U.S. patent application number 10/904845 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-01 for vehicle seat side air bag system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lear Corporation. Invention is credited to Michael L. Tracht.
Application Number | 20060113765 10/904845 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35685815 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060113765 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tracht; Michael L. |
June 1, 2006 |
VEHICLE SEAT SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM
Abstract
A side air bag restraint sub-assembly is disposed in a cavity in
a vehicle seat. A reinforcement panel is secured to either the
inflator bolts or the seat fame on one edge. The opposite edge of
the reinforcement panel is sewn to a hem on one side of a tear
seam.
Inventors: |
Tracht; Michael L.;
(Ingolstadt, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C. / LEAR CORPORATION
1000 TOWN CENTER
TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075-1238
US
|
Assignee: |
Lear Corporation
21557 Telegraph Road
Southfield
MI
|
Family ID: |
35685815 |
Appl. No.: |
10/904845 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/730.2 ;
280/728.2; 280/728.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 21/2176 20130101;
B60R 21/207 20130101; B60R 21/2165 20130101; B60R 2021/23146
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/730.2 ;
280/728.2; 280/728.3 |
International
Class: |
B60R 21/207 20060101
B60R021/207 |
Claims
1. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising: a frame; a pad formed of a
shaped foam polymer material, the pad defining a pocket; a air bag
restraint sub-assembly being placed in the pocket and assembled to
the frame, the restraint sub-assembly having a housing in which an
air bag and an inflator are received, the housing having a split
line that splits a wall of the housing, wherein upon inflation of
the air bag by the inflator, the air bag is deployed through the
split line; a trim cover assembled to the pad that substantially
encloses the frame, the pad and the restraint sub-assembly, the
trim cover having a tear seam that opens when the air bag is
deployed; a reinforcement panel extends partially around at least
one side of the housing and between the housing and the trim cover,
the reinforcement panel is held in engagement with the frame by the
inflator, wherein the reinforcement panel is secured to a single
side of the trim cover at the tear seam, the reinforcement panel
resisting elastic deformation of the trim cover when the air bag is
deployed and channeling the air bag during deployment toward the
tear seam.
2. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 further comprising a
reinforcement layer secured to the pad adjacent to the pocket, the
pocket having at least one wall extending from an outer surface of
the pad and into the pocket adjacent to the restraint sub-assembly,
wherein the reinforcement panel overlies the reinforcement layer
and the air bag is channeled between the reinforcement panel and
the reinforcement layer during deployment toward the tear seam.
3. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 2 wherein the reinforcement
layer is made of a fleece material that is molded in situ into the
pad.
4. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the inflator is
secured to the frame by at least one bolt and is retained on the
frame by a nut, and wherein the reinforcement panel has at least
one hole through which the bolt of the inflator is received to
secure the reinforcement panel to the frame.
5. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the tear seam is
formed by two doubled back edges of the trim cover material that
are sewn together by a tear seam stitch, the reinforcement panel
being sewn to one of the doubled back edges of the trim cover.
6. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the restraint
subassembly is a side air bag module and the pocket is located in
an outboard wall of a seat back portion of the vehicle seat.
7. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement
panel is a flexible, relatively inelastic sheet of material that is
less elastic than the trim cover.
8. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement
panel is sewn to the trim cover.
9. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising: a frame; a pad formed of a
shaped foam polymer material, the pad defining a pocket; a air bag
restraint sub-assembly being placed in the pocket and assembled to
the frame, the restraint sub-assembly having a housing in which an
air bag and an inflator are received, the housing having a split
line, wherein upon inflation of the air bag by the inflator, the
air bag is deployed through the split line; a trim cover assembled
to the pad that substantially encloses the frame, the pad and the
restraint sub-assembly, the trim cover having a tear seam that
opens when the air bag is deployed; a reinforcement panel extends
partially around at least one side of the housing and between the
housing and a wall of the pocket, the reinforcement panel being
held in engagement with the frame by the inflator, wherein the
reinforcement panel is secured to the trim cover at a location near
the tear seam, the reinforcement panel protecting the pad when the
air bag is deployed and channeling the air bag during deployment
across the reinforcement panel between the trim cover and the
reinforcement panel toward the tear seam.
10. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 9 wherein the inflator is
secured to the frame by at least one bolt and is retained on the
frame by a nut, and wherein the reinforcement panel has at least
one hole through which the bolt of the inflator is received to
secure the reinforcement panel to the frame.
11. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 9 wherein the tear seam is
formed by two doubled back edges of the trim cover material that
are sewn together by a tear seam stitch, the reinforcement panel
being sewn to one of the doubled back edges of the trim cover.
12. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 9 wherein the restraint
subassembly is a side air bag module and the pocket is located in
an outboard wall of a seat back portion of the vehicle seat.
13. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising: a frame; a pad formed of a
shaped foam polymer material, the pad defining a pocket; a air bag
restraint sub-assembly being placed in the pocket and assembled to
the frame, the restraint sub-assembly having a housing in which an
air bag and an inflator are received, the housing having a split
line, wherein upon inflation of the air bag by the inflator, the
air bag is deployed through the split line; a trim cover assembled
to the pad that substantially encloses the frame, the pad and the
restraint sub-assembly, the trim cover having a tear seam that
opens when the air bag is deployed; a reinforcement panel extending
partially around at least one side of the housing and between the
housing and the trim cover, the reinforcement panel being held in
engagement with the frame at a location that is spaced from the
restraint sub-assembly, wherein the reinforcement panel is secured
to the trim cover at a location near the tear seam, the
reinforcement panel resisting elastic deformation of the trim cover
when the air bag is deployed and channeling the air bag during
deployment toward the tear seam.
14. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 13 wherein the reinforcement
panel is sewn to the trim cover.
15. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 13 wherein the tear seam is
formed by two doubled back edges of the trim cover material that
are sewn together by a tear seam stitch, the reinforcement panel
being sewn to one of the doubled back edges of the trim cover.
16. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 13 wherein the restraint
subassembly is a side air bag module and the pocket is located in
an outboard wall of a seat back portion of the vehicle seat.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a system for a vehicle seat
mounted side air bag restraint.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Air bag restraint systems for a vehicle seat are used to
protect vehicle occupants in the event of a side impact. Air bag
restraint systems must deploy rapidly and predictably to be
effective. Vehicle seats generally include a rigid frame to which
urethane foam pads are secured. The seat is typically enveloped
within a cover made of vinyl, cloth or leather. An air bag module,
including an air bag and an inflator system, is secured to the seat
frame.
[0005] The softness and elasticity of covering materials and
urethane foam padding present problems for air bag deployment. As
the air bag deploys, it must be channeled so that the air bag
deploys through an air bag tear seam in the seat cover material.
The elasticity of the seat cover material allows the air bag to
expand and cause the seat cover material to bulge. This may
increase air bag deployment time and result in variability in air
bag deployment location. The resiliency and tendency of the foam
material to deform or fragment is another problem that must be
solved.
[0006] One attempt to solve the above problems is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,045,151 to Wu that employs a force concentrator that at
least partially surrounds the folded air bag and concentrates or
directs the force of the inflating air bag to the intended
deployment site. The force concentrator avoids application of air
bag deployment forces on the trim cover material to reduce the
influence of the trim cover on air bag deployment. The force
concentrator is an inelastic structure that surrounds or at least
partially surrounds the air bag in an air bag module. This patent
requires two panels to form the force concentrator. The use of two
panels complicates assembly and may require that multiple pieces be
joined together by seams. The Wu patent also discloses that a
single panel may work on only one side of the deployment seam, but
states that it must be verified that the addition of the
concentrator does not induce trim cover failure elsewhere.
[0007] Applicant's invention is directed to solving the above
problems as summarized below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle
seat assembly is provided that comprises a frame and a pad formed
of a shaped structural foam material. The pad defines a pocket for
receiving an air bag restraint sub-assembly that is assembled to
the frame. The restraint sub-assembly has a housing in which an air
bag and an inflator are received. The housing has a split line that
functions as a stress riser in a wall of the housing. Upon
inflation of the air bag by the inflator, the air bag is deployed
through the split line. A trim cover is assembled to the pad and
substantially encloses the frame, the pad, and the restraint
sub-assembly. The trim cover has a tear seam that opens when the
air bag is deployed. A reinforcement panel extends partially around
at least one side of the housing and between the housing and the
trim cover. The reinforcement panel is held in engagement with the
frame by the inflator. The reinforcement panel is secured to a
single side of the trim cover at the tear seam. The reinforcement
panel resists elastic deformation of the trim cover when the air
bag is deployed and channels the air bag during deployment toward
the tear seam.
