.

The design of the force transmitting element 7 and the associated components is such that undesired tilting of the force transmitting elements is prevented. If there is any tendency for the outer contact plate to move upwardly, this will bring the inwardly turned lip 11 provided at the lower edge of the inner contact plate 10 into contact with the inwardly turned portion 12 provided at the lower edge of the trim 5. This will prevent further upward movement of the outer contact plate 8. Also, the lower part of the contact arm will come into contact with the lower edge of the aperture 13.

Should the impact be applied to the forward end of the outer contact plate 8, thus forcing the forward end of the inner contact plate 10 effectively into contact (through the intermediary of the trim 5) with the projection 15, the projection 15 will act as an abutment so that any further force applied to the outer contact plate 8 will cause the rearward end of the inner contact plate 10 to move inwardly to contact (through the intermediary of the inner trim 5) with the sensor 16.

If the impact be such that the inner contact plate 10 moves to contact the sensor 16 and then starts to pivot about a vertical axis passing through the sensor 16, the inner contact plate 10 will then contact the abutment 15 so that any further force will be transmitted to both the abutment 15 and the sensor 16, thus activating the sensor.

Because the inner contact plate 10 is located at a lower level, below the level of the seat cushion 18, even if the force transmitting element 7 moves a substantial distance into the motor vehicle, there is only a minimal risk that it will impact with and injure a person sitting on the seat.

The strength of the connecting arm 9 is such that a sufficient force can be applied to the sensor 16, but is also such that the arm 9 will collapse before the force transmitting element 7 will transmit a sufficient force to the frame of the seat 2 which might undesirably damage the frame of the seat.

It is to be noted that the initial distance between the inner surface of the trim and the sensor is approximately 15 mm. Thus the trim will move by a distance of approximately 15 mm, in an accident situation, before the trim contacts the sensor. Referring now to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, a modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated. It will be apparent that Figure 3 is very similar to Figure 1 and the same reference numerals apply to the same parts which not be re-described.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the force transmitting system comprising a first element 20 formed of a relatively stiff foamed plastic material. The element 20 defines a horizontally extending portion 21, which passes, in a slidable manner, through the aperture 13 formed in the intermediate panel 4. It is preferred that the portion 21 of the element 20 extends by a distance of more than 20 mm from the intermediate panel formed towards the outer skin 3 of the door.

The element 20 additionally comprises an enlarged head 22 located in the space between the intermediate panel 4 and the trim 5. The enlarged head 22 is so designed that at least part of the head is aligned with the sensor 16 which is mounted on the frame 17 of the seat 2.

The upper part of the space between the intermediate panel 4 and the trim 5 contains a further element 23 of foamed plastics material, which is rather softer than the element 20, thus providing padding for the hip region of an occupant of the motor vehicle.

The force transmitting system incorporates a further element 24 of relatively rigid or stiff foamed plastics material which is secured to the inner surface of the deformable outer skin of the door 3. The element 24 is so designed that there is a space or gap 25 between the element 24 and the element 20. The gap has a width of approximately 15 mm and is located to accommodate part of the window 6 when it is in the lowered position as shown at 6A.

In the event that an accident should arise, in which the lower part of the outer skin 3 of the door 1 is deformed inwardly, the element 24 will move inwardly across the gap 25 applying a force to the element 20. The element 20 will thus move towards the right, as shown in Figure 3, moving the trim to the position 5A as shown in dotted lines, thus applying a force to the sensor 16. As in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the trim, which forms part of the force transmitting system, is initially located a distance of approximately 15 mm from the sensor 16, meaning that the trim must move through this distance before a force is applied to the sensor.

