AIRCRAFT AIRBAG SYSTEM

• US 20140027574A1
• Filed: 06/07/2013
• Published: 01/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safran Seats Co.
• Original Assignee: Sicma Aero Seat S.A.
• Inventors: OBADIA, Jean-Marc, CAILLETEAU, Jeremy, LEE, Nick, PAYNE, John, KWOK, Nathan, DAOUT, Jean-Marie, STORY, Jake, KNOX, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,428,132 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/121
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0093 Aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00 Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2201/00 Airbags mounted in aircraft for any use
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/02 Supports or holding means for living bodies

Abstract

An airbag system assembly configured to be positioned in the interior of a vehicle that includes an aft wall configured to be positioned forward of a passenger seat and an airbag system. The aft wall includes front and aft surfaces and the aft wall includes a first flap that is formed by a plurality of weakness lines in at least the front surface thereof. The airbag system includes at least a first airbag module having a first airbag support plate with front and aft surfaces. The first airbag support plate is secured to the front surface of the aft wall, and the first airbag support plate includes a first airbag that is configured to deploy in the event of a crash condition and that is disposed on the aft surface of the first airbag support plate. The first airbag is positioned adjacent the first flap.

Claims

1. An airbag system assembly configured to be positioned in the interior of a vehicle, the airbag system assembly comprising:

an aft wall that is configured to be positioned forward of a passenger seat, wherein the aft wall includes a front surface and an aft surface, wherein the aft wall includes a first flap that is formed by a plurality of weakness lines in at least the front surface thereof, and

an airbag system that includes at least a first airbag module having a first airbag support plate with a front surface and an aft surface, wherein the first airbag support plate is secured to the front surface of the aft wall, wherein the first airbag support plate includes a first airbag that is configured to deploy in the event of a crash condition and that is disposed on the aft surface of the first airbag support plate, wherein the first airbag is positioned adjacent the first flap.

2. The airbag system assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of weakness lines include a left weakness line, a right weakness line and one of a top or a bottom weakness line that cooperate to define one of a top hinge section or a bottom hinge section.

3. The airbag system assembly of claim 2 wherein the airbag system includes at least a second airbag module having a second airbag support plate with a front surface and an aft surface, wherein the second airbag support plate is scoured to the front surface of the aft wall, wherein the second airbag support plate includes a second airbag that is configured to deploy in the event of a crash condition and that is disposed on the aft surface of the second airbag support plate, wherein the second airbag is positioned adjacent the first flap, and wherein the first and second airbags are configured to be associated with a separate passenger in the vehicle.

4. The airbag system assembly of claim 1 wherein the airbag system further comprises at least a first inflator tank, and wherein the first inflator tank is positioned on the front surface of the first airbag support plate.

5. The airbag system assembly of claim 1 wherein the aft wall includes an upper panel, a lower panel and a transition panel positioned between the upper and lower panels, wherein the upper panel and lower panel are positioned such that they are not aligned vertically.

6. The airbag system assembly of claim 3 wherein the second airbag module is positioned below the first airbag module on the aft wall, wherein the first airbag module is positioned such that it will be contacted by a passenger'"'"'s head in the event of a crash condition, and wherein the second airbag module is positioned such that it will be contacted by a portion of the passenger'"'"'s anatomy below the head.

7. The airbag system of claim 1 wherein the airbag is configured such that after it deploys it is large enough to be contacted by a passenger'"'"'s head and a portion of the passenger'"'"'s anatomy below the head.

8. A closet monument assembly configured to be positioned in the interior of a vehicle, the closet monument assembly comprising:

a closet monument that includes a front wall, an aft wall, an outer wall and an inner wall that cooperate to define a monument interior, wherein the inner wall includes at least a first door that provides access to a first storage compartment, and

an airbag system mounted on the aft wall or disposed within the monument interior, when the airbag system includes at least a first airbag that is configured to deploy in the event of a crash condition.

9. The closet monument assembly of claim 8 wherein the aft wall includes a front surface and an aft surface, wherein the airbag system is disposed within the monument interior and is secured to the front surface of the aft wall, wherein the aft wall includes a first flap that is formed by a plurality of weakness lines in the front surface thereof, and wherein the first airbag is positioned adjacent the first flap.

