AIRBAG FOR AN AIRBAG ARRANGEMENT AND AIRBAG ARRANGEMENT OF A VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract

An airbag for an airbag arrangement of a vehicle seat of vehicle includes an inflatable cover. The inflatable cover includes an upper part facing a seat surface, a lower part facing a vehicle floor, and a casing part interconnecting the upper part and the lower part. The inflatable cover folds during a standby state and inflates during an operational state. During the inflation process, the upper part of the inflatable cover applies a force against the thighs or the pelvic region of an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat to lift these the thighs or the pelvic region of the occupant. The inflatable cover includes at least one cutout to guide an air current through the airbag. The casing part is shaped during the inflation process to define a support surface for engaging the thighs or the pelvic region of the occupant sitting on the vehicle seat.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. An airbag for an airbag arrangement of a vehicle seat of a vehicle, comprising: an inflatable cover comprising an upper part facing a seat surface of the vehicle seat, a lower part facing a vehicle floor of the vehicle, a casing part interconnecting the upper part and the lower part, and a cutout defining a through opening extending from the lower part to the upper part, wherein the inflatable cover is configured to be folded in a standby state and inflated in an operational state, wherein the inflatable cover is folded during the standby state, the upper part and the lower part lie substantially flat and the casing part is folded in between the upper part and the lower part, wherein the inflatable cover is inflated during the inflation process, the upper part of the inflatable cover is configured to apply a force against thighs or a pelvic region of an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat such that the thighs or the pelvic region of the occupant is lifted, and the cutout is configured to guide an air current through the inflatable cover, and wherein the casing part is configured to be shaped during the inflation process of the cover to define a support surface along the upper part for supporting the thighs or the pelvic region of the occupant sitting on the vehicle seat.

14. The airbag according to claim 13, wherein the inflatable cover comprises at least one recess in a region of the casing part or the lower part, and the recess is configured to adapt the inflated cover to an installation environment in the vehicle seat.

15. The airbag according to claim 13, wherein the casing part includes a rear part facing a seat backrest of the vehicle seat, a front part disposed opposite the rear part, a first side part extending from the front part to the rear part, and a second side part extending from the front part to the rear part.

16. The airbag according to claim 15, wherein the cover is inflated during the inflated state, an upper edge of the rear part is disposed lower than an upper edge of the front part in a vehicle vertical direction such that the support surface is inclined toward the seat backrest.

17. The airbag according to claim 15, wherein the first and second side parts each include a first leg connected to the upper part and a second leg connected to the lower part, and the first leg extends at an acute angle with respect to the second leg.

18. The airbag according to claim 13, wherein the inflatable cover completely or partially encloses the cutout.

19. The airbag according to claim 15, wherein the upper part and the lower part are U-shaped or O-shaped.

20. The airbag according to claim 19, wherein the casing part includes a first inner side part and a second inner side part disposed between the first and second side parts, wherein the rear part extends continuously from the first side part to the second side part, and wherein the front part includes a first front part extending from the first side part to the first inner side part and a second front part extending from the second side part to the second inner side part such that the upper part and lower part are U-shaped.

21. The airbag according to claim 19, wherein the casing part includes a first inner side part and a second inner side part disposed between the first and second side parts, wherein the front part extends continuously from the first side part to the second side part, and wherein the rear part includes a first rear part extending from the first side part to the first inner side part and a second rear part extending from the second side part to the second inner side part such that the upper part and lower part are U-shaped.

22. The airbag according to claim 19, wherein the casing part includes an O-shaped inner side part disposed between the first and second side parts, and wherein the rear part extends continuously from the first side part to the second side part and the front part extends continuously from the first side part to the second side part such that the upper part and the lower part are O-shaped.

