Multiple panel pad shield in a vehicular side bolster for side airbag retention and deployment

• US 20070085308A1
• Filed: 10/16/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Tracht, Michael, Penzel, Rainer
• Granted Patent: US 7,823,912 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/58 Seat coverings
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2076 Removable covers with tear seams
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly includes a frame for mounting the seat to a vehicle. The seat assembly also includes a seat pad molded from a polymeric material and located proximate the frame. A trim cover is disposed over the seat pad, and includes a seam adjacent a side of the seat pad. An airbag assembly, which includes an airbag and an inflator configured to supply gas to the airbag, is also part of the seat assembly. A pad shield covers at least a portion of the seat pad for protecting it during deployment of the airbag. The pad shield includes inner and outer panels which form a deployment channel for the airbag, and thereby inhibit contact of the airbag with the seat pad as the airbag deploys.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising:

a frame for mounting the seat assembly to a vehicle;

a seat pad disposed proximate the frame;

a trim cover disposed over at least a part of the seat pad and including a seam adjacent a side of the seat pad;

an airbag assembly, including an airbag and an inflator configured to supply gas to the airbag, thereby facilitating deployment of the airbag; and

a pad shield covering at least a portion of the seat pad for protecting the seat pad during the deployment of the airbag, the pad shield including inner and outer panels and forming a deployment channel therebetween for the airbag.

2. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the deployment channel is oriented to facilitate deployment of the airbag through the seam in the trim cover.

3. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer panels of the pad shield each include an end attached to the trim cover at the seam.

4. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag assembly includes a housing at least partially surrounding the airbag, the housing including a frangible portion to facilitate deployment of the airbag along the deployment channel.

5. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 4, wherein the panels cooperate to form the deployment channel proximate the front of the airbag housing.

6. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 5, wherein the inner panels and the trim are sewn together by the airbag seam.

11. A method of producing the vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

A. locating a bolster, which includes a wire frame with a deployment channel opening upwardly;

B. placing a trim material on the bolster, while aligning an airbag seam with the opening of the deployment channel;

C. feeding a pad shield having inner and outer panels, which are sewn to the trim, into and through the deployment channel;

D. affixing the trim to the bolster;

E. mounting the inner panel to the wire frame;

F. fastening the outer panel to the wire frame;

G. placing an airbag module between the inner and outer panels, and into the cavity of the bolster; and

H. securing an airbag housing to the wire frame, thereby providing a rigid reaction surface against which the forces of deployment may be exerted.

7. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising:

a frame for mounting the seat assembly to a vehicle;

a seat pad disposed proximate the frame;

a trim cover disposed over at least a part of the seat pad and including a seam adjacent to a side of the seat pad;

an airbag assembly, including an airbag and an inflator configured to supply gas to the airbag, thereby facilitating deployment of the airbag; and

a pad shield covering at least a portion of the seat pad for protecting the seat pad during deployment of the airbag, the pad shield including two panels cooperating with each other to form a deployment channel therebetween for the airbag such that deployment of the airbag along the deployment channel moves a portion of the seat pad away from the deploying airbag, while the pad shield inhibits contact between the seat pad and the deploying airbag, the orientation of the deployment channel facilitating deployment of the airbag through the seam in the trim cover, so that deployment forces are substantially directed toward the seam by the panels.

8. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 7, wherein the airbag assembly includes a housing at least partially surrounding the airbag, the housing including a frangible portion to facilitate deployment of the airbag along the deployment channel.

9. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 8, wherein the inner and outer panels of the pad shield cooperate to form the deployment channel proximate the front of the airbag housing.

10. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 9, wherein the inner panel of the pad shield includes a seam end attached to the trim cover at the seam, and a distal end attached to the airbag housing.