DE10039803A1 - Vehicle roof has outer shell and inner lining below which folded air bag is mounted to protect passengers in event of vehicle turning over - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle roof has an outer shell (3) and an inner lining (4) below which a folded air bag (7, 8) is mounted to protect passengers in the event of the vehicle turning over. Gas generators for the air bag are mounted in the roof support columns or in the boot.

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle roof, in particular for a motor vehicle, according to the Preamble of claim 1.

A conventional, well-known vehicle roof includes a roof skin and an associated headlining that connects the roof skin to the vehicle interior covers. In the event of a rollover, there is a risk that the occupant's head on the vehicle roof or other hard structures, such as. B. a sunroof edge, bounce. The headroom is such Rollover additionally restricted by the deformation of the vehicle roof. Such a head impact is particularly problematic when the vehicle occupant is not buckled properly.

A safety device is known from US Pat. No. 5,470,103, which has a on the roof skin attached airbag module, the airbag in the activated and inflated State has an E-shape. Furthermore, a headlining is provided, which is the structure covers from below in a conventional manner. Impact protection is forward here to the windshield area as well as to the side to the side window area and possible between two adjacent seating positions while protective measures after above for the roof area are not intended for a rollover.

A generic vehicle roof is known from US 5 775 726. This Vehicle roof comprises a roof skin and a headliner that can be connected to it covers the roof skin towards the vehicle interior. In addition here is at least one Airbag module provided as a safety device, the at least one Rollover airbag with this associated at least one gas generator, wherein the rollover airbag in the event of a rollover as impact protection in the roof area is inflatable above at least one occupant seating area.

Specifically, an airbag module is provided in the area between the roof skin and the headlining is arranged, the airbag module attached to the roof skin here  is and the headliner covers the arrangement in a conventional manner from below. To create impact protection, it can cover the entire front and / or Airbag extending in the area between the roof skin and the rear passenger area Headliner to be inflated. To unfold and increase volume in the To enable the area between the roof skin and the headlining is in the Basic state between the headlining and the roof skin from the outset sufficient distance is provided. However, this makes it a relatively high overall Roof structure created, which may have headroom in the vehicle interior can affect. In addition, with this structure, the vehicle occupant hits one Rollover first onto the headliner before damping through the Rollover airbag can be done. In the event of an impact, the contact forces can be relatively large. Alternatively, the headlining can also be made from one be made of elastic material, which is also when the airbags deploy expands. However, such a headlining is relatively unwieldy and therefore also to assemble relatively complex.

The object of the invention is to provide an alternative vehicle roof, in particular for a Motor vehicle to create that simple and inexpensive as well as simple and is quick to assemble and with a rollover that works in the event of an impact Contact forces can be reduced.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1.

According to claim 1, the headliner comprises a carrier plate, on the in the assembled Condition of the roof lining facing the vehicle interior Underside of at least one rollover airbag in the non-activated basic state is folded together so that the at least one rollover airbag at one Vehicle rollover in the vehicle interior in the area below the headlining is preferably inflatable over a large area.

With such a structure, the at least one rollover airbag can be advantageous Inflated quickly and well below the headlining, so that in the In the event of an impact, an impact damping directly and immediately over the Rollover airbag takes place. As a result, the contact forces in the event of an impact, in particular in the event of a head impact, may be considerably reduced.  

In addition, such a structure is very compact overall, so that none Headroom, which may impair high roof structures. As well can on such a support plate also equipment such as z. B. handles, sun visors, clothes hooks, lighting elements etc. on simple Way.

