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DE-102023111318-B4 - Vehicle equipped with a restraint system

DE102023111318B4DE 102023111318 B4DE102023111318 B4DE 102023111318B4DE-102023111318-B4

Abstract

A vehicle with a restraint device (1) for securing a person (3) located on a lying surface (2) of the vehicle, wherein the restraint device (1) comprises at least one upper body airbag (5) installed in an upper body section (4) of the lying surface (2) and a flexible, planar cover element (6) which, in a deployment position (7) of the cover element (6), covers a portion of the body surface of the person (3), and the restraint device (1) comprises a pelvic airbag (9) arranged in a thigh and/or pelvic section (8) of the lying surface (2), over which a lying surface (10) of the lying surface (2) is partially projecting outwards in a deployment state (11) of the pelvic airbag (9), and furthermore, at least one upper body airbag (5) is provided in each of the two longitudinal side regions (12) of the lying surface (2), characterized in that at least one of the upper body airbags (5) has at least one main chamber (14) and have at least one secondary chamber (15), wherein the main chamber (14) and secondary chamber (15) are connected via at least one overflow opening (16) in a fluid-permeable manner and each secondary chamber (15) is arranged on a main chamber (14) such that it is shaped in the activation state (13) of the upper body airbag (5) facing the lying surface (10).

Inventors

  • Hakan Sundmark
  • Christer Lundgren
  • Johan Fritzen
  • Mattias Ennerdal
  • Thomas Wohllebe

Assignees

  • AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
  • VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20230502

Claims (8)

  1. A vehicle with a restraint device (1) for securing a person (3) located on a lying surface (2) of the vehicle, wherein the restraint device (1) comprises at least one upper body airbag (5) installed in an upper body section (4) of the lying surface (2) and a flexible, planar cover element (6) which, in a deployment position (7) of the cover element (6), covers a portion of the body surface of the person (3), and the restraint device (1) comprises a pelvic airbag (9) arranged in a thigh and/or pelvic section (8) of the lying surface (2), over which a lying surface (10) of the lying surface (2) is partially projecting outwards in a deployment state (11) of the pelvic airbag (9), and furthermore, at least one upper body airbag (5) is provided in each of the two longitudinal side regions (12) of the lying surface (2), characterized in that at least one of the upper body airbags (5) has at least one main chamber (14) and have at least one secondary chamber (15), wherein the main chamber (14) and secondary chamber (15) are connected via at least one overflow opening (16) in a fluid-permeable manner and each secondary chamber (15) is arranged on a main chamber (14) such that it is shaped in the activation state (13) of the upper body airbag (5) facing the lying surface (10).
  2. Vehicle after Claim 1 , characterized in that upper body airbags (5) provided in the two longitudinal side areas (12) of the lying device (2) extend, in their activation state (13), from the side areas (12), at least sectionally across the lying surface (10) of the upper body section (4), wherein the upper body airbags (5) are at least sectionally abutting each other.
  3. Vehicle after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that at least one of the upper body airbags (5) in the trigger state (13) is supported at least sectionally on at least one vehicle structure (18) which forms a support for the upper body airbag (5) and is located in the interior (17) of the vehicle and/or faces the interior (17) of the vehicle.
  4. Vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (6) is connected to the lying device (2) in at least one longitudinal side area (12) of the lying device (2) at at least two connection points (19.1, 19.2, 19.3) via at least one connecting element (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) per connection point (19.1, 19.2, 19.3), wherein one of the connecting elements (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) of the connection points (19.1, 19.2, 19.3) located in or adjacent to the thigh and/or pelvic section (8) is designed at least partially as a force limiter (21).
  5. Vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a zone (22) with variable stiffness and/or hardness is formed in the upper body section (4) within the lying device (2).
  6. Vehicle after Claim 5 , characterized in that the zone (22) of variable stiffness and/or hardness is formed via a stiffening device (23) and/or a material with variable stiffness and/or hardness.
  7. Vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reclining device (2) is movably arranged on a base frame (24) of the vehicle, wherein the reclining device (2) and the base frame (24) are also coupled to each other via at least one energy absorption element (25).
  8. Vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a footrest (26) which can be moved relative to the lying device (2) is arranged at the end of the lying device (2), wherein the lying device (2) and footrest (26) are also coupled to each other via at least one energy absorption element (27).

