U.S. patent application number 17/019427 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-17 for side airbag assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to S.M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi.
Application Number | 20220080915 17/019427 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220080915 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Faruque; Mohammad Omar ; et
al. |
March 17, 2022 |
SIDE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A restraint system includes a seat defining a lateral axis and
an airbag housing supported by the seat. The airbag housing
includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is fixed
relative to the seat, and the second arm is rotatable relative to
the seat about a rotational axis generally parallel to the lateral
axis. An airbag extends from the first arm to the second arm. The
airbag is fixed to the first arm and the second arm.
Inventors: |
Faruque; Mohammad Omar; (Ann
Arbor, MI) ; Farooq; S.M. Iskander; (Novi, MI)
; Jaradi; Dean M.; (Macomb, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ford Global Technologies,
LLC
Dearborn
MI
|
Appl. No.: |
17/019427 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2020 |
International
Class: |
B60R 21/207 20060101
B60R021/207; B60R 21/231 20060101 B60R021/231; B60R 21/2338
20060101 B60R021/2338 |
Claims
1. A restraint system comprising: a seat defining a lateral axis;
an airbag housing supported by the seat, the airbag housing
including a first arm and a second arm; the first arm being fixed
relative to the seat and the second arm being rotatable relative to
the seat about a rotational axis generally parallel to the lateral
axis; and an airbag extending from the first arm to the second arm,
the airbag being fixed to the first arm and the second arm.
2. The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality
of external tethers extending from the first arm to the second arm
when the airbag is in an inflated position.
3. The restraint system of claim 2, wherein the airbag is disposed
between the seat and at least some of the plurality of external
tethers in the inflated position.
4. The restraint system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of
external tethers are attached to the first arm, the second arm, and
the airbag, the external tethers are under tension between the
first and second arms when the airbag is in the inflated
position.
5. The restraint system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of
external tethers are a reaction surface for the airbag in the
inflated position.
6. The restraint system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of
external tethers are fabric.
7. The restraint system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of
external tethers are uninflatable.
8. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the
second arm each include an end spaced from the rotational axis, the
airbag is fixed to the end of the first arm and the end of the
second arm.
9. The restraint system of claim 8, wherein the airbag is fixed
along the first arm from the second arm to the end of the first arm
and along the second arm from the first arm to the end of the
second arm.
10. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the second arm is
rotatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position as a
result of the airbag inflating.
11. The restraint system of claim 10, wherein the second arm
extends along the first arm in the undeployed position, and the
second arm extends transverse to the first arm in the deployed
position.
12. The restraint system of claim 11, wherein the first and second
arms each include an end, the end of the second arm being spaced
from the end of the first arm in the undeployed position.
13. The restraint system of claim 10, wherein the second arm and
the seat lock with each other in a fixed position when the second
arm is in the deployed position.
14. The restraint system of claim 13, wherein the second arm
include a bar rotatable relative to the second arm when the second
arm rotates relative to the seat to the deployed position.
15. The restraint system of claim 14, wherein the seat includes a
bracket, the bar is engaged with the bracket when the second arm
and the seat are locked with each other in the fixed position.
16. The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising an inflator
in fluid communication with the airbag, the inflator is fixed to
the seat and spaced from the housing.
17. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the seat includes a
seatback defining an occupant seating area and a seat bottom
supporting the seatback, the airbag and the second arm being
adjacent to the seat bottom when the airbag is in the inflated
position and the airbag extends from the second arm along the
occupant seating area in an inflated position.
18. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the seat includes a
seatback, the first arm is fixed to the seatback.
19. The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a hinge
between the first arm and the second arm.
20. The restraint system of claim 19, wherein the hinge is a
locking hinge.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Vehicles are typically equipped with airbags. In the event
of certain impacts, inflators activate and provide inflation medium
to the airbags, and the airbags pressurize and act as supplemental
restraints for occupants during the impact. The airbags are located
at various fixed positions in passenger cabins of vehicles.
Vehicles may include a driver airbag mounted in the steering wheel,
a passenger airbag mounted in the top of the dash in a
vehicle-forward direction from the front passenger seat, and side
curtain airbags mounted in the roof rails above the doors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example vehicle including
a seat supporting an airbag in an uninflated position.
[0003] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat including the
airbag in the uninflated position.
[0004] FIGS. 3A-3B are perspective views of the seat including the
airbag in the inflated position.