23. An airbag arrangement for a vehicle seat of a vehicle, comprising: an airbag including an inflatable cover disposed in a seat cushion of the vehicle seat, the inflatable cover is configured to be folded in a standby state and inflated in an operational state; and an inflation apparatus configured to inflate the inflatable cover of the airbag in response to an accident situation, wherein the inflatable cover comprises an upper part facing a seat surface of the vehicle seat, a lower part facing a vehicle floor of the vehicle, a casing part interconnecting the upper part and the lower part, and a cutout defining a through opening extending from the lower part to the upper part, wherein the inflatable cover is folded during the standby state, the upper part and the lower part lie substantially flat and the casing part is folded in between the upper part and the lower part, wherein the inflatable cover is inflated during the inflation process, the upper part of the inflatable cover is configured to apply a force against thighs or a pelvic region of an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat such that a part of a body of the occupant is lifted, and wherein the casing part is configured to be shaped during the inflation process of the cover to define a support surface along the upper part for supporting the thighs or the pelvic region of the occupant sitting on the vehicle seat.

24. The airbag arrangement according to claim 23, wherein the inflation apparatus includes a ventilation arrangement configured to generate an air current, and the cutout is configured to guide the air current generated by the ventilation arrangement to a seat surface of the seat cushion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawing, the same reference signs designate components or elements that perform the same or analogous functions. In the drawings:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective representation of an airbag according to a first embodiment of the invention in an inflated operational state;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a casing part of the airbag from FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the airbag according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an inner casing part of the airbag from FIG. 3;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an outer casing part of the airbag from FIG. 3; and

[0031] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an airbag arrangement of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0032] As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 5, an airbag 10, 10A, 10B for an airbag arrangement 40 of a vehicle seat 50 comprises an inflatable cover 20, 20A, 20B which has an upper part 22, 22A, 22B facing a seat surface and a lower part 24, 24A, 24B facing a vehicle floor base. The inflatable cover 20, 20A, 20B is folded together in a standby state and is inflated in an operational state, wherein, during the inflation process, the inflatable cover 20, 20A, 20B introduces a force via the upper part 22, 22A, 22B into the thighs and/or a pelvic region of an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat 50 in order to lift these body parts. In addition, the inflatable cover 20, 20A, 20B has at least one cutout 30 between the lower part 24, 24A, 24B and the upper part 22, 22A, 22B, through which an air current 32 can be guided.

[0033] As can be seen from FIG. 6, a corresponding airbag arrangement 40 comprises the airbag 10 having the inflatable cover 20, 20A, 20B, wherein the inflatable cover 20, 20A, 20B is arranged folded together in a standby state and inflated in an operational state in a seat cushion of the vehicle seat 50, wherein at least one inflation apparatus 42 inflates the inflatable cover 20, 20A, 20B of the airbag 10 in an accident situation

[0034] According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one casing part 23, 23A, 23Ba, 23Bi interconnects the upper part 22, 22A, 22B and the lower part 24, 24A, 24B of the cover 20, 20A, 20B, wherein the shape and dimensions of the at least one casing part 23, 23A, 23Ba, 23Bi during the inflation process of the cover 20, 20A, 20B predetermine a support surface 29 for the thighs and/or the pelvic region of the occupant sitting on the vehicle seat, so that a planar introduction of force takes place for lifting the thighs and/or the pelvic region.

[0035] As can also be seen from FIG. 6, the inflation apparatus 42 can comprise a gas generator which is arranged in a seat frame of the vehicle seat 50, wherein the released fluid can be fed to the airbag 10, 10A, 10B, for example by means of a gas drive tube or another suitable gas supply, such as a fabric hose or the like. In an alternative embodiment, the gas generator can be integrated in the airbag 10, 10A, 10B. The at least one cutout 30 of the cover 20, 20A, 20B guides the air current 32 generated by a ventilation arrangement 44 to the seat surface of the seat cushion. In this case, in particular an underside of the seat surface 14 is subjected to the air current, and the air current 32 can exit from the seat surface. In addition to the inflation apparatus 42, the airbag arrangement 40 according to an embodiment of the invention that is shown has sensors (not shown). These sensors can, for example, detect a longitudinal position of the vehicle seat and/or an inclination of the seat backrest. Furthermore, sensors can be provided which detect whether the vehicle seat 50 is occupied by an occupant. If the vehicle seat 50 is unoccu-pied, there is no need to trigger the airbag 10, 10A, 10B according to the disclosed embodiments of the invention in an accident situation. Even in the case of a vehicle seat in a normal position with the seat backrest in an upright position, the airbag 10, 10A, 10B according to the disclosed embodiments of the invention does not need to be triggered in an accident situation. In addition, surroundings sensors (not shown) can detect an accident situation and activate the inflation apparatus 42.

