DE102024102597A1 - airbag - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag (1) with a gas bag (2), a cold gas generator (8) which is fluidically connected to the gas bag (2) and is filled with a pressurized gas, wherein the cold gas generator (8) has a closure (9) which can be released by an electric current pulse, wherein the cold gas generator (8), when activated by releasing the closure (9), suddenly releases the pressurized gas into the gas bag (2) and thereby inflates the gas bag (2), and an actuator (3) for releasing the closure (9), wherein the actuator (3) has an induction coil (5) and a magnet (4) connected to a first end of a pulling element (6), and a releasable blocking mechanism (7) is provided which fixes the magnet (4) relative to the induction coil (5) in a predetermined position with a defined holding force, wherein the magnet (4) exerts a pulling force on the pulling element (6) which determines the holding force of the blocking mechanism (7), is displaceable relative to the induction coil (5).

Description

The present invention relates to an airbag having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Airbags of this type comprise an inflatable gas bag and a cold gas generator containing a large amount of a gas under high pressure, preferably nitrogen or CO2 in liquid form. When activated, the cold gas generator suddenly releases a very high volume flow of gas, which is then introduced into the gas bag to inflate it.

Such airbags are used, for example, to protect motorcyclists, skiers, cyclists, scooter riders, or similar mobile vehicles. It is also conceivable that such airbags could be used to protect people at risk of falling or athletes participating in high-risk sports.

The airbag can be integrated into a piece of clothing, for example, or worn as a separate part, such as an airbag vest. The airbag comprises the gas bag, which, in the intended configuration of the airbag, is positioned relative to the person to be protected in such a way that, when inflated, it unfolds into a shape such that, in the event of a fall or a general hazard, the person to be protected is immersed in the gas bag with the body part specifically requiring protection, or is covered by the gas bag in the area of the body part to be protected.

Furthermore, such airbags can also be used wherever a suddenly inflated gas bag can be useful. These include, for example, buoyancy aids, buoyancy devices, rescue devices for rescuing people and creating clearance, or even lifting devices and pressure devices in general. The inflated gas bag of the airbag deliberately creates a corresponding buoyancy or displacement volume, which generates buoyancy, creates appropriate clearance, or can also be used to lift objects.

The cold gas generator in the airbag has a detachable closure which can be released by an electric current pulse when the airbag is activated, so that the gas flow is released.

Such a gas generator is known, for example, from the publication DE 195 24 094 A1 The electrical current pulse is generated there with the help of an energy source, which is supplied with power from a car battery, for example.

A disadvantage of this solution is that an external energy source must be provided to activate the airbag.

Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide an airbag with a gas bag and a cold gas generator which can be activated without an external energy source.

According to the invention, an airbag with the features of claim 1 is proposed to solve the problem. Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the subclaims, the figures and the associated description.

According to the basic idea of the invention, it is proposed that the actuator for releasing the closure has an induction coil and a magnet connected to a first end of a pulling element, and a releasable blocking mechanism is provided which fixes the magnet relative to the induction coil in a predetermined position with a defined holding force, wherein the magnet is displaceable relative to the induction coil by exerting a pulling force on the pulling element which exceeds the holding force of the blocking mechanism, or the induction coil is displaceable relative to the magnet by exerting a pulling force on the actuator which exceeds the holding force of the blocking mechanism, and thereby generates the current pulse in the induction coil necessary to release the closure.

The proposed airbag thus has an actuator that can be activated independently of an external energy source, as it generates the energy required to release the closure itself in the form of a short current pulse. Activation is triggered by pulling on the pulling element or on the actuator, and the resulting relative movement of the magnet through the induction coil or the induction coil over the magnet after overcoming the holding force exerted by the blocking mechanism. This allows the airbag to be used as a standalone unit and does not require any integration into a higher-level control or energy structure. If the airbag is to be used, for example, for rescue and the creation of free space or as a buoyancy aid, the airbag can also be easily activated manually by the operator pulling on the pulling element themselves, thereby actively deploying the airbag. To prevent the airbag from being deployed accidentally, for example in the event of shocks, the magnet is protected from the induction coil by the blocking mechanism. The tension coil is held in place until the predetermined holding force is reached. The holding force is dimensioned such that natural accelerations or other external mechanical influences on the airbag, and in particular on the actuator, do not cause the tensile forces acting on the tension element and the magnet to exceed the predetermined holding force, resulting in the airbag being deployed unintentionally.