Basically there are various options for at least one rollover airbag to be arranged or held on the underside of the carrier plate when not activated. In a particularly preferred embodiment it is provided that the at least a rollover airbag in the non-activated state over a large area area to be covered is folded such that when the at least a rollover airbag deploys substantially downward Vehicle interior takes place. This makes a particularly fast and advantageous Reliable airbag deployment in the impact-critical areas is achieved because the Airbag essentially only has to inflate downwards.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one gas generator of the at least one rollover airbag Airbag module to form a headliner assembly unit also on the Carrier plate of the headlining arranged. One is particularly advantageous here advantageous parts and function integration created in that at least an airbag module is formed and manufactured integrally with the headlining. As a result, the airbag module forms a single one together with the headlining Assembly unit that can be easily assembled, so that the Assembly times during final assembly as well as assembly costs can be reduced can. In addition, such a final assembly is much easier to carry out because the headliner assembly unit here only z. B. in a conventional manner with Roof skin needs to be clipped. The gas generators are preferred Cold gas generators with which the thermal component loads are advantageously reduced can be. Furthermore, the service life of the Airbags can be increased because they prevent pressure loss due to gas cooling is.

According to an alternative embodiment to the embodiment just explained it can be provided that the at least one gas generator on the headliner Vehicle body is arranged. A gas generator can, for example, in the area of a  A pillar and / or a B pillar and / or a C pillar and / or a trunk be arranged and with the respectively assigned airbag via a hose and / or be connected to a gas lance.

Basically there are depending on the specific given Installation situations different possibilities around the impact-critical area cover. In a preferred specific embodiment, an is activated Condition of a front passenger area covering a large area Rollover airbag and a large area covering a rear passenger area Rear passenger rollover airbag provided. With two such rollover airbags one effective impact protection in the particularly critical impact area above the rear and front occupants, the less impact critical, in Seen in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the central roof area is not covered here, as a result volume reduction and material savings are achieved.

In a first specific further training it is provided that both the Rear passenger rollover airbag and front passenger rollover airbag each separate gas generator is assigned. Preferably, the front occupant Rollover airbag assigned gas generator seen in the vehicle longitudinal direction on front headlining edge area and the rear passenger rollover airbag assigned gas generator seen in the vehicle longitudinal direction at a rear Headliner edge area arranged, preferably in the middle of each Headliner edge area are arranged. This makes it quick and reliable The airbag can be deployed and activated in the desired area. Alternatively, a gas generator can also be located in a middle area between the front occupant and rear occupant area may be arranged, the Gas generator here is preferably designed in two stages and a first Gas generator stage with the front passenger rollover airbag and a second Gas generator stage is coupled to the rear passenger rollover airbag.

In an alternative embodiment, a single rollover airbag is provided which a front occupant covering the front occupant area over a large area Airbag area and a large area covering the rear passenger area Includes rear passenger airbag area by at least one tubular Connector are connected together. With the at least one  tubular connector is achieved that the inflation volume does not increase here gets big.

However, it can also be provided that each seat is preferably one Rollover airbag folded over a large area is assigned. Even with one Construction results in the advantages mentioned above.

The carrier plate can in principle be made of any suitable material. In A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that the carrier plate is made of a plastic material and / or at least partially from one Energy absorption material is made. This can be used in the case of the carrier plate of an impact in addition to the at least one rollover airbag, an impact damping with targeted and controlled energy absorption. For example, the Carrier plate here completely from an energy absorption foam, e.g. B. one Made of polyurethane foam.

Basically, the airbag can be folded and configured here so that it Shields the roof lining towards the vehicle interior. The at least one In a preferred embodiment, however, the airbag faces the vehicle interior shielded by means of a fabric layer, the z. B. about the at least one Rollover airbag together with the carrier plate can be tensioned. The fabric layer is included through the inflating airbag, preferably along the edge of the airbag Target tear lines, designed to be tearable. This results in good shielding from the Vehicle interior, with a visual and Design-technically favorable adaptation to the vehicle interior design is possible. The fabric layer can z. B. be glued to the airbag fabric itself. In addition is this ensures that the fabric layer does not hinder the inflation process.

To record an impending or actual rollover, a rollover Sensor device is provided which is coupled to the at least one airbag module and activated it if necessary. This ensures a high level of functional reliability in connection with timely activation of the body as a safety device.