[0005] FIG. 3C is a side view of the seat including the airbag in
the inflated position.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an inflation system of the
vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] A restraint system includes a seat defining a lateral axis
and an airbag housing supported by the seat. The airbag housing
includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is fixed
relative to the seat and the second arm is rotatable relative to
the seat about a rotational axis generally parallel to the lateral
axis. An airbag extends from the first arm to the second arm. The
airbag is fixed to the first arm and the second arm.
[0008] The restraint system may include a plurality of external
tethers extending from the first arm to the second arm when the
airbag is in an inflated position.
[0009] The airbag may be disposed between the seat and at least
some of the plurality of external tethers in the inflated
position.
[0010] The plurality of external tethers may be attached to the
first arm, the second arm, and the airbag. The external tethers may
be under tension between the first and second arms when the airbag
is in the inflated position.
[0011] The plurality of external tethers may be a reaction surface
for the airbag in the inflated position.
[0012] The plurality of external tethers may be fabric.
[0013] The plurality of external tethers may be uninflatable.
[0014] The first arm and the second arm each may include an end
spaced from the rotational axis. The airbag may be fixed to the end
of the first arm and the end of the second arm.
[0015] The airbag may be fixed along the first arm from the second
arm to the end of the first arm and along the second arm from the
first arm to the end of the second arm.
[0016] The second arm may be rotatable from an undeployed position
to a deployed position as a result of the airbag inflating.
[0017] The second arm may extend along the first arm in the
undeployed position. The second arm may extend transverse to the
first arm in the deployed position.
[0018] The first and second arms may each include an end. The end
of the second arm may be spaced from the end of the first arm in
the undeployed position.
[0019] The second arm and the seat may lock with each other in a
fixed position when the second arm is in the deployed position.
[0020] The second arm may include a bar rotatable relative to the
second arm when the second arm rotates relative to the seat to the
deployed position.
[0021] The seat may include a bracket. The bar may be engaged with
the bracket when the second arm and the seat are locked with each
other in the fixed position.
[0022] The restraint system may include an inflator in fluid
communication with the airbag. The inflator may be fixed to the
seat and spaced from the housing.
[0023] The seat may include a seatback defining an occupant seating
area and a seat bottom supporting the seatback. The airbag and the
second arm may be adjacent to the seat bottom when the airbag is in
the inflated position, and the airbag may extend from the second
arm along the occupant seating area in an inflated position.
[0024] The seat may include a seatback. The first arm may be fixed
to the seatback.
[0025] The restraint system may include a hinge between the first
arm and the second arm. The hinge may be a locking hinge.
[0026] With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals
indicate like parts throughout the several views, a vehicle 10 is
generally shown. The vehicle 10 includes a restraint system 12
having a seat 14 defining a lateral axis A and an airbag housing 16
supported by the seat 14. The airbag housing 16 includes a first
arm 18 and a second arm 20. The first arm 18 is fixed relative to
the seat 14, and the second arm 20 is rotatable relative to the
seat 14 about a rotational axis R generally parallel to the lateral
axis A. An airbag 22 extends from the first arm 18 to the second
arm 20. The airbag 22 is fixed to the first arm 18 and the second
arm 20.
[0027] The vehicle 10 may lack components, e.g., a center console,
alongside the seat 14, e.g., to allow occupants to move within the
vehicle 10. In other words, the vehicle 10 may lack a reaction
surface alongside the seat 14 for the airbag 22. During a vehicle
impact, the airbag 22 may be inflated from an uninflated position,
as shown in FIGS. 1-2, to an inflated position, as shown in FIGS.
3A-3C. During the vehicle impact, an occupant of the seat 14 may be
forced into the airbag 22 in the inflated position. The airbag 22
may provide coverage so as to control the kinematics of the
occupant, e.g., a torso of the occupant. By being fixed to the
first arm 18 and the second arm 20, the airbag 22 may increase the
likelihood that the airbag 22 provides coverage to control the
kinematics of the occupant regardless of whether another component
is adjacent to the seat 14 to provide a reaction surface for the
airbag 22.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 may be any type of
passenger or commercial automobile such as a car, a truck, a sport
utility vehicle, a crossover, a van, a minivan, a taxi, a bus, etc.
The vehicle 10, for example, may be an autonomous vehicle. In other
words, the vehicle 10 may be autonomously operated such that the
vehicle 10 may be driven without constant attention from a driver,
i.e., the vehicle 10 may be self-driving without human input.
