DEVIATING AIRBAG

• US 20130009389A1
• Filed: 03/23/2012
• Published: 01/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zodiac Seats France (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Zodiac Aerospace SA (Safran SA)
• Inventors: ISLAM, RAKIBUL, Trimble, Robert W., Aguirre, Raul Daniel Flores, Quatanens, Frederic, Cailleteau, Jeremy, Gaudin, Jeremy, Obadia, Jean-Marc, Martinez, Virgile
• Granted Patent: US 8,528,932 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0093 Aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0604 including a bed, e.g. cocoon type passenger seat modules
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06205 Arrangements of airbags
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2201/00 Airbags mounted in aircraft for any use

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an airbag system formed from non-traditional or asymmetric airbag shapes that deflect a vehicle occupant away from an interior vehicle structure.

Claims

1. An airbag system, comprising:

an airbag comprising an occupant-facing corner defined by two sides extending therefrom, wherein in use, a vehicle occupant is deflected by the occupant-facing corner toward one of the two sides.

2. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein the airbag comprises a generally square-shaped cross-section.

3. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein the airbag is configured to be secured to an interior structure of a vehicle at a deployment area.

4. The airbag system of claim 1, further comprising a gas inflator in fluid communication with the airbag, and a crash sensor configured to activate inflation of the airbag.

5. An airbag system, comprising:

an airbag, comprising an elongated deflection side configured to deflect a vehicle occupant away from an interior vehicle structure.

6. The airbag system of claim 5, wherein the elongated deflection side is a straight side of the airbag.

7. The airbag system of claim 5, wherein the airbag comprises a generally quadrilateral-shaped cross-section.

8. The airbag system of claim 5, wherein the airbag comprises a generally triangular-shaped cross-section.

9. The airbag system of claim 5, wherein the airbag is configured to be secured to an interior structure of a vehicle at a deployment area.

10. The airbag system of claim 9, wherein the deployment area is in front of the vehicle occupant.

11. The airbag system of claim 9, wherein the deployment area is to the side of the vehicle occupant.

12. The airbag system of claim 5, wherein the airbag further comprises:

(a) a connection side, configured to secure the airbag to a deployment area; and

(b) a support side extending away from the connection side.

14. The airbag system of claim 5, wherein the airbag is configured to be deployed from an armrest of a seat.

15. The airbag system of claim 5, wherein the airbag is configured to be deployed from a seat back.

16. The airbag system of claim 5, further comprising a gas inflator in fluid communication with the airbag, and a crash sensor configured to activate inflation of the airbag.

13. The airbag system of claim 13, further comprising (c) a structure-facing side extending away from the elongated deflection side.