Aufprallschutzvorrichtung gegen seitliche Stösse.

摘要

An inflatable protective system provides cushioning for an occupant (114) of a vehicle during side impact of the vehicle by another object. The system includes an inflatable bag (70) that is attached to a mounting plate (40), which extends over the lower section of a side panel assembly (20) of the vehicle. The inflatable bag (70) includes an upper portion foldable into a stowed position facing the occupant's thorax when seated on the seat (116). An inclined guide pad (52) may be provided on the upper portion of the mounting plate (40) for directing the upper portion of the bag (70) toward the occupant (114) and away from the window (22) of the side panel assembly (20) during deployment. A deployment envelope (76) including at least one sheet of bearing material (75) and at least one sheet of friction reducing material (74) is sandwiched between the bag (70) and a cushioning panel (38), which is detachably connected to an inner side of the side panel assembly (20), to enhance the smooth deployment of the bag (70). An inflator (80) responsive to an actuating signal indicative of an impact against the side panel assembly (20) inflates the lower portion of the bag (70), which expands laterally toward the occupant (114) to form a shock absorbent cushion and barrier for restraining the occupant's body from moving into the side panel assembly (20). The entire cushioning panel (38) is propelled across the lateral spacing between the side panel assembly (20) and the seat (116) toward the occupant (114) to make initial cushioned contact with the seat (116) and the occupant (114) and to initiate lateral movement of the occupant (114) away from the side panel assembly (20). The lateral expansion of the lower portion of the bag (70) opens accordion-like pleats (112) folded in the upper portion of the bag (70) and permits the upper and lower bag portions to simultaneously reach their fully inflated positions.