[0009] According to other aspects of the invention, a reinforcement
layer may be secured to the pad adjacent to the pocket. The pocket
has at least one wall that extends from an outer surface of the pad
and into the pocket adjacent to the restraint sub-assembly. The
reinforcement panel overlies the reinforcement layer. The air bag
is channeled during deployment between the reinforcement panel and
the reinforcement layer toward the tear seam. The reinforcement
layer may be made of a fleece material that is molded in situ into
the foam forming mold when the pad is formed.
[0010] According to other aspects of the invention, the inflator
may be secured to the frame by at least one bolt that is retained
on the frame by a nut. The reinforcement panel has at least one
hole through which a the bolt of the inflator is received to secure
the reinforcement panel to the frame.
[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the tear seam
is formed by two doubled back edges of the trim cover material that
are sewn together by a tear seam stitch. The reinforcement panel is
sewn to one of the doubled back edges of the trim cover.
[0012] According to other aspects of the invention, the restraint
sub-assembly is a side air bag module and the pocket is located on
the outboard wall of the seat back portion of the vehicle seat. The
reinforcement panel may be a flexible, inelastic sheet of material
that is less elastic than the trim cover. The reinforcement panel
may be sewn to the trim cover.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
vehicle seat assembly is provided that comprises a frame and a pad
formed of a shaped structural foam material. The pad defines a
pocket in which an air bag restraint sub-assembly is placed. The
air bag restraint sub-assembly has a housing in which an air bag
and an inflator are received and which is assembled to the frame.
The housing has a split line that functions as a stress riser. Upon
inflation of the air bag by the inflator, the air bag is deployed
through the housing of the split line. A trim cover is assembled to
the pad and substantially encloses the frame, the pad, and the
restraint sub-assembly. The trim cover has a tear seam that opens
when the air bag is deployed. A reinforcement panel extends
partially around at least one side of the housing and between the
housing and a wall of the pocket. The reinforcement panel is held
in engagement with the frame by the inflator. The reinforcement
panel is secured to the trim cover at a location near the tear
seam. The reinforcement panel protects the pad when the air bag is
deployed and channels the air bag during deployment. The air bag is
directed to deploy between reinforcement panel and the foam
reinforcement toward the tear seam.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
vehicle seat assembly is provided that comprises a frame and a pad
formed in the shape of a structural foam material that defines a
pocket. An air bag restraint sub-assembly is placed in the pocket
and assembled to the frame. The restraint sub-assembly has a
housing in which an air bag and an inflator are received. The
housing has a split line through which the air bag is deployed upon
inflation of the air bag by the inflator. A trim cover is assembled
to the pad that substantially encloses the frame, the pad, and the
restraint sub-assembly. The trim cover has a tear seam that opens
when the air bag is deployed. A reinforcement panel extends
partially around at least one side of the housing between the
housing and the trim cover. The reinforcement panel is held in
engagement with the frame in a location that is spaced from the
restraint sub-assembly. The reinforcement panel is secured to the
trim cover at a location near the tear seam. The reinforcement
panel resists elastic deformation of the trim cover when the air
bag is deployed and channels the air bag during deployment toward
the tear seam.
[0015] Other aspects of the present invention will be better
understood in view of the attached drawings and following detailed
description of several embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the interior of
a vehicle having a seat that is provided with a side air bag that
is shown during deployment;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a vehicle
seat having a side air bag module and a reinforcement panel made in
accordance with one aspect of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a tear seam
to which a reinforcement panel is shown according to one embodiment
of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a reinforcement panel made
according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a vehicle
seat having a side air bag module made according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a vehicle
seat having a side air bag module made according to another
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a tear seam
to which a reinforcement panel is sewn according to one embodiment
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 1, a seat 10 for vehicle 12 is shown
with a side air bag 14 during deployment. The side air bag 14 is
deployed in the event of a side impact to the vehicle 12. The side
air bag 14 is deployed between the seat 10 and adjacent side of the
vehicle 12 which is in most instances a vehicle door.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, the seat 10 is shown to comprise a
frame 16 to which foam pads 18 are secured to form the seat
structure. An air bag module 20 is received in the pocket 22
defined by adjacent foam pads 18. The air bag module 20 has a
housing 24 in which the air bag 14 is received in a folded manner.
An inflator 26 is a pyrotechnic device disposed within the housing
24 for rapidly inflating the air bag 14 in the event of a side
impact. As the air bag 14 is inflated by the inflator 22, it
separates the housing 24 at a split line 28. A butterfly hinge 30
may be provided generally on the opposite side of the housing 24
from the split line 28. The hinge 30 permits the housing to open in
a controlled manner.