To ensure that the rollover airbag is only activated in the area on a seated user can also use a device for detecting the  Seat occupancy can be provided with which the airbag modules are only activated in Dependence on a sensed seat occupancy is feasible.

For energy absorption, in which the gas in the airbag not only and is pushed here and with the risk of puncturing the head can advantageously be reduced, the at least one airbag can advantageously be in at least two airbag chambers can be divided by overflow openings are interconnected. By dividing the at least one airbag into The inflation volume of the airbag can also be used for targeted and chambers rapid inflation can be advantageously reduced. This is a targeted and advantageous controlled energy absorption possible.

For long service lives of preferably several seconds, the at least one Airbag made of a gas impermeable fabric and / or has the at least one airbag has no outflow openings. Furthermore, to increase the Cold gas generators can also be used because there is a loss of pressure with them is avoidable by gas cooling. In addition, with such cold gas generators the thermal component loads can also advantageously be reduced.

In order to provide a particularly effective impact protection, can also be provided that the at least one rollover airbag in the inflated state additionally covers a side roof frame and / or a sunroof cutout.

The headlining is also advantageous in a conventional manner with clip elements and / or screw elements on the roof skin.

Such a structure can also in a particularly simple manner existing series vehicle can be integrated without large constructive Modifications to the vehicle itself must be made. Possibly can in addition to at least one rollover airbag at least one other Airbag preferably arranged at the edge, preferably a side airbag and / or an interaction airbag and / or a windshield airbag and / or a Rear impact airbag, be arranged on the carrier plate, this or this if necessary correspondingly assigned gas generators also integrally on the carrier plate are arranged.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of a drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle roof,

Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line AA of Fig. 1 in a non-activated basic position of the rollover airbags,

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the structure of FIG. 2 in the activated state of the rollover airbags,

Fig. 4 is a schematic alternative embodiment of a headliner with an airbag divided into several chambers, and

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of a further alternative embodiment of a rollover airbag.

In Fig. 1 a plan view is shown on a vehicle roof 1 of a motor vehicle 2 schematically. This vehicle roof 1 comprises, as can also be seen in particular from FIG. 2, which shows a section along the line AA of FIG. 1, a roof skin 3 and a headliner 4 which can be detachably connected via clip elements (not shown here ) and which connects the roof skin 3 Vehicle interior 5 covers out.

The headliner 4 here also forms the safety device and is constructed from a carrier plate 6 , which is preferably made of a plastic material, on the carrier plate underside pointing toward the vehicle interior 5 , for example a front passenger rollover airbag 7 and a rear passenger rollover airbag 8 in here folded over a large area of FIG. unactivated state shown in Figure 2, that is, in the folded state over substantially a rear passenger area 14 and a front passenger area 13 extending arranged.

As shown only extremely schematically in FIG. 1, a gas generator 9 is assigned to the front occupant rollover airbag 7 and a gas generator 10 is assigned to the rear occupant rollover airbag 8 , which are also integrally formed with the roof lining 4 , so that the roof lining 4 is a simple one and is quickly connected to the roof skin 3 headliner assembly unit. As a connection means here. B. conventional clip elements used. As gas generators 9 , 10 z. B. Cold gas generators used.

The gas generator 9 assigned to the front occupant rollover airbag 7 is seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on a front central headlining edge region 11 , for. B. in the region of an upper windshield cross member, while the gas generator 10 assigned to the rear passenger rollover airbag 8 is seen in the vehicle longitudinal direction on a rear central headlining edge region 12 , for. B. is arranged in the region of an upper rear window cross member.

The headliner 4 further comprises a fabric layer 15 which is stretched towards the vehicle interior 5 via the two airbags 7 , 8 or glued to the airbag fabric.