[0036] As can further be seen from FIGS. 1 to 5, the shape of the cover 20, 20A, 20B dictates the shape of the airbag 10, 10A, 10B. Reinforcement elements or an inlet valve 12 may be arranged on the cover 20, 20A, 20B, which inlet valve couples the inflation apparatus 42 to the inflatable cover 20, 20A, 20B. The dimensions of the upper part 22, 22A, 22B and the lower part 24, 24A, 24B are adapted to dimensions of the corresponding seat cushion.

[0037] As can also be seen from FIGS. 1 to 5, the at least one casing part 23, 23A, 23Ba, 23Bi forms a rear part 26, 26A, 26Ba, 26Bi facing a seat backrest, a front part 28 opposite the rear part 26, 26A, 26Ba, 26Bi, 28A, 28Ba, 28Bi, and at least two side parts 27Aa, 27Ai, 27Ba, 27Bi of the cover 20, 20A, 20B, wherein the at least two side parts 27Aa, 27Ai, 27Ba, 27Bi connect the front part 28, 28A, 28Ba, 28Bi to the rear part 26, 26A, 26Ba, 26Bi. In this case, the at least one casing part 23, 23A, 23Ba, 23Bi predetermines the shape and the dimensions of the inflated airbag 10, 10A, 10B in the vehicle vertical direction z. The at least one casing part 23, 23A, 23Ba, 23Bi thus causes the height of the inflated airbag 10, 10A, 10B to be increased or controlled independently of the lower part 24, 24A, 24B and/or the upper part 22, 22A, 22B. The corresponding rear part 26, 26A, 26Ba, 26Bi is designed to be lower than the corresponding front part 28, 28A, 28Ba, 28Bi in the vehicle vertical direction z, so that the support surface 29 has an inclination towards the seat backrest in the inflated state of the cover 20, 20A, 20B. By means of the height difference formed between the front part 28, 28A, 28Ba, 28Bi and the corresponding rear part 26, 26A, 26Ba, 26Bi, the thighs and/or the pelvic region of an occupant lying or sitting on the seat cushion are lifted, the thighs and the pelvic region being arranged on the seat cushion. The at least two side parts 27Aa, 27Ai, 27Ba, 27Bi each have two legs 27.1Aa, 27.2Aa, 27.1Ai, 27.2Ai, 27.1Ba, 27.1Bi, 27.2Ba, 27.2Bi which converge at an acute angle. A first leg 27.1Aa, 27.1Ai, 27.1Ba, 27.1Bi is connected to the upper part 22, 22A, 22B, and a second leg 27.2Aa, 27.2Ai, 27.2Ba, 27.2Bi is connected to the lower part 24, 24A, 24B. The acute angle between the two legs 27.1Aa, 27.2Aa, 27.1Ai, 27.2Ai, 27.1Ba, 27.1Bi, 27.2Ba, 27.2Bi predetermines the inclination of the upper part 22, 22A, 22B or the support surface 29 of the upper part 22, 22A, 22B. The lower part 24, 24A, 24B forms a support region which allows the lower part 24, 24A, 24B to be adapted to the installation conditions in the vehicle seat 50.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the inflatable cover 20, 20A, 20B has at least one cutout in the region of the at least one casing part 23, 23A, 23Ba, 23Bi and/or the lower part 24, 24A, 24B, which recess adapts the inflated cover 20, 20A, 20B to an installation environment in the vehicle seat 50. The at least one casing part 23, 23A, 23Ba, 23Bi and the lower part 24, 24A, 24B can have a common indentation, through which a vehicle seat component that is in the way can be bypassed. As a result, the airbag 10, 10A, 10B can be adapted, for example, to a support geometry in the vehicle seat 50 and still provide a support surface on the upper part 22, 22A, 22B and/or pelvic region for lifting the thighs and/or the pelvic region of the occupant. An underside of the seat cushion rests partially on the support surface 29 of the upper part 22, 22A, 22B. The seat surface on which the thighs and/or the pelvic region of the occupant rest is arranged over the support surface 29 of the upper part 22, 22A, 22B, so that the thighs and/or the pelvic region indirectly rest flat on the support surface 29 of the upper part 22, 22A, 22B and thereby also have the inclination of the upper part 22, 22A, 22B. As a result, in the inflated state of the cover 20, 20A, 20B, it is at least more difficult or impossible for the occupant to slip through under a belt strap.