It is further proposed that the actuator comprise a housing to which the induction coil is attached, and that the housing comprise a guide for the magnet, which is designed such that the magnet is guided during the relative movement relative to the induction coil and, in particular, executes a movement through the induction coil. The magnet and the induction coil are thus spatially aligned with one another by the housing, and the movement of the magnet relative to the induction coil is precisely defined by the guide in such a way that the magnet is moved through the induction coil or the induction coil is moved over the magnet.

It is further proposed that a steel plate be provided on the housing, to which the magnet is fixed by its magnetic attraction force, counteracting the tensile force exerted by the tension element. The steel plate forms a device for fixing the magnet, whereby the magnet's magnetic properties are utilized to fix the magnet. The magnetic force acting between the steel plate and the magnet can supplement the holding force of the blocking mechanism or, alternatively, be part of the holding force exerted by the blocking mechanism. The steel plate would thus be part of the blocking mechanism.

It is further proposed that the blocking mechanism comprise a locking element that is spring-loaded and fixes the magnet in the predetermined position, and the force exerted by the spring on the locking element defines the holding force exerted on the magnet. The spring's spring force is designed to define the holding force; additionally, a steel plate with a holding force acting on the magnet can be provided.

It is further proposed that a guide contour be provided on the housing, in which the locking element is guided during a movement from a locked position to a released position. The guide contour on the housing guides the movement of the locking elements relative to the housing and thus also relative to the magnet.

It is further proposed that the current pulse have a current intensity of 1.2 A over a period of 2 ms, preferably 1.75 A over a period of 0.5 ms. The proposed current intensities and durations of the current pulses have proven sufficient in various tests to release the closures of the applicant's cold gas generators.

It is further proposed that the magnet has a magnetic field with a magnetic flux density of at least 1 T.

It is further proposed that the tension element have a fastening projection at its second end for attaching the tension element to an external structure. The airbag can thus be easily integrated into a higher-level structure for automatic activation. Due to the external fastening of the second end, the tension element automatically generates the tensile force required to release the closure and activate the cold gas generator or the airbag upon movement of the airbag relative to the attached second end of the tension element.

Furthermore, to achieve the object, a vehicle with a restraint device having an airbag according to one of claims 1 to 8 is proposed, in which the airbag has a person holder for fixing the airbag to a person sitting on the vehicle, and the tension element is fastened to the vehicle.

By wearing the airbag and attaching the second end to the vehicle, the relative movement of the person to be protected relative to the vehicle, which inevitably occurs in accidents, is used to deploy the airbag itself. Thus, the airbag essentially activates itself when the person moves relative to the vehicle. The activation threshold and the direction of the person's movement that triggers activation are defined by the design of the tension element and the attachment location of the second end.

• 1 Ein erfindungsgemäßes Fahrzeug in Form eines Motorrades mit einer darauf sitzenden Person mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Airbag in verschiedenen Stellungen einer Vorverlagerung; und
• 2 einen Kaltgasgenerator mit einem Aktuator vor der Aktivierung; und
• 3 den Kaltgasgenerator mit dem Aktuator während der Aktivierung; und
• 4 den Aktuator als Einzelteil in einer vergrößerten Darstellung; und
• 5 den Aktuator in verschiedenen Stellungen vor und während der Aktivierung.

The invention will be explained below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

• 1 A vehicle according to the invention in the form of a motorcycle with a person sitting thereon with an airbag according to the invention in various positions of forward displacement; and
• 2 a cold gas generator with an actuator before activation; and
• 3 the cold gas generator with the actuator during activation; and
• 4 the actuator as a single part in an enlarged view; and
• 5 the actuator in different positions before and during activation.