Each of the two gas generators 9 , 10 is coupled to a rollover sensor device (not shown here) and to a device for detecting the seat occupancy. With such a rollover sensor device, an impending or actual rollover of motor vehicle 2 is detected and the two airbag modules are activated by igniting gas generators 9 , 10 . With the device for detecting the seat occupancy, it is recognized and detected whether a seating area, eg. B. the rear passenger area 14 is occupied by seat users, so that in the event of a sensed rollover, only the gas generator 9 , which is assigned to the front passenger rollover airbag 7 , may be activated.

In the activated state, gas is blown into the rollover airbags 7 , 8 via the gas generators 9 , 10 , as a result of which they unfold essentially downward in the direction of the vehicle interior 5 , as is shown schematically and by way of example in FIG. 3. As a result of this increase in volume, the fabric layer 15 is torn open in the edge regions of the rollover airbag 7 , 8 in order to enable its rapid deployment. For this purpose, predetermined tear lines not shown in detail are preferably provided.

For long standing times, the rollover airbags 7 , 8 can be made here without outflow openings or from a gas-impermeable fabric.

With such a rollover airbag 7 , 8 inflated in the vehicle interior 5 , immediate, effective impact protection is possible during a rollover, in which the contact forces in the event of an actual impact on the vehicle roof 1 can be considerably reduced via the rollover airbags 7 , 8 .

An alternative construction of a rollover airbag 16 is shown schematically in FIG. 4. The rollover airbag 16 is divided here into individual airbag chambers 17 , which are connected to one another by overflow openings 18 . This can reduce the risk of the head striking.

Finally, FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a rollover airbag 19 which has both a front occupant airbag region 20 covering the front occupant region 13 over a large area and a rear occupant airbag region 21 covering the rear occupant region 14 over a large area. B. are connected by three tubular connecting pieces 22 , 23 and 24 , which results in an advantageous volume reduction in the less impact-critical area between the front occupant area 13 and the rear occupant area 14 . This rollover airbag 19 is part of an airbag module, which also comprises a gas generator 26 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle as viewed in the longitudinal direction of a rear central roof lining edge region 25 of the roof lining 4 . The construction and the mode of operation here correspond to that as is explained in more detail in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3, so that this will not be discussed in more detail.

In principle, it is also conceivable for each individual seat in motor vehicle 2 to be assigned its own rollover airbag, but this is not shown here. The gas generators 9 , 10 should in principle be arranged in the roof area in such a way that they pose no danger to the occupants.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vehicle roof

2

motor vehicle

3

roof

4

headliner

5

Vehicle interior

6

support plate

7

Front occupant rollover airbag

8th

Fond occupant rollover airbag

9

inflator

10

inflator

11

front headlining edge area

12

rear roof lining area

13

Front passenger area

14

Fond passenger area

15

fabric layer

16

Rollover airbag

17

airbag chamber

18

overflow

19

Rollover airbag

20

Front passenger airbag area

21

Rear passengers airbag area

22

joint

23

joint

24

joint

25

rear roof lining area

26

inflator

Claims (19)

