Pedestrian Safety Device for a Motor Vehicle

• US 20140367186A1
• Filed: 08/29/2014
• Published: 12/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: IVENZ, Udo, MEIERHOFER, Walter, KOESTLER, Ulrich
• Granted Patent: US 9,393,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/274
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23388 having ends which are movable or detachable during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/346 means outside vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/36 using airbags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/38 using means for lifting bonnets

Abstract

A pedestrian safety device for a motor vehicle includes an inflatable airbag that has a volume portion and a gas inlet channel connected with the volume portion. The volume portion is adapted in such a manner that in the inflated state, it extends over a windshield of the motor vehicle. The pedestrian safety device is configured in such a manner that the inflated volume portion is displaceable in an impact direction in the event of an impact of a person on the inflated volume portion.

Claims

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

an inflatable airbag comprising a volume portion and a gas inlet channel, the gas inlet channel being connected with the volume portion, wherein

the volume portion is adapted such that in an inflated state the volume portion extends over a windshield of the motor vehicle, and

the pedestrian safety device is configured to allow the volume portion, when inflated, to be displaceable in an impact direction in an event of a collision of a person with the inflated volume portion.

2. The pedestrian safety device according to claim 1, wherein the gas inlet channel is configured to provide for the displacement of the inflated volume portion in the impact direction.

3. The pedestrian safety device according to claim 2, wherein the gas inlet channel has a geometrical arrangement permitting the displacement of the volume portion upon the impact of the person.

4. The pedestrian safety device according to claim 3, wherein the gas inlet channel branches into two gas inlet channels forming a U-shape.

5. The pedestrian safety device according to claim 4, wherein the gas inlet channel is elastically configured.

6. The pedestrian safety device according to claim 2, wherein the gas inlet channel is elastically configured.

7. The pedestrian safety device according to claim 3, wherein the gas inlet channel is elastically configured.

8. The pedestrian safety device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one extendable and/or separable safety strap configured to allow the displacement of the inflated volume portion in the impact direction, the safety strap holding the volume portion in a first position and being extendable and/or separable under stress caused by an impacting person so that the volume portion is displaceable to at least a second position.

9. The pedestrian safety device according to claim 4, further comprising at least one extendable and/or separable safety strap configured to allow the displacement of the inflated volume portion in the impact direction, the safety strap holding the volume portion in a first position and being extendable and/or separable under stress caused by an impacting person so that the volume portion is displaceable to at least a second position.

10. The pedestrian safety device according to claim 8, wherein the safety strap has a tear seam and/or a releasable glued connection, the tear seam and/or the releasable glued connection being configured so as to tear and/or release under the stress caused by the impacting person so that the safety strap can be extended.

11. The pedestrian safety device according to claim 9, wherein the safety strap has a tear seam and/or a releasable glued connection, the tear seam and/or the releasable glued connection being configured so as to tear and/or release under the stress caused by the impacting person so that the safety strap can be extended.

12. The pedestrian safety device according to claim 1, further comprising a friction-reducing system provided on a side of the volume portion facing the windshield to facilitate displacement of the volume portion on the windshield.

13. The pedestrian safety device according to claim 10, further comprising a friction-reducing system provided on a side of the volume portion facing the windshield to facilitate displacement of the volume portion on the windshield.

14. The pedestrian safety device according to claim 12, wherein the friction-reducing system comprises a friction-reducing coating on the volume portion and/or a slide material layer fixed on the volume portion.

15. A pedestrian safety device for a motor vehicle having a windshield, comprising:

an inflatable airbag comprising a volume portion and a gas inlet channel connected with the volume portion, the volume portion being adapted to extend over the windshield of the motor vehicle in an inflated state; and

means for facilitating displacement of the inflated volume portion upward in an impact direction along the windshield when a person collides with the inflated volume portion.

16. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a pedestrian safety device for the motor vehicle, an inflatable airbag comprising a volume portion and a gas inlet channel, the gas-inlet channel being connected with the volume portion, wherein

the volume portion is adapted such that in an inflated state the volume portion extends over a windshield of the motor vehicle, and

the pedestrian safety device is configured to allow the volume portion, when inflated, to be displaceable in an impact direction in an event of a collision of a person with the inflated volume portion.