INTEGRATED SIDE IMPACT AND REAR OCCUPANT FRONT IMPACT PROTECTION BOLSTERS

• US 20150108744A1
• Filed: 10/17/2013
• Published: 04/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Line, Johnathan Andrew, West, Sean
• Application Number:
  US14/056,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20150108744A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4221 due to impact coming from the front
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4235 transversal
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6009 covering more than only the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23146 seat mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback having a forward cushion surface and a back panel. An airbag deployment system is operably coupled to a crash pulse module. A side airbag is disposed between the forward cushion surface and the back panel proximate a side portion of the seatback. A bolster airbag is disposed between the forward cushion surface and the back panel proximate a lower portion of the back panel. A single inflator is in communication with both the side airbag and the bolster airbag. A valve assembly is operably coupled with the single inflator and is in communication with the crash pulse module. The valve assembly is configured to activate at least one of the side airbag and the bolster airbag during a collision event.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seatback having a forward cushion surface and a back panel; and

an airbag deployment system operably coupled to a crash pulse module and comprising;

a side airbag disposed between the forward cushion surface and the back panel proximate a side portion of the seatback;

a bolster airbag disposed between the forward cushion surface and the back panel proximate a lower portion of the back panel;

a single inflator in communication with both the side airbag and the bolster airbag; and

a valve assembly operably coupled with the single inflator and in communication with the crash pulse module, the valve assembly being configured to activate at least one of the side airbag and the bolster airbag during a collision event.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the bolster airbag includes at least one air bladder having a main cavity and a plurality of laterally extending bellows.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2, wherein the bolster airbag includes a plastic decorative cover extending over the air bladder.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, the inflator inflates only the bolster airbag during a primarily frontal collision event.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, the inflator inflates only the side airbag during a primarily side collision event.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly includes a valve plate proximate the inflator and in communication with both the side airbag and the bolster airbag.

7. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seatback; and

an airbag deployment system operably coupled to a crash pulse module and comprising;

a side airbag proximate a side portion of the seatback;

a bolster airbag proximate a rear of the seatback; and

a valve assembly operably coupled with a single inflator and in communication with the crash pulse module, the valve assembly configured to activate at least one of the side airbag and the bolster airbag.

8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the seatback includes a passenger engagement surface and a detachable hard back panel.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the side airbag, the bolster airbag, and the inflator are all disposed in the seatback between the passenger engagement surface and the detachable hard back panel.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the inflator inflates both the side airbag and the bolster airbag during a collision event.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, the inflator inflates only the bolster airbag during a primarily frontal collision event.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, the inflator inflates only the side airbag during a primarily side collision event.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the valve assembly includes a valve plate proximate the inflator and in communication with both the side airbag and the bolster airbag, the valve plate being configured to influence gas flow to each of the side airbag and the bolster airbag.

14. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, wherein the valve assembly is operably coupled with a vehicle seat side structural support proximate a sidewall and a rear wall of the structural support.

15. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seatback having an airbag deployment system having a single inflator operably coupled with both a side airbag and a bolster airbag; and

a valve assembly operably coupled with the single inflator and in communication with a crash pulse module, the valve assembly being configured to activate one or both of the side airbag and the bolster airbag during a collision event.

16. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 15, wherein the bolster airbag includes at least one air bladder having a main cavity and a plurality of laterally extending bellows.

17. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 15, the inflator inflates only the bolster airbag during a primarily frontal collision event.

18. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 15, the inflator inflates only the side airbag during a primarily side collision event.

19. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 15, wherein the valve assembly includes a valve plate proximate the inflator and in communication with both the side airbag and the bolster airbag, the valve plate being configured to influence gas flow to each of the side airbag and the bolster airbag.

20. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 15, wherein the valve assembly is operably coupled with a vehicle seat side structural support proximate a sidewall and a rear wall of the structural support.