[0029] The vehicle 10 includes a body 24 defining a passenger cabin
(not numbered) to house occupants, if any, of the vehicle 10. The
body 24 may include a roof (not numbered) and a floor 26 with the
roof defining an upper boundary of the passenger cabin and the
floor 26 defining a lower boundary of the passenger cabin. The body
24 includes doors openable to allow ingress to and egress from the
passenger cabin.
[0030] The passenger cabin may extend across the vehicle 10, i.e.,
from one side to the other side of the vehicle 10. The passenger
cabin includes a front end (not numbered) and a rear end (not
numbered) with the front end being in front of the rear end during
forward movement of the vehicle 10. The passenger cabin includes
one or more seats 14. The seats 14 may be arranged in any suitable
arrangement. For example, one or more of the seats 14 may be at the
front end of the passenger cabin, i.e., a front seat, and/or one or
more of the seats 14 may be at the rear end of the passenger cabin,
i.e., a rear seat.
[0031] With reference to the Figures, each seat 14 may include a
seatback 28 and a seat bottom 30. The seatback 28 may be supported
by the seat bottom 30 and may be stationary or movable relative to
the seat bottom 30. The seatback 28 and the seat bottom 30 may be
adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom. Specifically, the
seatback 28 and the seat bottom 30 may themselves be adjustable, in
other words, adjustable components within the seatback 28 and/or
the seat bottom 30 may be adjustable relative to each other.
[0032] Each seat 14 defines a lateral axis A and a vertical axis V
transverse to the lateral axis A. Each seat includes two sides 32,
34 spaced from each other along the lateral axis A. The sides 32,
34 extend along the seatback 28 and the seat bottom 30. The sides
32, 34 may support an occupant laterally relative to the seat 14.
As one example, one of the sides 32, 34 may be an outboard side 32,
and the other of the sides 32, 34 may be an inboard side 34 (with
"inboard" and "outboard" referring to the relative position of the
sides in a cross-vehicle direction). In such an example, the
outboard side 32 is between the inboard side 34 of the seat 14 and
the adjacent door.
[0033] As shown in the Figures, the seat bottom 30 includes a front
end 36 and a back end 38. The seatback 28 is at the back end 38.
The front end 36 is spaced from the back end 38 and the seatback
28. The seatback 28 extends across the seat bottom 30, e.g., from
one side 32 of the seat 14 to the other side 34 of the seat 14, at
the back end 38.
[0034] The seatback 28 includes a bottom 40 at the seat bottom 30
and a top 42 spaced from the bottom 40 and the seat bottom 30 along
the vertical axis V of the seat 14. For example, the top 42 may
support a head restraint (not numbered), i.e., be disposed between
the head restraint and the seat bottom 30. The seatback 28 includes
a front 44 that faces an occupant seating area 46 of the seat 14.
The occupant seating area 46 is the area occupied by an occupant
when seated on the seat bottom 30.
[0035] With continued reference to FIG. 1, each seat 14 defines a
seat-forward direction D1. The seat-forward direction D1 extends
forward relative to the seat 14. For example, the seat-forward
direction D1 may extend from a rear of the seat 14 to a front of
the seat 14 relative to an occupant of the seat 14, i.e., the
occupant of the seat 14 faces in the seat-forward direction D1. As
another example, the seat bottom 30 may extend from the seatback 28
in the seat-forward direction D1.
[0036] Each seat 14 is supported by the floor 26, as shown in FIG.
1. Each seat 14 may slide relative to the floor 26, e.g., in the
seat-forward direction D1 or a seat-backward direction. In such an
example, the seat 14 may be supported on a seat track (not shown)
to allow the seat 14 to move in the seat-forward direction D1 or
the seat-backward direction. The seat 14 may be selectively
slidable relative to the seat track. In other words, the occupant
may slide the seat 14 along the seat track and may secure the seat
14 to the seat track at selected position. For example, the
occupant may actuate a motor (not shown) that moves the seat 14
along the seat track. As another example, each seat 14 may be fixed
relative to the floor 26. In this situation, the seat 14 may be
immovable relative to the floor 26.
[0037] With reference to FIG. 2, the seat 14 includes a seat frame
48. The seat frame 48 may include panels and/or may include tubes,
beams, etc. The seat frame 48 may be formed of any suitable plastic
material, e.g., carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass
fiber-reinforced semi-finished thermoplastic composite
(organosheet), etc. Alternatively, for example, some or all
components of the frame may be formed of a suitable metal, e.g.,
steel or aluminum.
