Safety device with an airbag configuration including multiple airbags for a motor vehicle

• US 20020020990A1
• Filed: 08/06/2001
• Published: 02/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Wohllebe, Thomas, Sinnhuber, Ruprecht
• Granted Patent: US 6,536,799 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/729
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2313 comprising sensitive compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23324 Inner walls crating separate compartments, e.g. communicating with vents
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23332 using independent bags, one within the other
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01508 detecting forces or pressure in bags or modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence

Abstract

A safety device for a motor vehicle includes an airbag configuration with a sensing airbag and a protective airbag. The sensing air bag is finger-shaped and has a small volume. A gas generator inflates the sensing airbag with a low power in the event of a vehicle impact. The inflated sensing airbag extends into an inflation zone of the protective airbag in order to sense any obstacle disposed therein. A touch-sensing device is connected to the front of the sensing airbag and provides a control signal when the sensing airbag encounters an obstacle. When the control device receives the control signal, the control device prevents or at least reduces the inflation of the protective airbag. When the control device does not receive the control signal, the protective airbag is inflated with full power.

Claims

1. A safety device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an airbag configuration including at least a sensing airbag and a protective airbag assigned to said sensing airbag, said sensing airbag and said protective airbag being configured as two separate airbags;

said sensing air bag being finger-shaped and having a first volume, said protective airbag having a second volume, said first volume being smaller than said second volume;

at least one gas generator configured to be activatable in a vehicle impact event and configured to inflate said sensing airbag substantially prior to said protective airbag and with a relatively lower power than said protective airbag;

said protective airbag being configured to be inflated into a given inflation zone for providing a support function;

said sensing airbag being configured to extend into the given inflation zone of said protective airbag and configured to sense an obstacle disposed in the given inflation zone of said protective airbag;

a touch-sensing device connected to said sensing airbag, said touch-sensing device providing a given control signal when said sensing airbag encounters the obstacle;

a control device connected to said touch-sensing device for receiving the given control signal from said touch-sensing device;

said control device, when being provided with the given control signal from said touch-sensing device, performing a control operation selected from the group consisting of preventing said at least one gas generator from inflating said protective airbag and enabling said at least one gas generator to perform a reduced-power inflation function for inflating said protective airbag; and

said control device, when the given control signal from said touch-sensing device is absent, enabling said at least one gas generator to perform a full-power inflation function for inflating said protective airbag.

2. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein said airbag configuration includes a further airbag having a substantially vertically upwardly extending deployment zone for forcing hands out of the deployment zone, and said further airbag deploys substantially prior to said sensing airbag.

3. The safety device according to claim 2, including:

an airbag outlet wall configuration having an airbag flap; and

said airbag flap being configured to be pushed into an open position, and, when in the open position, said airbag flap guiding at least one of said sensing airbag and said further airbag.

4. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein said sensing airbag is disposed such that said sensing air bag is inflatable from a steering wheel region and said protective airbag is a driver-protection airbag assigned to said sensing airbag.

5. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein said sensing airbag is disposed such that said sensing air bag is inflatable from a dashboard region and said protective airbag is a front passenger-protection airbag assigned to said sensing airbag.

6. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein:

said touch-sensing device includes a threshold device and a measuring device for providing a measurement value, said measuring device includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of a velocity measuring device for measuring an expansion of said sensing airbag, an acceleration measuring device for measuring an expansion of said sensing airbag and a force-measuring film; and

said threshold device is connected downstream of said measuring device, and said threshold device outputs the given control signal when the measurement value is below a set value selected from the group consisting of a velocity set value, an acceleration set value and a force set value.

7. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein:

said touch-sensing device includes switch contacts; and

said switch contacts have a relative position with respect to one another and are configured to change the relative position with respect to one another for one of opening and closing an electrical path and providing the given control signal when said sensing airbag encounters the obstacle.

8. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein said touch-sensing device includes a contact film configured to one of open and close an electrical path for providing the control signal when said sensing airbag encounters the obstacle.

9. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein:

said sensing airbag has a main deployment direction and a front region as seen in the main deployment direction; and

said touch-sensing device is disposed in said front region of said sensing airbag.

10. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least one gas generator is a multistage gas generator having a first stage and further stages; and

said control device controls said multistage gas generator for inflating said sensing airbag and said protective airbag such that the first stage of said multistage gas generator is ignited in order to inflate said sensing airbag, and such that, if said touch-sensing device provides the given control signal, a control operation selected from the group consisting of preventing an ignition of the further stages of said multistage gas generator and igniting at least one of the further stages for enabling said multistage gas generator to perform the reduced-power inflation function for inflating said protective airbag is performed.

11. The safety device according to claim 1, including an early crash sensor operatively connected to said control device for sensing a vehicle impact event that is relevant for activating said airbag configuration.

12. The safety device according to claim 1, including a pre-crash sensor operatively connected to said control device for sensing, prior to a vehicle impact event, data relevant for activating said airbag configuration.

13. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein said sensing airbag is configured to sense, as the obstacle, an out-of-position occupant.

14. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein said airbag configuration includes at least one of a further sensing airbag and a further protective airbag.

15. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein said control device controls said at least one gas generator based on the given control signal as a sensed positional parameter and based on further positional parameters provided to said control device.

16. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein said sensing air bag extends into the given inflation zone of said protective airbag by being at least one of movable and inflatable into the given inflation zone.

18. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein said sensing airbag chamber and said protective airbag chamber are formed of respective airbag fabric types that are different from one another.

19. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein said sensing airbag chamber and said protective airbag chamber are formed of respective airbag fabrics having different fabric stiffnesses.

20. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein said multi-chamber airbag configuration includes a further airbag chamber having a substantially vertically upwardly extending deployment zone for forcing hands out of the deployment zone, and said further airbag chamber deploys substantially prior to said sensing airbag chamber.

21. The safety device according to claim 20, including:

an airbag outlet wall configuration having an airbag flap; and

said airbag flap being configured to be pushed into an open position, and, when in the open position, said airbag flap guiding at least one of said sensing airbag chamber and said further airbag chamber.

22. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein said sensing airbag chamber is disposed such that said sensing air bag chamber is inflatable from a steering wheel region and said protective airbag chamber is a driver-protection airbag chamber assigned to said sensing airbag chamber.

23. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein said sensing airbag chamber is disposed such that said sensing air bag chamber is inflatable from a dashboard region and said protective airbag chamber is a front passenger-protection airbag chamber assigned to said sensing airbag chamber.

24. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein:

said touch-sensing device includes a threshold device and a measuring device for providing a measurement value, said measuring device includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of a velocity measuring device for measuring an expansion of said sensing airbag chamber, an acceleration measuring device for measuring an expansion of said sensing airbag chamber and a force-measuring film; and

said threshold device is connected downstream of said measuring device, and said threshold device outputs the given control signal when the measurement value is below a set value selected from the group consisting of a velocity set value, an acceleration set value and a force set value.

25. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein:

said touch-sensing device includes switch contacts; and

said switch contacts have a relative position with respect to one another and are configured to change the relative position with respect to one another for one of opening and closing an electrical path and providing the given control signal when said sensing airbag chamber encounters the obstacle.

26. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein said touch-sensing device includes a contact film configured to one of open and close an electrical path for providing the control signal when said sensing airbag chamber encounters the obstacle.

27. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein:

said sensing airbag chamber has a main deployment direction and a front region as seen in the main deployment direction; and

said touch-sensing device is disposed in said front region of said sensing airbag chamber.

28. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein:

said at least one gas generator is a multistage gas generator having a first stage and further stages; and

said control device controls said multistage gas generator for inflating said sensing airbag chamber and said protective airbag chamber such that the first stage of said multistage gas generator is ignited in order to inflate said sensing airbag chamber, and such that, if said touch-sensing device provides the given control signal, a control operation selected from the group consisting of preventing an ignition of the further stages of said multistage gas generator and igniting at least one of the further stages for enabling said multistage gas generator to perform the reduced-power inflation function for inflating said protective airbag chamber is performed.