1.Vehicle roof, in particular for a motor vehicle, with a roof skin and a roof lining which can be connected to it and which covers the roof skin towards the vehicle interior, and with at least one airbag module as a safety device which comprises at least one rollover airbag with at least one gas generator associated therewith, the at least one rollover airbag of an occupant seating area, where a vehicle rollover as an impact protection in the roof region above at least inflatable characterized in that the roof lining (4) comprises a support plate (6) on which in the mounted state of the roof lining (4) for the vehicle interior facing carrier plate underside of at least a rollover airbag ( 7 , 8 ; 16 ; 19 ) is arranged folded in the non-activated basic state, so that the at least one rollover airbag ( 7 , 8 ; 16 ; 19 ) in the event of a vehicle rollover in the vehicle interior ( 5 ) in the area below the roof lining ( 4 ) preferably large is inflatable. 2. Vehicle roof according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one rollover airbag ( 7 , 8 ; 16 ; 19 ) is folded over the area to be covered over a large area in the non-activated state such that when the at least one rollover airbag ( 7 , 8 ; 16 ; 19 ) unfolds essentially downwards in the direction of the vehicle interior ( 5 ). 3. Vehicle roof according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the at least one rollover airbag ( 7 , 8 ; 16 ; 19 ) associated gas generators ( 9 , 10 ; 26 ), preferably cold gas generators, of the at least one airbag module to form a headliner Assembly unit are also arranged on the support plate ( 6 ) of the headliner ( 4 ). 4. Vehicle roof according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the at least one gas generator ( 9 , 10 ) remote from the headliner on the vehicle body, preferably in the area of an A pillar and / or a B pillar and / or a C pillar and / or a trunk is arranged and connected to the or the associated airbags via a hose and / or a gas lance. 5. The vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a front occupant rollover airbag ( 7 ) covering a large area covering a front occupant area ( 13 ) and a rear occupant rollover airbag ( 8 ) covering a large area covering the rear occupant area ( 14 ) are provided in the activated state , 6. The vehicle roof according to claim 5, characterized in that the front occupant rollover airbag ( 7 ) is seen in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the front headlining edge area ( 11 ) arranged gas generator ( 9 ) and the rear occupant rollover airbag ( 8 ) is seen in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the rear headlining edge area ( 12 ) arranged gas generator ( 10 ) is assigned, which are preferably arranged centrally on the respective headliner edge area ( 11 , 12 ). 7. Vehicle roof according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a single rollover airbag ( 19 ) covering both a front occupant area ( 13 ) and a rear occupant area ( 14 ) is provided, which preferably is seen in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the front or rear headlining edge area ( 25 ) is preferably assigned to a gas generator ( 26 ) arranged in the center. 8. The vehicle roof according to claim 7, characterized in that the rollover airbag ( 19 ) comprises a front occupant airbag region ( 20 ) covering the front occupant region ( 13 ) over a large area and a rear occupant airbag region ( 21 ) covering the rear occupant region ( 14 ) over a large area, which by at least a tubular connecting piece ( 22 , 23 , 24 ) are connected to one another. 9. Vehicle roof according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a rollover airbag is assigned to each seat in the vehicle.   10. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier plate ( 6 ) is made of a plastic material and / or at least in regions of an energy absorption material. 11. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one rollover airbag ( 7 , 8 ; 16 ; 19 ) to the vehicle interior ( 5 ) by means of a fabric layer ( 15 ) is shielded such that the fabric layer ( 15 ) by the inflating rollover airbag ( 7 , 8 ; 16 ; 19 ) tears open along the airbag edge areas at predetermined tear lines. 12. Vehicle roof according to claim 11, characterized in that the fabric layer ( 15 ), preferably a fabric layer, is glued to the airbag fabric. 13. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that a rollover sensor device for detecting a impending or actual vehicle rollover is provided with the at least one airbag module is coupled and activated if necessary. 14. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that a device for detecting the seat occupancy is provided with an activation of the airbag modules depending on the Seat allocation is feasible. 15. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one rollover airbag ( 16 ) is divided into at least two airbag chambers ( 17 ) which are connected to one another by overflow openings ( 18 ). 16. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one rollover airbag ( 7 , 8 ; 16 ; 19 ) has no outflow openings and / or is made from a gas-impermeable fabric. 17. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one rollover airbag ( 7 , 8 ; 16 ; 19 ) additionally covers a side roof frame and / or a sunroof cutout in the inflated state. 18. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the headliner ( 4 ) can be fixed as a mounting unit with clip elements and / or screw elements on the roof skin ( 3 ). 19. Vehicle roof according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in addition to the at least one rollover airbag ( 7 , 8 ; 16 ; 19 ) at least one further airbag, preferably arranged on the edge, preferably a side airbag and / or an interaction airbag and / or a front window airbag and / or a rear impact airbag, which is arranged on the carrier plate ( 6 ) and which, if appropriate, is also arranged integrally on the carrier plate ( 6 ) together with the corresponding gas generator (s).