[0038] The seat 14 includes a covering 60 supported on the seat
frame 48. The covering 60 may be cloth, leather, faux leather, or
any other suitable material. The seat 14 may include padding
material between the covering 60 and the seat frame 48. The padding
material may be foam or any other suitable material. The cover may
be stitched in panels around the seat frame 48 and padding
material.
[0039] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the seat 14, e.g., the
covering 60, may include a tear seam 66. The tear seam 66 may be
disposed on one side 32, 34 of the seat 14. For example, the tear
seam 66 may be disposed on the inboard side 34 of the seat 14 and
adjacent to the airbag 22. Said differently, the airbag 22 may
extend through the tear seam 66 in the inflated position. The tear
seam 66 may have any suitable shape. For example, the tear seam 66
may have a linear shape, i.e., extending in a line along the seat
14.
[0040] The tear seam 66 may be designed to tear apart when
subjected to a tensile force above a threshold magnitude. In other
words, the covering on one side of the tear seam 66 separates from
the covering on the other side of the tear seam 66 when the force
is above the threshold magnitude. The threshold magnitude may be
chosen to be greater than forces from, e.g., inadvertent pushing
against the seat 14 by an occupant but be less than forces from the
deployment of the airbag 22. The tear seam 66 may be, for example,
a line of perforations through the covering, a line of thinner
covering material than the rest of the covering, etc.
[0041] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the restraint system 12
includes a side airbag assembly 68, which includes the airbag
housing 16, the airbag 22, and an inflator 50. The seat 14 may
support the side airbag assembly 68, and specifically, may support
the airbag 22 when the airbag 22 is in the inflated position. The
side airbag assembly 68 may be mounted to the seat 14, as discussed
further below. More than one side airbag assembly 68 may be
supported on the seat 14. For example, one side airbag assembly 68
may be supported on the inboard side 34 of the seat 14, as shown in
the Figures. As another example, one side airbag assembly 68 may be
supported on each side 32, 34 of the seat 14.
[0042] The airbag housing 16 houses the airbag 22 in the uninflated
position. In other words, the airbag 22 is enclosed between the
first arm 18 and the second arm 20 in the uninflated position, as
shown in FIG. 2. The airbag 22 may be folded and/or rolled in the
airbag housing 16 when the airbag 22 is in the uninflated position.
As described below, the airbag 22 expands from and is supported by
the airbag housing 16 as the airbag 22 inflates from the uninflated
position to the inflated position. The housing may be of any
suitable type and construction, e.g., a polymer, a composite, a
combination of rigid materials, etc.
[0043] The airbag housing 16 may include a joint 70 between the
first arm 18 and the second arm 20, as shown in the Figures. The
first arm 18 meets the second arm 20 at the joint 70. The joint 70
is a rotatable joint. In other words, the first and second arms 18,
20 are rotatably connected to each other at the joint 70. In such
an example, the joint 70 may define the rotational axis R. The
rotational axis R is generally parallel to the lateral axis A of
the seat 14. In this context, "generally" means that the rotation
axis R supports rotation of the first arm 18 along a side of the
occupant, e.g., inboard of the occupant seating area 46, even if
the rotational axis R deviates from parallel.
[0044] The joint 70 may, for example, be a hinge between the first
arm 18 and the second arm 20. The hinge may be a locking hinge. In
such examples, the locking hinge releasably retains the second arm
20 in the deployed position. The locking hinge includes a lock that
releasably engages the second arm 20 and the first arm 18 to
prevent relative rotation. The lock may be, for example, a spring,
a retractable pin, an electromagnet, etc.
[0045] The first arm 18 is mounted to the seatback 28, e.g., the
seat frame 48, as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the first arm 18
may include locating elements, fasteners, etc., that engage the
seatback 28. Additionally, or alternatively, fasteners may engage
the first arm 18 and the seatback 28 to mount the first arm 18 to
the seatback 28.
[0046] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the first arm 18
includes a proximal end 52 and a distal end 54 spaced from each the
proximal end 52. The joint 70 is disposed at the proximal end 52 of
the first arm 18. That is, the distal end 54 of the first arm 18 is
spaced from the rotational axis R. The first arm 18 is elongated
from the proximal end 52 to the distal end 54, e.g., along the
seatback 28. In other words, the longest dimension of the first arm
18 is from the proximal end 52 to the distal end 54.