In the 1 A vehicle 100 according to the invention can be seen in the form of a motorcycle with a person 200 sitting on it, wearing an airbag 1 according to the invention, e.g., in the form of a vest. A motorcycle is provided as the vehicle here, but it is also conceivable for the person 200 to be sitting on a bicycle, a scooter, a jet ski, a skibob, or the like.

The left-hand illustration a) shows the vehicle 100 with the person 200 before the activation of the airbag 1. The airbag 1 is designed as a vest and comprises, as basic elements, a gas bag 2 and an actuator 3. When the airbag 1 is deployed, the actuator 3 is arranged on the back of the person 200, and the gas bag 2 covers a large part of the back, the shoulders, and part of the chest area. However, depending on the optimal restraint geometry for the person 200 to be protected, the gas bag 2 can have any shape and can also cover other parts of the body, such as the head in the form of a hood or side areas of the body.

The actuator 3 comprises, as basic components, a housing 11 with an induction coil 5 arranged thereon and a magnet 4 displaceable within the housing 11. The magnet 4 is connected to a first end of a tension element 6, which is rigidly connected to the vehicle 100 at its second end. For this purpose, the tension element 6 has a fastening lug at its second end, with which it can be fastened to a suitable counter lug on the vehicle 100. The person 200 first puts on the airbag 1 and then fastens the second end of the tension element 6 to the vehicle, thereby essentially bringing the airbag 1 into a standby state.

If an accident occurs in this ready position of the airbag 1, as a result of which the person is accelerated relative to the vehicle, as shown in illustrations b) and c) of the 1 As can be seen, the tension element 6 is initially tensioned in a first phase. During the further movement of the person 200, the actuator 3 is then moved further relative to the magnet 4, whereby the magnet 4, blocked from this movement by the tensioned tension element 6, passes the induction coil 5.

This movement of the magnet 4 can also be seen from the 2 and 3 can be seen from two different positions of the magnet 4. In the 2 The position of the magnet 4 before the activation of the airbag 1 is as shown in the illustration a) of the 1 The actuator 3 is connected via an electrical line 10 to a releasable closure 9 of a cold gas generator 8 of the airbag 1, which in turn is fluidically connected to the gas bag 2 of the airbag 1. The actuator 3 additionally comprises a releasable blocking mechanism 7, which is arranged on the housing 11 such that it fixes the magnet 4 in a predetermined position spaced from the induction coil 5. The releasable blocking mechanism 7 is in the 4 can be seen in an enlarged view. The releasable blocking mechanism 7 is, as explained in more detail below, designed to block the magnet 4 with a predetermined holding force against movement in the direction of the induction coil 5.

If the tensile force in the tensile element 6 increases to such an extent that the holding force exerted by the blocking mechanism 7 is exceeded, the magnet 4 is pulled by the induction coil 5, overcoming the holding force of the blocking mechanism 7. In the process, a current pulse is generated in the induction coil 5, which releases the releasable closure 9 of the cold gas generator 8 and activates the cold gas generator 8 to release the gas flow into the gas bag 2. In the present exemplary embodiment, the actuator 3 with the housing 11 and the induction coil 5 arranged thereon is pulled relative to the magnet 4, which is blocked in the direction of this movement. In effect, this is identical to the magnet 4 being pulled by the actuator 3, since only the relative movement of the magnet 4 to the induction coil 5, or vice versa, is important for generating the current pulse. The applied tensile force thus corresponds in this exemplary embodiment to the tensile force applied to the actuator 3.

The current pulse released when the magnet 4 passes through the induction coil 5 to release the closure 9 has a current intensity of 1.2 A over a period of 2 ms, preferably 1.75 A over a period of 0.5 ms. For this purpose, the magnet 4 has a magnetic field with a magnetic flux density of at least 1 T. Neodymium magnets have proven suitable as magnets 4 in tests. For the induction coil 5, a winding of an insulated copper wire with a diameter of 0.4 mm in at least 1000 revolutions, an inner diameter of 20 mm, and an axial length of the induction coil 5 of 40 mm has proven to be useful.