[0039] As can also be seen from FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the at least one cutout 30 is designed as a through opening 30A, 30B, with the inflatable cover 20, 20A, 20B completely or partially enclosing the through opening 30A, 30B.

[0040] The airbag 10, 10A according to first embodiment of the invention, illustrated in

[0041] FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a U-shaped upper part 22, 22A and a U-shaped lower part 24, 24A. The U-shape in this case comprises two legs, which run in the longitudinal direction of the seat cushion, and a web connecting the two legs, which web runs in the transverse direction of the seat cushion. In the illustrated embodiment, the U-shape is open to the front. This means that the connecting web is arranged adjacent to the seat backrest, and end regions of the two legs point away from the seat back. The illustrated airbag 10, 10A according to the first embodiment of the invention has a casing part 23, 23A which forms two outer side parts 27Aa, two inner side parts 27Ai, a continuous rear part 26A, and a multi-piece front part 28A. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the U-shape is open at the back. This means that the connecting web is arranged adjacent to a front edge of the seat cushion and that the end regions of the two legs point towards the seat backrest. In this case, the casing part forms two outer side parts 27Aa, two inner side parts 27Ai, a continuous front part, and a multi-piece rear part. The multi-piece front part 28A and the multi-piece rear part each comprise two outer elements and a middle element arranged offset rearwardly between the two outer elements. The inner side parts 27Ai form a wall delimiting the through opening 30A, with the through opening 30A being only partially surrounded by the cover 20, 20A in the U-shaped embodiment.

[0042] The airbag 10, 10B according to the second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, comprises an O-shaped upper part 22, 22B and an O-shaped lower part 24, 24B. In addition, the cover 20, 20B of the airbag 10, 10B according to the second embodiment of the invention comprises an outer casing part 23Ba which forms two outer side parts 27Ba, a continuous rear part 26Ba, and a continuous front part 28Ba, and an inner casing part 23Bi which forms two inner side parts 27Bi, an inner rear part 26Bi, and an inner front part 28Bi. The inner casing part 23Bi forms a wall delimiting the through opening 30B, with the through opening 30B being completely surrounded by the cover 20, 20B in the O-shaped embodiment.

[0043] The airbag 10, 10A, 10B according to the disclosed embodiments of the invention and the airbag arrangement 40 according to the disclosed embodiments of the invention allow the occupant to be protected as well as possible in any seating position, without sacrificing the usual seating comfort by temperature control or ventilation of the ventilation arrangement 44.

[0044] The support surface 29 and the inclination of the upper part 22, 22A, 22B and a height of the inflated cover 20, 20A, 20B can be easily predetermined by the casing parts 23, 23A, 23Ba, 23Bi, and various embodiments can be easily implemented.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0045] 10, 10A, 10B Airbag [0046] 12 Inlet valve [0047] 20, 20A, 20B Inflatable cover [0048] 22, 22A, 22B Upper part [0049] 23, 23A, 23Ba, 23Bi Casing part [0050] 24, 24A, 24B Lower part [0051] 26, 26A, 26Ba, 26Bi Rear part [0052] 27Aa, 27Ba Outer side part [0053] 27Ai, 27Bi Inner side part [0054] 27.1Aa, 27.1Ai, 27.1Ba, 27.1Bi First leg [0055] 27.2Aa, 27.2Ai, 27.2Ba, 27.2Bi Second leg [0056] 28, 28A, 28Ba, 28Bi Front part [0057] 29 Support surface [0058] 30 Cutout [0059] 30A, 30B Through opening [0060] 32 Air current [0061] 40 Airbag arrangement [0062] 42 Inflation apparatus [0063] 44 Ventilation arrangement [0064] 50 Vehicle seat