[0047] The second arm 20 includes a proximal end 56 and a distal
end 58 spaced from the proximal end 56. The joint 70 may be
disposed at the proximal end 56 of the second arm 20. In other
words, the proximal ends 52, 56 of the first and second arms 18, 20
may be rotatably connected to each other via the joint 70. The
distal end 58 of the second arm 20 is spaced from the rotational
axis R. The distal end 58 of the second arm 20 is rotatable about
the rotational axis R.
[0048] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the second arm 20 is
elongated from the proximal end 56 to the distal end 58. In other
words, the longest dimension of the second arm 20 is from the
proximal end 56 to the distal end 58. The second arm 20 may be
elongated a different amount than the first arm 18. For example,
the ends 56, 58 of the second arm 20 may be spaced from each other
by an amount less than the ends 52, 54 of the first arm 18. In
other words, the second arm 20 may be shorter than the first arm
18.
[0049] The second arm 20 is rotatable relative to the first arm 18,
i.e., the seat 14, from an undeployed position, as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, to a deployed position, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, when the
airbag 22 inflates. In the undeployed position, the airbag housing
16, i.e., the first arm 18 and the second arm 20, may be disposed
in the seatback 28, e.g., between the covering 60 and the seat
frame 48. In other words, the covering 60 may cover the airbag
housing 16 when the second arm 20 is in the undeployed position. In
the undeployed position, the second arm 20 is elongated along the
first arm 18. The distal ends 54, 58 of the first and second arms
18, 20 may be spaced from each other when the second arm 20 is in
the undeployed position, as shown in FIG. 2. In the undeployed
position, the first arm 18 and the second arm 20 define a cavity
(not shown) therebetween that houses the airbag 22. As the airbag
22 inflates toward the inflated position, the second arm 20 rotates
about the rotational axis R thus breaking through the tear seam 66
and moving the second arm 20 to the deployed position. That is,
inflation of the airbag 22 forces the second arm 20 to rotate to
the deployed position.
[0050] In the deployed position, the second arm 20 and the airbag
22 may extend through the seatback 28, e.g., the tear seam 66
adjacent to the airbag housing 16. In the deployed position, the
second arm 20 is elongated transverse to the first arm 18.
Specifically, the first arm 18 is elongated along the seatback 28
and the second arm 20 is elongated along the seat bottom 30, i.e.,
in the seat-forward direction D1, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. In this
situation, the second arm 20 may extend outwardly from the seatback
28, e.g., in the seat-forward direction D1. In such an example, the
second arm 20 may be disposed adjacent to the seat bottom 30.
[0051] With reference to FIGS. 3A-3C, the second arm 20 and the
seat 14 may lock with each other in a fixed position when the
second arm 20 is in the deployed position. For example, the seat 14
may include a bracket 72, and the second arm 20 may include a bar
74 rotatable relative to the second arm 20. The bracket 72 may be
fixed to the seat bottom 30, e.g., between the front end 36 and the
back end 38 of the seat bottom 30. The bracket 72 may extend
inboard of the seat bottom 30, e.g., along the lateral axis A of
the seat 14. The bracket 72 may include a first side (not numbered)
extending along the seat bottom 30, a second side (not numbered)
spaced from the seat bottom 30, and a third side (not numbered)
extending from the first side to the second side along the lateral
axis A of the seat 14. In other words, the bracket 72 may have a
U-shape in cross-section along the lateral axis A of the seat
14.
[0052] The bar 74 may be rotatably connected to the second arm 20,
e.g., via a rotatable joint, such as a hinge. The bar 74 may be
connected to the second arm 20 between the proximal end 56 and the
distal end 58 of the second arm 20. The bar 74 may extend along the
second arm 20 when the second arm 20 is in the undeployed position,
as shown in FIG. 2. As the second arm 20 rotates to the deployed
position, the bar 74 may rotate about a second rotational axis (not
numbered), e.g., defined by the rotational joint, that is generally
parallel to the rotational axis R. The bar 74 may extend transverse
to the second arm 20 when the second arm 20 is in the deployed
position, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. For example, the bar 74 may
extend from the second arm 20 to the bracket 72 when the second arm
20 is in the deployed position.