[0025] The air bag module 20 is secured to the frame 16 by inflator
bolts 32 that are secured to the frame by a nut 34 or other type of
fastener. A reinforcement panel 36 extends around the housing 24
generally from the inflator bolts 32 behind the housing and between
a foam pad 18 and the air bag module 20 on one side. The panel 36
is preferably formed of a flexible but relatively inelastic fabric
such as a nylon fabric or Tyvek or other material that is similar
to the material used to form the air bag 14. The panel 36 includes
holes 38 through which bolts 32 of the inflator 26 extend. The edge
of the panel 36 through which the holes 38 extend may be referred
to as the anchoring edge 40 of the reinforcement panel 36.
[0026] The seat 10 is enclosed in a cover 42 that covers the foam
pads 18 and air bag module 20. The anchoring edge 40 is anchored
between the air bag module 20 and the frame 16 as the seat 10 is
assembled. The panel 36 extends from the inflator bolts 32 at the
anchoring edge 40 behind the housing 22 and between the housing 24
and the foam pad 18. The panel 36 further extends to a cover or
fixed edge 44 that is turned back on itself and is sewn to the
cover 42 and is more specifically described with reference to FIG.
3 below. A cover flap 46 extends over the outer side of the air bag
module 20. The cover flap is designed to open when the air bag 14
is deployed. The cover flap 16 is intended to open initially at a
tear seam 48. The panel 36 is disposed between the module 20 and
the cover 42.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, tear seam 48 is shown in greater
detail. The reinforcement panel 36 is secured at a cover affixed
reversely turned edge 44 to a panel hem 50. The cover flap 46
terminates at a flap hem 52. The panel hem 50 including the
reversely turned edge 44 and flap hem 52 are secured together by
means of tear stitches 54 that are constructed to tear in
preferential manner before cover 42 or cover flap 46 will split
under the pressure applied by the air bag 14 during deployment.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, the structure and shape of one
embodiment of a reinforcement panel 36 is shown prior to being
assembled to the air bag module 20. The panel 36 has holes 38 near
the anchoring edge 40 and the panel hem 50, as shown adjacent the
cover affixed edge 44. A trim cut-out 58 is shown in the lower
corner of the panel. The trim cut-out 58 provides clearance for
cables or wiring to the air bag module.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the
present invention is shown in which a reinforcement panel 60
extends across the outer side of the air bag module 20. The panel
60 has holes 62 near an anchoring edge 64. The holes 62 receive the
inflator bolts 32 and is secured by nuts 34 as previously described
with reference to FIG. 2. The panel 60 extends between the air bag
module 20 and the cover 66. A cover flap 68 is defined where the
cover 66 extends across the outer side of the air bag module 20. A
cover flap 68 extends to a flap hem 70 that forms one part of the
tear seam 72. A cover hem 76 together with the flap hem 70 are
connected to form the tear seam 72.
[0030] A molded in situ foam reinforcement 78 is provided on a
corner of the foam pad 18 adjacent the air bag module 20. The
reinforcement 78 may be a fleece fabric that is laid in the mold
when the foam pad 18 is formed.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 6, yet another alternative embodiment of
the invention is shown wherein a panel 80 is sewn to a portion of a
cover 82. The panel 80 is secured by a retainer clip 84 to a
portion of the frame 16 of the seat 10. The panel 80 extends
between the cover 82 and the foam pad 18. The panel 80 extends
across the pocket 22 in which the air bag module 20 is received.
The portion of the cover 82 extending across the pocket 22 is
referred to as a cover flap 86. The panel 80 is preferably sewn to
the cover 82 to reinforce the cover and prevent the cover from
bulging when the air bag 14 deploys. The cover flap 86 terminates
in a flap hem 90. The cover 82 terminates in cover hem 76 as
previously described with reference to FIG. 5. The flap hem 90 and
cover hem 76 are secured together to form a tear seam 88.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 7, the tear seam 88 is shown in greater
detail. Tear stitches 92 are secured between the flap hem 90 and
cover hem 94. The tear stitches 92 hold the cover flap 86 in
position, as shown in FIG. 6, until the air bag 14 is deployed.
Tear stitches 92 are intended to tear in a preferential manner so
that the air bag 14 deploys through the tear seam 88 in a
predictable manner.
[0033] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *