BONNET AIRBAG

• US 20130015642A1
• Filed: 03/23/2012
• Published: 01/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Zodiac Aerospace SA (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Zodiac Aerospace SA (Safran SA)
• Inventors: ISLAM, RAKIBUL, AGUIRRE, RAUL DANIEL FLORES, CAILLETEAU, JEREMY, TRIMBLE, ROBERT W., QUATANENS, FREDERIC, GAUDIN, JEREMY, MARTINEZ, VIRGILE, OBADIA, JEAN-MARC
• Application Number:
  US13/428,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20130015642A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0048 Head
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a bonnet airbag system that is configured to deploy in a forward manner from a back portion of a seat.

Claims

1. A seat equipped with an airbag that deploys in a forward manner from a back portion of the seat, comprising:

a seat backrest;

a bonnet airbag associated with the seat backrest, the bonnet airbag shaped and configured such that such that upon deployment, the bonnet airbag moves forward to at least partially surround a portion of an occupant of the seat.

2. The seat of claim 1, wherein the bonnet airbag comprises a curved bonnet hood and a lower support portion.

3. The seat of claim 2, wherein the lower support portion comprises an inflatable flange.

4. The seat of claim 1, wherein the bonnet airbag has a stowed position provided by a cover.

5. The seat of claim 4, wherein the cover further comprises a breakable seam.

6. The seat of claim 1, wherein the bonnet airbag is attached along sides the seat backrest.

7. The seat of claim 1, wherein the bonnet airbag has a triangular cone shape at or near a point at which the airbag is attached to the seat backrest.

8. The seat of claim 1, further comprising a system for detecting a crash condition and causing the airbag to deploy.

9. The seat of claim 8, wherein the system comprises a gas inflator and a crash sensor.

10. The seat of claim 1, wherein the airbag has one or more additional support features.

11. The seat of claim 10, wherein the one or more additional support features comprise a braid at the front portion of the airbag that is configured to retract upon airbag deployment.

12. The seat of claim 10, wherein the one or more additional support features comprise one or more inflatable tubes configured to support a hood portion of the airbag upon airbag deployment.

13. An airbag designed to deploy in a forward manner from a back portion of a seat, comprising:

a bonnet hood; and

a lower support.

14. The airbag of claim 13, wherein the lower support portion comprises an inflatable flange.

15. The airbag of claim 13, wherein the airbag has one or more additional support features.

16. The airbag of claim 15, wherein the one or more additional support features comprise a braid at the front portion of the lower support that is configured to retract upon airbag deployment.

17. The airbag of claim 15, wherein the one or more additional support features comprise one or more inflatable tubes configured to support the bonnet hood of the airbag upon airbag deployment.

18. The airbag of claim 13, further comprising a system for detecting a crash condition and causing the airbag to deploy.

19. The airbag of claim 13, wherein the lower support has a triangular cone shape at or near a point at which the airbag is attached to a seat backrest.

20. A method for installing an airbag in a seat in order for the airbag to deploy from a back portion of the seat, comprising:

(a) providing an airbag designed to deploy in a forward manner from a back portion of a seat, (b) providing a system for detecting a crash condition and causing the airbag to deploy;

(c) securing the airbag to the seat;

(d) securing the system at a location that enables it to communicate with an activate the airbag upon a crash condition.