[0053] The bracket 72 and the bar 74 are selectively engageable
with each other from an unlocked position to a locked position. In
the unlocked position, the bracket 72 and the bar 74 are spaced
from each other, i.e., not engaged with each other. In this
situation, the second arm 20 is rotatable relative to the seat 14,
e.g., during deployment. In the locked position, the bracket 72 and
the bar 74 are engaged with each other, i.e., fixed relative to
each other. For example, the bar 74 may be partially disposed in
the bracket 72, e.g., between the first and second sides of the
bracket 72 and abutting the third side of the bracket 72, when the
second arm 20 is in the deployed position. In other words, the
bracket 72 and the bar 74 prevent the second arm 20 from moving
relative to the seat 14. Said differently, the bracket 72 and the
bar 74 lock the second arm 20 and the seat 14 with each other in
the fixed position when the second arm 20 is in the deployed
position.
[0054] The side airbag assembly 68 may include a base 62 attached
to the airbag housing 16 and supporting the airbag 22. For example,
the base 62 may be attached to the first arm 18, as shown in FIG.
2. The base 62 may be disposed between the first arm 18 and the
second arm 20. That is, the base 62 may be covered by the airbag
housing 16 when the second arm 20 is in the undeployed position.
The base 62 may be flat. As another example, the base 62 may
include a cavity (not shown) that may house the airbag 22 in the
uninflated position and may support the airbag 22 in the inflated
position. The base 62 may, for example, include clips, panels, etc.
for attaching the airbag 22 and for attaching the base 62 to the
airbag housing 16. The base 62 may be attached to any suitable
component, e.g., the first arm 18, the second arm 20, etc.
[0055] The airbag 22 may be formed of any suitable airbag 22
material, e.g., from a woven polymer. For example, the airbag 22
may be formed of woven nylon yarn, e.g., nylon 6. Other suitable
examples include polyether ether ketone (PEEK),
polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyester, or any other suitable
polymer. The woven polymer may include a coating such as silicone,
neoprene, urethane, polyorganosiloxane, etc.
[0056] The airbag 22 may be a single continuous unit, e.g., a
single piece of fabric. Alternatively, the airbag 22 may include a
plurality of segments, i.e., two or more. The segments may be
attached to each other in any suitable fashion, e.g., a plurality
of panels attached by stitching, ultrasonic welding, etc.
[0057] As set forth above, the airbag 22 is inflatable from the
uninflated position to the inflated position. In the uninflated
position, the airbag 22 may be disposed in the airbag housing 16,
e.g., between the first arm 18 and the second arm 20, as shown in
FIG. 2. In other words, the airbag housing 16 may cover the airbag
22 in the uninflated position. During inflation, the airbag 22 may
force the second arm 20 to rotate relative to the seat 14 to the
deployed position. In the inflated position, the airbag 22 extends
along the occupant seating area 46, e.g., in the seat-forward
direction D1 and along the vertical axis V of the seat 14, between
the occupant seating area 46 and another seat 14, i.e., inboard of
the occupant seating area 46, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. In the
inflated position, the airbag 22 may extend next to the occupant
seating area 46 to control occupant kinematics.
[0058] With reference to FIGS. 3A-3C, the airbag 22 extends from
the first arm 18 to the second arm 20. For example, the airbag 22
may extend along the first arm 18 from the second arm 20 towards
the distal end 54 of the first arm 18, and the airbag 22 may extend
along the second arm 20 from the first arm 18 towards the distal
end 58 of the second arm 20. As one example, the airbag 22 may
extend to the distal end 54 of the first arm 18 and/or to the
distal end 58 of the second arm 20. As another example, the airbag
22 may be spaced from the distal end 54 of the first arm 18 and/or
from the distal end 58 of the second arm 20. The airbag 22 may be
disposed adjacent to the seatback 28 and the seat bottom 30 in the
inflated position.
[0059] As set forth above, the airbag 22 is fixed to the first arm
18 and the second arm 20. The airbag 22 may, for example, be fixed
along the first arm 18, e.g., from the second arm 20 towards the
distal end 54 of the first arm 18. As another example, the airbag
22 may be fixed to the first arm 18 at specific locations along the
first arm 18. As one example, the airbag 22 may be fixed to the
distal end 54 of the first arm 18. Additionally, the airbag 22 may,
for example, be fixed along the second arm 20, e.g., from the first
arm 18 towards the distal end 58 of the second arm 20. As another
example, the airbag 22 may be fixed to the second arm 20 at
specific locations along the second arm 20. As one example, the
airbag 22 may be fixed to the distal end 58 of the second arm 20.
The airbag 22 may, for example, be fixed to the first arm 18 and
the second arm 20 via stitching, ultrasonic welding, etc.
