SIDE AIRBAG MODULE, VEHICLE SEAT, AND VEHICLE

Abstract

A side airbag module (24) for a restraint device has a side airbag (26), in particular a seat-integrated side airbag (26), wherein the side airbag (26) includes at least a first chamber (32) and at least a second chamber (34) provided above the first chamber (32) which are fluidically connected to each other via a fluid communication, and wherein, in a first activated state of the side airbag module (24), a first pressure (p1) prevails in the first chamber (32) and, in a second activated state, a second pressure (p2) prevails in the first chamber (32) and in the second chamber (34), the first pressure (p1) being higher than the second pressure (p2).

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A side airbag module (24) for a restraint device, comprising a side airbag (26), in particular a seat-integrated side airbag (26), wherein the side airbag (26) includes at least a first chamber (32) and at least a second chamber (34) provided above the first chamber (32), the chambers being fluidically connected to each other via a fluid communication, and wherein, in a first activated state of the side airbag module (24), a first pressure (p1) prevails in the first chamber (32), and wherein, in a second activated state of the side airbag module (24), a second pressure (p2) prevails in the first chamber (3) and in the second chamber (34), the first pressure (p1) being higher than the second pressure (p2).

13. The side airbag module (24) according to claim 12, wherein the first chamber (32) of the side airbag (26) is a shoulder chamber and the second chamber (34) of the side airbag (26) is a head chamber.

14. The side airbag module (24) according to claim 12, wherein the first pressure (p1) is selected such that the first chamber (32) constitutes a pusher and/or that the second pressure (p2) is selected such that the first chamber (32) and/or the second chamber (34) constitute(s) a body protection, in particular a head protection.

15. The side airbag module (24) according to claim 12, wherein the first chamber (32) and the second chamber (34) are separated from each other by a partition wall (38) disposed inside the side airbag (26), wherein an overflow opening (42) constituting the fluid communication is provided in the partition wall (38).

16. The side airbag module (24) according to claim 12, wherein the side airbag (26) includes two outer walls (40, 41) delimiting the first and second chambers (32, 34), wherein the first chamber (32) and the second chamber (34) are separated from each other by a seam provided in the side airbag (26) and connecting the outer walls (40, 41), in particular wherein an interruption constituting the fluid communication is provided in the seam.

17. The side airbag module (24) according to claim 12, wherein the side airbag (26), in particular the outer walls (40, 41), has a tight design.

18. The side airbag module (24) according to claim 12, wherein the side airbag module (24) includes a gas generator (36) which is fluidically connected to the first chamber (32).

19. A vehicle seat (14) comprising a side airbag module (24) according to claim 12, wherein the side airbag module (24) is arranged in the vehicle seat (14) so that, in the activated first and/or in the second state, the first chamber (32) is arranged in the shoulder area of the vehicle seat (14) and the second chamber (34) is arranged in the head area of the vehicle seat (14).

20. The vehicle seat (14) according to claim 19, wherein the second chamber (34) extends, in the first and/or in the second activated state, over the entire height of the head area (35).

21. The vehicle seat (14) according to claim 19, wherein another side airbag module (28), in particular a thorax airbag module (30), is arranged beneath the side airbag module (24) in the vehicle seat (14).

22. A vehicle (10) comprising a side airbag module (24) according to claim 12 and a roof rail-integrated head airbag module (18) including a head airbag (20), wherein, in a side view, in the first and/or in the second activated state, the side airbag (26) is adjacent to and/or overlaps the head airbag (20).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Further advantages and features of the invention will be obvious from the following description and from the following drawings which are referred to, and wherein:

[0022] FIG. 1 schematically shows a portion of a vehicle according to the invention comprising a vehicle seat according to the invention that includes a side airbag module according to the invention,

[0023] FIG. 2 schematically shows the portion according to FIG. 1, wherein the vehicle seat is in a position different from that of FIG. 1,

[0024] FIG. 3 schematically shows the portion according to FIGS. 1 and 2 with a smaller vehicle occupant than in FIGS. 1 and 2,

[0025] FIG. 4 schematically shows a side airbag module according to the invention, and

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a section across the side airbag module from FIG. 4 along the line A-A in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a vehicle 10, in particular of an interior 12 of the vehicle 10, in the area of a vehicle seat 14 of the vehicle 10, with the vehicle seat 14 being in an upright position.

[0028] The vehicle 10 is an automotive vehicle, for example a passenger car.

[0029] In the vehicle seat 14 a vehicle occupant 16 is seated, in particular in a normal position. Such position of the vehicle seat 14 is usually adjusted when the vehicle occupant 16 him-/herself steers the vehicle 10.

[0030] The vehicle 10 comprises a restraint device including plural airbag modules.

[0031] On the one hand, the restraint device comprises a side airbag module 24 according to the invention having a side airbag 26, particularly a seat-integrated side airbag 26. The side airbag module 24 is shown in detail in FIG. 4.

[0032] Moreover, the restraint device comprises a roof rail-integrated head airbag module 18 including a head airbag 20, the head airbag 20 in FIG. 1 being shown in an activated state. The head airbag 20 is suited to support the head of the vehicle occupant 16.

[0033] In a side view of the vehicle 10, as shown in FIG. 1, the side airbag 26 of the side airbag module 24 is adjacent to and overlaps the head airbag 20 in the activated state.

[0034] Moreover, the restraint device comprises another side airbag module 28 in the form of a thorax airbag module 30. The side airbag module 28 may also be integrated in the vehicle seat 14.

[0035] The thorax airbag module 30 is arranged in the vehicle seat 14 beneath the side airbag module 24.

[0036] The side airbag 26 includes a first chamber 32 and a second chamber 34 provided above the first chamber 32.

[0037] The side airbag module 24 is arranged in the vehicle seat 14 such that, in the activated state, the first chamber 32 is arranged in a shoulder area 33 of the vehicle seat 14 and the second chamber 34 is arranged in a head area 35 of the vehicle seat 14.

[0038] According to an alternative embodiment which, to simplify matters, is not illustrated in the Figures, the second chamber 34 may be so large that in the activated state it extends over the entire height of the head area 35.

[0039] The first chamber 32 of the side airbag 26 is in particular a shoulder chamber and the second chamber 34 of the side airbag 26 is a head chamber.

[0040] The first chamber 32 and the second chamber 34 are fluidically connected to each other via a fluid communication, wherein, in a first activated state of the side airbag module 24, a first pressure p1 prevails in the first chamber 32.

[0041] For example, in the first activated state, the second chamber 34 is not or only partially inflated, in particular, however, the first chamber 32 is fully inflated.

[0042] In a second activated state of the side airbag module 24, in the first chamber 32 and in the second chamber 34 a second pressure p2 prevails, wherein the second pressure p2 is lower than the first pressure p1. Both chambers 32, 34 are now inflated.

[0043] The second activated state follows the first activated state during inflation of the side airbag 26.

[0044] In the driving situation illustrated in FIG. 1, the first chamber 32 constitutes a pusher that moves the vehicle occupant 16 away from the side structure of the vehicle 10 in case of need, when the side airbag module 24 is released. This is achieved by selecting an appropriately high first pressure p1.

[0045] The second pressure p2 is selected, on the other hand, so that the side airbag 26 has a supporting effect on a vehicle occupant.

[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates the portion from FIG. 1, wherein the vehicle seat 14 is in a comfort position. In the comfort position the vehicle occupant 16 can further recline.

[0047] In contrast to the driving situation illustrated in FIG. 1, there is less overlapping of the side airbag 26 and the head airbag 20.

[0048] The second chamber 34 can serve, in this driving situation, as body protection, particularly as head protection, by appropriately selecting the second pressure p2.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows the portion of the vehicle 10 illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein the vehicle seat 14 is in the same position as in the driving situation illustrated in FIG. 2. However, in FIG. 3 a vehicle occupant 16 is illustrated who has a smaller body size than the vehicle occupant 16 illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0050] In the driving situation illustrated in FIG. 3, the side airbag 26 may entirely serve as body protection, in particular as head protection.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows the side airbag module 24 from FIGS. 1 to 3 in a detailed view.

[0052] The side airbag module 24 includes a gas generator 36 which is fluidically connected to the first chamber 32 of the side airbag 26. Thus, upon activation of the side airbag module 24, the gas generated by the gas generator 36 initially flows into the first chamber 32, thereby in the first activated state a higher pressure being present in the first chamber 32 than in the second chamber 34.

[0053] The first chamber 32 and the second chamber 34 are separated from each other by a partition wall 38 disposed inside the side airbag 26.

[0054] Apart from the partition wall 38, the side airbag 26 includes two outer walls 40, 41 which delimit the first chamber 32 and the second chamber 34, wherein only one of the two outer walls 40, 41 is visible in FIG. 4.

[0055] For fluidically connecting the first chamber 32 and the second chamber 34 to each other, an overflow opening 42 shown in FIG. 5 and constituting the fluid communication is provided in the partition wall 38.

[0056] Via the overflow opening 42, gas can flow into the second chamber 34 so that, in the second activated state, in both chambers 32, 34 the second pressure p2 adjusts.

[0057] The overflow opening 42 is a cutout in the partition wall 38, for example.

[0058] According to an alternative embodiment, the first chamber 32 and the second chamber 34 may be separated from each other by a seam connecting the outer walls 40, 41 in the side airbag 26. The partition wall 38 can thus be omitted.

[0059] In the case of a seam, an interruption constituting the fluid communication may be provided in the seam.

[0060] Providing a partition wall 38 offers the advantage over a seam that the side airbag 26 in the inflated state can be strongly inflated even in the area of the partition wall 38 so as to ensure body protection.

[0061] In order to be able to build up a sufficiently high pressure both in the first chamber 32 and in the second chamber 34, the side airbag 26, in particular the outer walls 40, 41, is designed to be tight.

[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates a section across the side airbag 26 along the line A-A in FIG. 4.

[0063] In the sectional view, the two outer walls 40, 41 as well as the overflow opening 42 can be seen.

[0064] In cross-section, the side airbag 26 in the inflated state, as illustrated in FIG. 5, has a wing-shaped or leaf-shaped profile.