Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-02
2001-06-05
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S749000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241277
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typical side impact protection devices comprise a gas bag which in the inflated state at least partially covers a side window of a vehicle, and a tensioning device which via a traction means engages at the gas bag.
A gas bag of such a side impact protection device is tensioned in the inflated state generally between the A- and C-column of the vehicle. Thereby, a correct positioning of the unfolded gas bag is achieved, which is subjected to a contraction in length through the increase in volume on inflating. Furthermore, the tensioning device ensures that the gas bag also still offers a protection effect in a side impact when the compressed gas has already partially escaped from the gas bag and the gas bag slackens. This can be caused by an outflow of gas, directed to specific objectives, to decrease impact energy or by a possible damage to the gas bag during the accident. Even in the case of gas bags which are impermeable to gas, it is not ensured that for example after a preceding impact or in the case of a somersaulting of the vehicle, in which a plurality of contacts between the vehicle occupant and the gas bag can occur, the internal pressure in the gas bag maintains an optimum value. Finally, the cooling of the gas in the gas bag also leads to a reduction of the internal pressure. Clamping devices, known hitherto, with tensioning bands, which on the one hand are connected with the gas bag and on the other hand are connected fixed with the vehicle, use for example tensioned spring elements, band tensioners or gas-pressure-driven pistons, in order to achieve an active tensioning of the bands and hence of the gas bag. A disadvantage in such devices is that they are relatively costly and expensive components are required. In addition, in most cases a separate release device must be provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a side impact protection device with a tensioning device for a gas bag which provides in a simple manner for the gas bag to also be held under tension in the evacuated state.
The side impact protection device according to the invention comprises a gas bag adapted to be translated from a folded condition into an unfolded condition, and a tensioning device. The tensioning device has a traction means with a first and a second end. The first end is connected to the gas bag at a first region and the second end is connected to the gas bag at a second region which is different from the first region. The side impact protection device further comprises at least two deflection points for the traction means. The traction means extends from the first region via the deflection points towards the second region. Hence it is achieved that the gas bag automatically tensions itself through its unfolding, so that a separate device is not necessary for activating the tensioning device. The required components are not very delicate, in particular because no electrical components are required.
Preferably, the traction means is provided with a return stop. The return stop ensures that the tensioned gas bag also provides an effective support under load and hence also a protection against lateral impact in the evacuated state.
There are particular advantages if the traction means has an elastic region. Thereby, a reliable anchoring of the gas bag is achieved independently of its internal pressure over a lengthy period of time, without the traction means being excessively stressed. With a non-unfolded gas bag, the elastic region is not stressed, so that aging effects such as the weakening of the elasticity are avoided. The provision of the elastic region in the traction means also makes it possible, furthermore, with a suitable arrangement of the return stop, to rescue the occupants from the vehicle without a great effort, because the gas bag can be pushed away easily against the resistance of the elastic region.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the articulation points fixed to the vehicle and the traction means guided around them are arranged such that the traction means is deflected about more than 180°. Thereby, for example, in the case of a gas bag which unfolds downwards from the roof edge of the vehicle, a tensioning force onto the gas bag can be achieved, directed forwards with respect to the vehicle. An optimum conversion results when the traction means each engages on a rim region of the gas bag.
The said aim of the invention is also achieved with a gas bag for a side impact protection device on which a traction means is arranged, the traction means being connected with two different regions of the gas bag.
Advantageous developments of the gas bag according to the invention will be apparent from the corresponding sub-claims.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5462308 (1995-10-01), Seki et al.
patent: 5636862 (1997-06-01), Cheung et al.
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patent: 5788270 (1998-08-01), HÅland et al.
patent: 5975566 (1999-11-01), Bocker et al.
patent: 6095551 (2000-08-01), O'Docherty
Heigl Jürgen
Ohlert Franz
Dickson Paul N.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
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