10. The closet monument assembly of claim 9 wherein the plurality of weakness lines include a left weakness line, a right weakness line and one of a top or a bottom weakness line that cooperate to define one of a top hinge section or a bottom hinge section.

11. The closet monument assembly of claim 10 wherein the airbag system is at least partially housed within an airbag compartment, and wherein the inner wall includes an airbag access door that provides access to the airbag compartment.

12. The closet monument assembly of claim 8 wherein the airbag system includes an airbag module that comprises an airbag support plate having a front surface and an aft surface, wherein the first airbag is disposed on the aft surface of the airbag support plate, and wherein the airbag support plate is secured to the aft wall of the closet monument.

13. The closet monument assembly of claim 12 wherein the airbag system further comprises at least a first inflator tank, and wherein the first inflator tank is positioned on the front surface of the airbag support plate.

14. The closet monument assembly of claim 8 wherein the closet monument includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the upper portion has a greater depth than the lower portion.

15. The closet monument assembly of claim 14 wherein the aft wall includes an upper panel, a lower panel and a transition panel positioned between the upper and lower panels.

16. The closet monument of claim 15 wherein the upper panel of the aft wall includes a front surface and an aft surface, wherein the airbag system is disposed within the monument interior and is secured to the front surface of the upper panel, wherein the aft wall includes a first flap that is formed by a plurality of weakness lines in the front surface thereof, and wherein the first airbag is positioned adjacent the first flap.

17. The closet monument assembly of claim 16 wherein the airbag system is housed within an airbag compartment, and wherein the inner wall includes an airbag access door that provides access to the airbag compartment.

18. The closet monument assembly of claim 15 wherein the airbag system includes an airbag module that comprises an airbag support plate having a front surface and an aft surface, wherein the first airbag is disposed on the aft surface of the airbag support plate, and wherein the airbag support plate is secured to the aft wall.

19. A galley monument assembly configured to be positioned in the interior of vehicle, the galley monument assembly comprising:

a galley monument that includes

a front wall, an aft wall, an outer wall and an inner wall that cooperate to define a monument interior, wherein the aft wall includes a front surface and an aft surface, a first flap that is formed by a first set of weakness lines formed in the aft wall, a second flap that is formed by a second set of weakness lines formed in the aft wall,

first and second airbag modules that include first and second airbag support plates respectively secured to the aft wall of the galley monument, wherein the first and second airbag support plates each include a front surface and an aft surface, a first airbag that is configured to deploy in the event of a crash condition and that is disposed on the aft surface of the first airbag support plate, a second airbag that is configured to deploy in the event of a crash condition and that is disposed on the aft surface of the second airbag support plate, and wherein the first airbag is positioned adjacent the first flap and the second airbag is positioned adjacent the second flap.

20. The galley monument assembly of claim 19 wherein the weakness lines comprise tear seams formed in the aft wall.

21. The galley monument assembly of claim 20 wherein the first airbag support plate includes a first inflator tank secured to the front surface thereof, and wherein the second airbag support plate includes a second inflator tank secured to the front surface thereof.

22. The galley monument assembly of claim 19 wherein the first airbag module includes a first inflator tank secured to a portion of the galley monument at a location remote from the first airbag support plate, and wherein the second airbag module includes a second inflator tank secured to a portion of the galley monument at a location remote from the second airbag support plate.

23. The galley monument assembly of claim 19 further comprising a third airbag module that includes a third airbag support plate secured to the aft wall of the galley monument, wherein the third airbag support plate includes a front surface and an aft surface, a third airbag that is configured to deploy in the event of a crash condition and that is disposed on the aft surface of the third airbag support plate, and wherein the third airbag is positioned adjacent a third flap formed by a third set of weakness lines formed in the aft wall.

24. The galley monument of claim 19 wherein at least the first airbag module includes a first door positioned adjacent the first airbag support plate, wherein the first door is movable between an open and a closed position and is hingedly secured to the front surface of the aft wall by a flexible strap.