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle with a restraint device for securing a person lying on a reclining platform of the vehicle, wherein the restraint device comprises at least one upper body airbag located in an upper body section of the reclining platform and a flexible, planar cover element which, in a deployment position of the cover element, covers part of the person's body surface. The restraint device includes a pelvic airbag arranged in a thigh and/or pelvic section of the reclining platform, over which a lying surface of the reclining platform is partially projecting outwards in a deployment state of the pelvic airbag. Traditionally, various active and passive safety systems in motor vehicles ensure the safety of the vehicle's occupants to the greatest extent possible. These safety systems include, for example, seat belts, which may be equipped with active pretensioners, and airbags, which protect occupants from the front and, if necessary, from the sides. While these safety systems have generally proven effective, they are typically designed for occupants in a seated position. However, the pursuit of ever-increasing occupant comfort, and especially the development of autonomous vehicles, necessitates the development of adapted safety systems. Especially in autonomous vehicles, which at least optionally drive themselves, each occupant can spend the journey in any way they choose, e.g., reading, using visual media, or even resting or sleeping. Therefore, for increased comfort, it makes sense for occupants to be able to travel in a reclining position, in which they can, for example, sleep comfortably. While the safety systems described above are effective for an upright seat, they are ineffective or only partially effective for occupants in a reclining position. This is particularly true for extendable seat belts, which can only be used within a specific angle range relative to their attachment point on the side of the vehicle. This makes it nearly impossible to achieve effective restraint for an occupant in a reclining position. However, solutions to this problem are already known from the state of the art. This is how it goes from the WO 2006 / 103 069 A1 This document describes a blanket designed for use in an aircraft, featuring an integrated restraint function. The blanket includes at least one fastening element that secures it to a seat. This restraint function serves to restrain a passenger covered by the blanket, particularly one sleeping in a lying position, by distributing force over a surface area during sudden turbulence or abrupt flight maneuvers. The blanket is connected, in particular at the shoulder and foot ends, to a webbing strap, the ends of which can be connected via a locking tongue to a seat-side retractor with a locking function. The retractor includes, for example, a centrifugal clutch that prevents the strap from unwinding in the event of an unexpected flight maneuver, thus safely restraining the passenger. Similarly, the US 5 727 814 A A safety blanket for restraining an occupant who is asleep and lying down on the rear seat of a motor vehicle. The safety blanket is anchored to the vehicle body using methods familiar from conventional restraint systems, such as straps with belt tongues. In addition to such solutions, which essentially only comprise a safety blanket, combinations with other safety systems are also known from the state of the art. In this respect, for example, the DE 10 2019 115 254 A1 to remove an inflatable safety blanket, which also serves to protect a vehicle occupant, including those in a lying position. This safety blanket has an airbag positioned between a first layer and a second layer connected to the first. The airbag also has several independently inflatable chambers, which are thus fluid-tight. These chambers cover different areas of the occupant, such as the legs, pelvis, and upper body, and maintain different pressures when inflated. Furthermore, the inflatable safety blanket with its chambers can be custom-made for the occupant based on biometric data. This biometric data can include, among other things, the occupant's weight, height, torso height, and/or leg length. This biometric data can be provided when purchasing the vehicle, allowing the safety blanket to be individually tailored to the occupant. Other possible methods for collecting biometric data include... Using a camera sensor and subsequently analyzing the images to obtain the necessary information. Furthermore, the safety blanket can include a main section and a head protection section to protect the occupant's head. In this case, the head protection section, when deflated, is concealed within the upper section of the first and second blanket layers, facing the occupant's head. It only extends over the occupant's head when the airbag inflates. The head protection section can be formed either by a head protection chamber of the airbag that inflates independently of the rest of the airb