In the 4 An enlarged section of the actuator 3 with the magnet 4 and the releasable blocking mechanism 7 can be seen. A steel plate 16 is provided on the housing 11, to which the magnet 4 is additionally fixed by exerting its magnetic force. This can facilitate assembly, and the magnet 4 can generally be held in position in a simpler manner relative to the housing 11. The releasable blocking mechanism 7 comprises a spring 15, which bears against an annular disc 12 with a first end and is supported with a second end in the axial direction on the housing 11. On the side of the annular disc 12 facing away from the spring 15, two rod-shaped blocking elements 13 bear, which are each guided in obliquely outwardly extending guide contours 14. The blocking elements 13 bear with their sides facing away from the annular disc 12 against the front side of the magnet 4, so that they prevent the magnet 4 from moving in the direction shown in the illustration of the 4 The induction coil 5 is also included. The locking element 13 is spring-loaded against the magnet 4 by the spring 15 via the annular disc 12. The tension element 6 is connected to the magnet 4 at its first end, with the tension element 6 extending between the locking elements 13, through the annular disc 12 and the spring 15, to the outside.

The holding force exerted by the releasable blocking mechanism 7 on the magnet 4 defines the minimum tensile force to be applied via the pulling element 6 to activate the airbag 1 or, conversely, the tensile force to be applied to the actuator 3 when the magnet 4 is blocked to activate the airbag 1. If the magnet 4 rests against a steel plate 16 and is thus additionally held by its own magnetic force, the holding force to be overcome results from the sum of the holding force of the blocking mechanism 7 and the magnetic force between the magnet 4 and the steel plate 16. The spring 15 is a compression spring in the form of a spiral spring with annular windings of an identical diameter, through which the pulling element 6 extends.

In the 5 The releasable blocking mechanism 7 with the magnet 4 can be seen in different positions. The illustration a) shows the position of the magnet 4 before the activation of the airbag 1, i.e. according to the 1a) , the 2 and the 4 The magnet 4 rests against the steel plate 16 and is blocked against movement in the direction of the imaginary induction coil 5 by the spring-loaded locking elements 13, which rest against the end face of the magnet 4. If a tensile force is now exerted via the pulling element 6 or via the actuator 3, which exceeds the holding force of the blocking mechanism 7 and the magnetic force between the steel plate 16 and the magnet 4, the magnet 4 is displaced in the direction of the arrow in illustration b), or the actuator 3 with the housing 11, the blocking mechanism and the induction coil 5 is displaced against the direction of the arrow. As a result of this relative movement, the locking elements 13 are displaced radially outwards in the guide contour 14. At the same time, the annular disc 12 is displaced via the locking element 13 under compression of the spring 15 in the direction of the imaginary induction coil 5, or conversely, the induction coil 5 is displaced in the direction of the annular disc 12. The locking elements 13 are thereby displaced outwards until they rest on the radial outer side of the magnet 4, and the magnet 4 can be moved further between the locking elements 13 by the annular disc 12 and the spring 15, as shown in the illustration c) of the 5 can be seen. If the actuator 3 moves, the housing 11 would be displaced further with the annular disk 12 and the spring 15 over the stationary magnet. This removes the blockage of the magnet 4, and the magnet 4 can be pulled in its further movement by the induction coil 5 to generate the necessary current pulse, or conversely, the actuator 3 can be displaced with the induction coil 5 over the magnet 4. The current pulse required to release the closure 9 is generated due to the law of electrical induction, which current pulse is then passed on via the electrical line 10 to the closure 9 to release it. If the current pulse is to be increased, this can be achieved by increasing the number of turns of the induction coil 5, by using a magnet 4 with a higher magnetic flux density, or by increasing the relative speed of the magnet 4 to the induction coil 5.