The foam plastic element 20 and/or the foam plastic element 24 are fabricated from a material which is adapted to collapse or deform if compressed by a force in excess of a predetermined value. Preferably this value is in the range of 1 to 5 kN, but is preferably about 3 kN.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to two embodiments, further modifications may be effected without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following Claims.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A safety arrangement provided in a motor vehicle, the vehicle being provided with a door having an outer skin which is deformable, at least in its lower region, and having a relatively strong intermediate panel, the skin and the panel forming a hollow space between them; a sensor, adapted to activate a safety device, located between the intermediate panel and the centre of the vehicle and being supported at least indirectly by the chassis of the vehicle; and a force transmitting system located to extend substantially between the outer skin of the door and the sensor when the door is in the closed position, to transmit a force to the sensor when the outer skin of the door is deformed, the force transmitting system comprising at least one element which passes slidably through an aperture formed in the intermediate panel.

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein the force transmitting system comprises a force transmitting element having an outer contact plate located adjacent the outer skin having a predetermined vertical extent and a predetermined axial extent, and an inner contact plate located adjacent the sensor having a vertical extent which is less than the vertical extent of the outer contact plate and an axial extent which is at least as great as the axial extent of the outer plate.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 2 wherein the outer plate and the inner plate are inter-connected by a connecting arm and wherein the door is provided with a window which can be lowered to a position in which a window is substantially accommodated in the space between the outer skin and the intermediate panel, the connecting arm being located at a position beneath the lower edge of the window when the window is in the lowered position.

4. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the sensor is mounted on the frame of a seat.

5. An arrangement according to Claim 4 wherein the seat is movable axially of the vehicle.

6. An arrangement according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein the sensor is located at a position below the cushion of the seat.

7. An arrangement according to Claim 6 wherein the inner contact plate and the connecting arm are located at a position below the level of the cushion of the seat.

8. A safety arrangement according to any one of Claims 2 to 7 wherein the force transmitting element is guided in order to prevent tilting caused by upward movement of the outer contact plate.

9. An arrangement according to Claim 8 wherein, in order to prevent tilting caused by upward movement of the outer contact plate, the inner contact plate and the trim are so configured that should such tilting occur, the inner contact plate will contact the inner trim, and the connecting arm is configured to engage the edge of the aperture formed in the intermediate panel.

10. A safety arrangement according to Claim 2 and Claim 5, or any Claim dependent thereon wherein the sensor comprises a projection extending towards the door, there being a further projection, spaced from the sensor, also extended towards the door, the two projections being within the axial extent of the inner contact plate, regardless of the position of the seat.

11. An arrangement according to Claim 10 wherein the sensor is provided in the rear-most of the two projections.

12. An arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein the force transmitting system comprises at least one element of foamed plastic material.

13. An arrangement according to Claim 1 or Claim 12 wherein the force transmitting system comprises an element located with one surface immediately adjacent the inner surface of the deformable outer skin of the door, and another surface spaced by a predetermined distance from said at least one element to define a gap therebetween, the gap being dimensioned to receive a window present in the door when the window is lowered.

14. An arrangement according to Claim 13 wherein said gap is approximately 15 mm in width.

15. An arrangement according to Claim 12, 13 or 14 wherein the sensor is mounted on the frame of a seat which is movable axially of the vehicle, and the force transmitting system incorporates an element that will be aligned with and engageable with the sensor, regardless of the position of the seat.

16. An arrangement according to Claim 12 or any Claim dependent thereon wherein the door is provided additionally with an inner trim which forms part of the force transmitting system and which is located on the interior of the intermediate panel, the space between the trim and the intermediate panel containing foamed plastic material forming part of the force transmitting system.

17. An arrangement according to Claim 16 wherein the said space also contains, in an upper region, an element of foamed plastic material that is softer than the said foamed plastic material forming part of the force transmitting system.

18. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein the door is provided additionally with an inner trim which forms part of the force transmitting system on the interior of the intermediate panel.

19. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the part of the force transmitting system that is initially closest to the sensor is spaced from the sensor by a distance of approximately 15 mm.

20. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the force transmitting system is adapted to deform or collapse when subjected to a force in excess of a predetermined value, that value being in the range of 1 to 5kN.

21. An arrangement according to Claim 20 wherein the said predetermined force is about 3kN.