SIDE AIRBAG DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A SIDE AIRBAG DEVICE

Abstract

A side airbag device for a motor vehicle includes an airbag, in which, in the event of an impact, gas is introduced by a gas generator of the side airbag device. The airbag includes drain valve for removing the gas immediately after the impact. The device also includes an electronic computing unit and a further drain valve and/or a further gas generator. A passenger of the motor vehicle is detected by a detection unit. The device is filled with the gas in the event of the impact to protect this passenger. The electronic computing unit is configured, depending on the detected passenger, to determine a gas pressure in the airbag by actuation of the further drain valve or the further gas generator before the impact and to adapt the gas pressure to the passengers during the impact.

Claims

1-6. (canceled)

7. A side airbag device for a motor vehicle, the side airbag device comprising: a gas generator; an airbag fluidically coupled to the gas generator so that, in event of an impact, a gas is introducible into the airbag by the gas generator, wherein the airbag includes a drain valve configured to remove the gas immediately after the impact; an electronic computing unit; a further drain valve or a further gas generator; and a detection unit configured to detect a passenger of the motor vehicle, wherein the side airbag device is filled with the gas in the event of the impact in order to protect this passenger, and wherein the electronic computing unit is configured, depending on the detected passenger, to determine a gas pressure in the airbag due to actuation of the further drain valve or the further gas generator before the impact and to adapt the gas pressure to the passengers during the impact.

8. The side airbag device of claim 7, wherein the electronic computing unit is further configured to determine the gas pressure depending on a height or weight of the passenger.

9. The side airbag device of claim 7, wherein the electronic computing device is further configured to adjust the gas pressure in the airbag also depending on an impact intensity.

10. The side airbag device of claim 7, wherein the further drain valve is configured with at least three opening positions, a first opening position in which the airbag is completely open, a second opening position in which the airbag is partially open, and a third opening position in which the airbag is in a closed state, wherein one of the opening positions is actuated in the event of the impact depending on a control signal of the electronic computing unit.

11. The side airbag device of claim 10, wherein, to generate the at least three opening positions, the further drain valve has at least one cover, which is movable depending on the control signal.

12. A method for operating a side airbag device for a motor vehicle, the method comprising: introducing, in event of an impact, a gas into an airbag of the side airbag device by a gas generator of the side airbag device; draining the gas is drained immediately after the impact via a drain valve; detecting a passenger of the motor vehicle; determining, depending on the detected passenger, a gas pressure in the airbag due to actuation of a further drain valve or a further gas generator prior to the impact; and adapting the gas pressure to the passengers during the impact based on the determined gas pressure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SOLE DRAWING FIGURE

[0019] Here, the sole FIGURE shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle with an embodiment of a side airbag device.

[0020] In the sole FIGURE like or functionally like elements are provided with the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The sole FIGURE shows, in a schematic view, a motor vehicle 10 with a side airbag device 12. The side airbag device 12 comprises an airbag 14, in which, in the event of an impact, a gas is introduced by means of a gas generator 16 of the side airbag device 12, and has a drain valve 18, 20, in the present case in particular two drain valves 18, 20, for removing the gas immediately following the impact.

[0022] The side airbag device 12 comprises an electronic computing unit 22 and a further drain valve 24 and/or a further gas generator, a passenger 28 of the motor vehicle 10 being detected by means of a detection unit 26 of the side airbag device 12, the side airbag device 12 being filled with the gas in the event of the impact in order to protect this passenger 28, and the electronic computing unit 22 being configured, depending on the detected passenger 28, to determine a gas pressure in the airbag 14 by actuation of the further drain valve 24 and/or the further gas generator prior to the impact and to adapt the gas pressure to the passenger 28 during the impact.

[0023] It can further be provided that the electronic computing unit 22 is configured to determine the gas pressure depending on the height of the passenger 28 and/or the weight of the passenger 28. The electronic computing unit 22 can also be configured to adjust the gas pressure in the airbag 14 additionally depending on the impact intensity.

[0024] Furthermore, the further drain valve 24 can have at least three opening positions, a first opening position being completely open, a second opening position being a partial opening, and a third opening position describing a closed state, and one of the opening positions being actuated in the event of the impact depending on a control signal of the electronic computing unit 22. To generate the at least three opening positions, the further drain valve 24 has at least one cover, which is moved depending on the control signal.

[0025] On the whole, it is thus proposed that a gas pressure setting is determined already before the impact and is adjusted depending on the height and/or the weight of the passenger 28 or other people, such that, in the event of the impact, it is already known what gas pressure can be set in the side airbag, also depending on the impact intensity. This is performed in particular with the further drain valve 24 and/or a two-stage and/or a second gas generator.

[0026] The further drain valve 24, which in particular can also be referred to as an adaptive valve, can then be closed, partially opened, or fully opened, accordingly, when triggered. This can be achieved for example by covers, which are moved back and forth accordingly, or further valve devices.

[0027] In the alternatives of the gas generator, the further drain valve 24 is then replaced or supplemented, so that the initial pressure is also adjustable already by the gas generator and this can then likewise be drained for example by the adaptive valve.

[0028] In particular, the further drain valve 24 represents a further additional valve in order to adjust the pressure, the drain valves 18, 20 in the side airbag serving functionally furthermore for draining the airbag.

[0029] The side airbag device 12 thus comprises the adaptive valve, which in particular is actuatable and thus adjustable. Alternatively, or additionally, the side airbag device 12 comprises a second gas generator or a two-stage gas generator, so that an initial pressure level can be set.

[0030] On the whole, the invention presents a side airbag with adaptive pressure control.

[0031] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by way of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed, and other variations can be derived from these by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that there is a plurality of possible variations. It is also clear that embodiments stated by way of example are only really examples that are not to be seen as limiting the scope, application possibilities or configuration of the invention in any way. In fact, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete manner, wherein, with the knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, the person skilled in the art is able to undertake various changes, for example, with regard to the functioning or arrangement of individual elements stated in an exemplary embodiment without leaving the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0032] 10 motor vehicle [0033] 12 side airbag device [0034] 14 airbag [0035] 16 gas generator [0036] 18 drain valve [0037] 20 drain valve [0038] 22 electronic computing unit [0039] 24 further drain valve [0040] 26 detection unit [0041] 28 passenger