According to the invention, the holding force of the blocking mechanism 7 alone is sufficient to hold the magnet 4 in the deactivated state of the airbag 1. However, the holding force can be supported by the magnetic force between the steel plate 16 and the magnet 4.

The invention has been described with reference to an application of the airbag 1 to a person 200 sitting on a motorcycle. However, it is also conceivable to use the airbag 1 to protect persons 200 on other vehicles 100, provided the persons to be protected have a fixed spatial relationship to the vehicle 100, so that the tension element 6 can be fastened accordingly to the vehicle 100 and a movement of the person 200 that deviates from the normal position of the person 200 can be used to activate the airbag 1.

Furthermore, the airbag 1 according to the invention can also be used to rescue people, e.g., as a buoyancy aid or to create clearance. In this case, the airbag 1 can be positioned accordingly and manually triggered by pulling on the tension element 6. Such buoyancy aids can be useful, for example, for skiers caught in an avalanche. Furthermore, the airbags can be used, for example, to rescue injured persons by positioning the airbags 1 in appropriate narrow spaces, and enlarging the narrow spaces accordingly by activating the airbags 1 and inflating the gas bags 2.

List of reference symbols

1

airbag

2

gas bag

3

Actuator

4

magnet

5

Induction coil

6

Tension element

7

Blocking mechanism

8

Cold gas generator

9

closure

10

Electrical line

11

Housing

12

Ring disc

13

Locking element

14

Guide contour

15

compression spring

16

steel plate

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 195 24 094 A1 [0007]

Claims (9)

Airbag (1) with - a gas bag (2), - a cold gas generator (8) which is fluidically connected to the gas bag (2) and is filled with a pressurized gas, wherein - the cold gas generator (8) has a closure (9) which can be released by an electric current pulse, wherein - the cold gas generator (8), when activated by releasing the closure (9), suddenly releases the pressurized gas into the gas bag (2) and thereby inflates the gas bag (2), and - an actuator (3) for releasing the closure (9), characterized in that - the actuator (3) has an induction coil (5) and a magnet (4) connected to a first end of a pulling element (6), and - a releasable blocking mechanism (7) is provided which fixes the magnet (4) relative to the induction coil (5) in a predetermined position with a defined holding force, wherein - the magnet (4) exerts a pulling force on the Tensile element (6) which exceeds the holding force of the blocking mechanism (7) relative to the induction coil (5) or -the induction coil (5) is displaceable relative to the magnet (4) by exerting a tensile force on the actuator (3) which exceeds the holding force of the blocking mechanism (7), and thereby generates the current pulse in the induction coil (5) necessary to release the closure (9). Airbag (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that - the actuator (3) has a housing (11) to which the induction coil (5) is fastened, and - the housing (11) has a guide for the magnet (4), which is designed such that the magnet (4) executes a movement through the induction coil (5) during the displacement movement. Airbag (1) after Claim 2 , characterized in that - a steel plate (16) is provided on the housing (11), to which the magnet (4) is fixed by its magnetic attraction force against the tensile force exerted by the pulling element (6). Airbag (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that - the blocking mechanism (7) has a locking element (13) which is loaded by a spring (15) and fixes the magnet (4) in the predetermined position, and - the force exerted by the spring (15) on the locking element (13) defines the holding force exerted on the magnet (4). Airbag (1) after Claim 4 in reference to one of the Claims 2 or 3 , characterized in that - a guide contour (14) is provided on the housing (11), in which the locking element (13) is guided in a movement from a locking position into a release position. Airbag (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that - the current pulse has a current intensity of 1.2 A in a time period of 2 ms, preferably of 1.75 A in a time period of 0.5 ms. Airbag (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that - the magnet (4) has a magnetic field with a magnetic flux density of at least 1 T. Airbag (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that - the tension element (6) has at its second end a fastening lug for fastening the tension element (6) to an external structure. Vehicle (100) with a restraint device with an airbag (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 , characterized in that - the airbag (1) has a person holder for fixing the airbag (1) to a person (200) sitting on the vehicle (100), and - the pulling element (6) is fastened to the vehicle (100).