29. The safety device according to claim 17, including an early crash sensor operatively connected to said control device for sensing a vehicle impact event that is relevant for activating said multi-chamber airbag configuration.

30. The safety device according to claim 17, including a pre-crash sensor operatively connected to said control device for sensing, prior to a vehicle impact event, data relevant for activating said multi-chamber airbag configuration.

31. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein said sensing airbag chamber is configured to sense, as the obstacle, an out-of-position occupant.

32. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein said multi-chamber airbag configuration includes at least one of a further sensing airbag chamber and a further protective airbag chamber.

33. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein said control device controls said at least one gas generator based on the given control signal as a sensed positional parameter and based on further positional parameters provided to said control device.

34. The safety device according to claim 17, wherein said sensing air bag chamber extends into the given inflation zone of said protective airbag chamber by being at least one of movable and inflatable into the given inflation zone.

36. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein said catch straps are embodied by said sensing airbag and said protective airbag being formed of respective airbag fabric types that are different from one another.

37. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein said catch straps are embodied by said sensing airbag and said protective airbag being formed of respective airbag fabrics having different fabric stiffnesses.

38. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein said single-chamber airbag configuration is configured to provide a further airbag having a substantially vertically upwardly extending deployment zone for forcing hands out of the deployment zone, and said further airbag deploys substantially prior to said sensing airbag.

39. The safety device according to claim 38, including:

an airbag outlet wall configuration having an airbag flap; and

said airbag flap being configured to be pushed into an open position, and, when in the open position, said airbag flap guiding at least one of said sensing airbag and said further airbag.

40. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein said sensing airbag is disposed such that said sensing air bag is inflatable from a steering wheel region and said protective airbag is a driver-protection airbag assigned to said sensing airbag.

41. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein said sensing airbag is disposed such that said sensing air bag is inflatable from a dashboard region and said protective airbag is a front passenger-protection airbag assigned to said sensing airbag.

42. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein:

said touch-sensing device includes a threshold device and a measuring device for providing a measurement value, said measuring device includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of a velocity measuring device for measuring an expansion of said sensing airbag, an acceleration measuring device for measuring an expansion of said sensing airbag and a force-measuring film; and

said threshold device is connected downstream of said measuring device, and said threshold device outputs the given control signal when the measurement value is below a set value selected from the group consisting of a velocity set value, an acceleration set value and a force set value.

43. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein:

said touch-sensing device includes switch contacts; and

said switch contacts have a relative position with respect to one another and are configured to change the relative position with respect to one another for one of opening and closing an electrical path and providing the given control signal when said sensing airbag encounters the obstacle.

44. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein said touch-sensing device includes a contact film configured to one of open and close an electrical path for providing the control signal when said sensing airbag encounters the obstacle.

45. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein:

said sensing airbag has a main deployment direction and a front region as seen in the main deployment direction; and

said touch-sensing device is disposed in said front region of said sensing airbag.

46. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein:

said at least one gas generator is a multistage gas generator having a first stage and further stages; and

said control device controls said multistage gas generator for inflating said sensing airbag and said protective airbag such that the first stage of said multistage gas generator is ignited in order to inflate said sensing airbag, and such that, if said touch-sensing device provides the given control signal, a control operation selected from the group consisting of preventing an ignition of the further stages of said multistage gas generator and igniting at least one of the further stages for enabling said multistage gas generator to perform the reduced-power inflation function for inflating said protective airbag is performed.

47. The safety device according to claim 35, including an early crash sensor operatively connected to said control device for sensing a vehicle impact event that is relevant for activating said single-chamber airbag configuration.

48. The safety device according to claim 35, including a pre-crash sensor operatively connected to said control device for sensing, prior to a vehicle impact event, data relevant for activating said single-chamber airbag configuration.

49. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein said sensing airbag is configured to sense, as the obstacle, an out-of-position occupant.

50. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein said single-chamber airbag configuration includes at least one of a further sensing airbag and a further protective airbag.

51. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein said control device controls said at least one gas generator based on the given control signal as a sensed positional parameter and based on further positional parameters provided to said control device.

52. The safety device according to claim 35, wherein said sensing air bag extends into the given inflation zone of said protective airbag by being at least one of movable and inflatable into the given inflation zone.

17. A safety device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a multi-chamber airbag configuration including at least a sensing airbag chamber and a protective airbag chamber assigned to said sensing airbag chamber, said sensing airbag chamber and said protective airbag chamber being configured as two separate airbags chambers in said multi-chamber airbag configuration;

said sensing air bag chamber being finger-shaped and having a first volume, said protective airbag chamber having a second volume, said first volume being smaller than said second volume;

at least one gas generator configured to be activatable in a vehicle impact event and configured to inflate said sensing airbag chamber substantially prior to said protective airbag chamber and with a relatively lower power than said protective airbag chamber;

said protective airbag chamber being configured to be inflated into a given inflation zone for providing a support function;

said sensing airbag chamber being configured to extend into the given inflation zone of said protective airbag chamber and configured to sense an obstacle disposed in the given inflation zone of said protective airbag chamber;

a touch-sensing device connected to said sensing airbag chamber, said touch-sensing device providing a given control signal when said sensing airbag chamber encounters the obstacle;

a control device connected to said touch-sensing device for receiving the given control signal from said touch-sensing device;

said control device, when being provided with the given control signal from said touch-sensing device, performing a control operation selected from the group consisting of preventing said at least one gas generator from inflating said protective airbag chamber and enabling said at least one gas generator to perform a reduced-power inflation function for inflating said protective airbag chamber; and

said control device, when the given control signal from said touch-sensing device is absent, enabling said at least one gas generator to perform a full-power inflation function for inflating said protective airbag chamber.

35. A safety device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a single-chamber airbag configuration configured to provide a sensing airbag and a protective airbag assigned to said sensing airbag, said sensing airbag having a main deployment direction and having a rear region as seen in the main deployment direction;

said single-chamber airbag configuration having given wall sections at said rear region of said sensing airbag and having catch straps disposed at said given wall sections, said catch straps being formed with at least one set breaking point;

said single-chamber airbag configuration being configured to be deployed in an inflation sequence, said catch straps prevent at least portions of said given wall sections from being unfolded in an initial stage of the inflation sequence such that first said sensing airbag is inflated, and, subsequent to said sensing airbag being inflated and with increasing pressure in said single-chamber airbag configuration, said catch straps tear at the at least one set breaking point and said single-airbag configuration is fully inflated for providing said protective airbag;

said sensing air bag being finger-shaped and having a first volume, said protective airbag having a second volume, said first volume being smaller than said second volume;

at least one gas generator configured to be activatable in a vehicle impact event and configured to inflate said sensing airbag substantially prior to said protective airbag and with a relatively lower power than said protective airbag;

said protective airbag being configured to be inflated into a given inflation zone for providing a support function;

said sensing airbag being configured to extend into the given inflation zone of said protective airbag and configured to sense an obstacle disposed in the given inflation zone of said protective airbag;

a touch-sensing device connected to said sensing airbag, said touch-sensing device providing a given control signal when said sensing airbag encounters the obstacle;

a control device connected to said touch-sensing device for receiving the given control signal from said touch-sensing device;

said control device, when being provided with the given control signal from said touch-sensing device, performing a control operation selected from the group consisting of preventing said at least one gas generator from inflating said protective airbag and enabling said at least one gas generator to perform a reduced-power inflation function for inflating said protective airbag; and

said control device, when the given control signal from said touch-sensing device is absent, enabling said at least one gas generator to perform a full-power inflation function for inflating said protective airbag.