[0060] With continued reference to FIGS. 3A-3C, the side airbag
assembly 68 may include a plurality of external tethers 64
extending from the first arm 18 to the second arm 20. At least some
of the external tethers 64 may be disposed inboard of the airbag 22
relative to the seat 14, i.e., at least some of the external
tethers 64 are disposed between the airbag 22 and the seat 14, as
shown in FIG. 3B. Additionally, or alternatively, at least some of
the external tethers 64 may be disposed outboard of airbag 22
relative to the seat 14, i.e., the airbag 22 is disposed between at
least some of the external tethers 64 and the seat 14, as shown in
FIGS. 3A and 3C. The side airbag assembly 68 may include any
suitable number of external tethers 64.
[0061] The external tethers 64 may be attached to the first arm 18
and the second arm 20. The external tethers 64 may be attached at
any suitable location along the first arm 18. For example, one
external tether 64 may be attached to the distal end 54 of the
first arm 18 and another external tether 64 may be attached to the
first arm 18 at a location between the joint 70 and the distal end
54 of the first arm 18, as shown in the Figures. Similarly, the
external tethers 64 may be attached at any suitable location along
the second arm 20. For example, the external tethers 64 may be
attached to the distal end 58 of the second arm 20. The external
tethers 64 may be attached to the first arm 18 and the second arm
20, e.g., via stitching, ultrasonic welding, etc.
[0062] The external tethers 64 may, for example, be attached to the
airbag 22. The external tethers 64 may be attached to the airbag 22
along an axis defined by the external tether 64 and extending from
the first arm 18 to the second arm 20. The external tethers 64 may
be attached to the airbag 22, e.g., via stitching, ultrasonic
welding, etc. As another example, the external tethers 64 may be
disconnected from the airbag 22. The external tethers 64 may be any
suitable material. For example, the external tethers 64 may be a
same material as the airbag 22.
[0063] The external tethers 64 may be uninflatable. In other words,
the external tethers 64 may not define an inflation chamber, e.g.,
the external tethers 64 may be a panel of material that is not
fixed to another panel, or itself, to enclose a volume for
receiving inflation medium. The external tethers 64 may be a woven
fabric, or any other suitable material.
[0064] The second arm 20 pulls the external tethers 64, e.g., about
the rotational axis R, when the second arm 20 rotates to the
deployed position. The external tethers 64 may be under tension
when the second arm 20 is in the deployed position. In other words,
the external tethers 64 may be taught, i.e., not relaxed, when the
second arm 20 is in the deployed position. By tensioning the
external tethers 64, the external tethers 64 may be a reaction
surface for the airbag 22. That is, the external tethers 64 may
provide a counteracting force against the airbag 22 when the airbag
22 is impacted by the occupant. In such an example, the external
tethers 64 may provide lateral support for the airbag 22, which may
assist the airbag 22 in controlling occupant kinematics.
[0065] The inflator 50 is in fluid communication with the airbag
22. The inflator 50 expands the airbag 22 with inflation medium,
such as a gas, to move the airbag 22 from the uninflated position
to the inflated position. The inflator 50 may be supported by any
suitable component. For example, the inflator 50 may be fixed to
the seatback 28, e.g., the seat frame 48, and spaced from the
airbag housing 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As another example,
the inflator 50 may be attached to the first arm 18.
[0066] The inflator 50 may be, for example, a pyrotechnic inflator
that ignites a chemical reaction to generate the inflation medium,
a stored gas inflator that releases (e.g., by a pyrotechnic valve)
stored gas as the inflation medium, or a hybrid. The inflator 50
may be, for example, at least partially in an inflation chamber of
the airbag 22 to deliver inflation medium directly to the inflation
chamber or may be connected to the inflation chamber through fill
tubes, diffusers, etc.
[0067] With reference to FIG. 4, the vehicle 10 may include an
inflation system 76 having a computer. The computer may be a
microprocessor-based computing device implemented via circuits,
chips, or other electronic components. For example, the computer
may include a processor 78, memory, etc. The memory may store
instructions executable by the processor 78 and the processor 78
may read the instructions from the memory and execute the
instructions. The processor 78 may be programmed to initiate an
inflation of the airbag 22 in response to the vehicle impact.
[0068] The vehicle 10 may include impact detection sensors 80
programmed to detect the vehicle impact to the vehicle 10. The
impact detection sensors 80 may be disposed in the vehicle 10. The
impact detection sensors 80 may be of various types, e.g., pressure
sensor, acceleration sensor, vision sensor, etc. When the vehicle
impact occurs, the processor 78 may receive one or more signals
from the impact detection sensors 80 indicating the vehicle impact.
In response to receiving the signals from the impact detection
sensors 80, the processor 78 may initiate the inflation of the
airbag 22. Alternatively, the processor 78 may initiate the
inflation of the airbag 22 selectively based on information from
the impact detection sensors 80 identifying the physical
characteristics of the vehicle impact, e.g., which side of the
vehicle 10 impacted, amount of pressure applied to the vehicle 10,
etc. and also seat occupancy information, e.g., by using the
occupancy sensors disposed inside the seats 14 sensing the
occupancy status of the seats 14.
[0069] In order to receive the signals from the sensors, e.g., the
impact detection sensors 80, and to initiate the inflation of the
airbag 22, the processor 78 communicates with the sensors, e.g.,
the impact detection sensors 80, and the inflator 50, e.g., through
a direct electrical wiring, through which an analog or a digital
signal is transmitted, or through a communication network 82 like
CAN (Control Area Network), Ethernet, LIN (Local Interconnect
Network) or any other way.
[0070] Computing devices, such as the computer, generally include
computer-executable instructions, where the instructions may be
executable by one or more computing devices such as those listed
above. Computer-executable instructions may be compiled or
interpreted from computer programs created using a variety of
programming languages and/or technologies, including, without
limitation, and either alone or in combination, Java.TM., C, C++,
Visual Basic, Java Script, Perl, etc. Some of these applications
may be compiled and executed on a virtual machine, such as the Java
Virtual Machine, the Dalvik virtual machine, or the like. In
general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives
instructions, e.g., from a memory, a computer-readable medium,
etc., and executes these instructions, thereby performing one or
more processes, including one or more of the processes described
herein. Such instructions and other data may be stored and
transmitted using a variety of computer-readable media.
[0071] A computer-readable medium (also referred to as a
processor-readable medium) includes any non-transitory (e.g.,
tangible) medium that participates in providing data (e.g.,
instructions) that may be read by a computer (e.g., by a processor
of a computer). Such a medium may take many forms, including, but
not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile
media may include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other
persistent memory. Volatile media may include, for example, dynamic
random-access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes a main
memory. Such instructions may be transmitted by one or more
transmission media, including coaxial cables, copper internal and
fiber optics, including the internals that comprise a system bus
coupled to a processor of a computer. Common forms of
computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a
flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium,
a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape,
any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an
EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any
other medium from which a computer can read.
[0072] In some examples, system elements may be implemented as
computer-readable instructions (e.g., software) on one or more
computing devices (e.g., servers, personal computers, etc.), stored
on computer readable media associated therewith (e.g., disks,
memories, etc.). A computer program product may comprise such
instructions stored on computer readable media for carrying out the
functions described herein.
[0073] In operation, the airbag 22 is in the uninflated position,
under normal operating conditions of the vehicle 10. In the event
of a vehicle impact, the impact detection sensors 84 detect the
impact. The impact detection sensors 84 transmit a signal
indicating the vehicle impact collision through the communication
network 82 to the processor 78. When the vehicle impact is
detected, the processor 78 transmits a signal through the
communication network 82 triggering the inflator 50 to inflate the
airbag 22 with inflation medium from the uninflated position to the
inflated position. When the inflator 50 inflates the airbag 22 to
the inflated position, the inflation medium flows into the
inflation chamber of the airbag 22, increasing the pressure in the
inflation chamber. As the pressure is increased in the inflation
chamber, the airbag 22 inflates and forces the second arm 20 to
rotate to the deployed position. As the occupant moves relative to
the seat 14 due to momentum of the vehicle impact, the occupant
moves towards the airbag 22 in the inflated position. When the
occupant impacts the airbag 22, the airbag 22 controls the
kinematics of the occupant. By being fixed to the first arm 18 and
the second arm 20, the airbag 22 controls the kinematics of the
occupant regardless of whether another component is adjacent to the
seat 14 to provide a reaction surface for the airbag 22.
[0074] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner,
and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used
is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
of limitation. The adjectives "first" and "second" are used
throughout this document as identifiers and are not intended to
signify importance or order. Many modifications and variations of
the present disclosure are possible in light of the above
teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described.
* * * * *