MULTI-CHAMBER AIRBAGS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE

• US 20170225788A1
• Filed: 01/05/2017
• Published: 08/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Humbert, Todd Joseph
• Application Number:
  US15/398,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20170225788A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0044 Chest
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0093 Aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23115 with inflatable support compartments creating an internal suction volume
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23308 the individual compartments defining the external shape of the bag
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/18 the inflatable member formed as a belt or harness or combined with a belt or harness arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/233 comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other B60R21/232 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06205 Arrangements of airbags
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2201/00 Airbags mounted in aircraft for any use

Abstract

Multi-chamber airbag systems for use in aircraft and other vehicles are described herein. In some embodiments, an occupant restraint system includes a multi-chamber airbag that deploys from an occupant restraint (e.g., a lap seat belt) in an aircraft. The multi-chamber airbag can include a first portion that inflates generally upward in front of the occupant'"'"'s torso, and a second portion that inflates in front of the first portion. The first portion and/or the second portion can include multiple chambers (e.g., generally cylindrical-shaped chambers) that, when inflated, provide the airbag with a shape and/or contact surfaces which can help to maintain the position of the airbag between the occupant and a strike object or hazard. In other embodiments, multi-chamber airbags configured in accordance with the present disclosure can me mounted to a structure (e.g., a monument, console, seat back, etc.) positioned generally in front of the occupant. The structure-mounted airbag can deploy generally toward the occupant in the event of a vehicle impact or other potentially harmful event to protect the occupant from impact injury.

Claims

1. A restraint system for use with a seat in an aircraft, the restraint system comprising:

a web configured to be fastened around a waist of an occupant seated in the seat; and

an airbag attached to the web, wherein the airbag includes a first chamber and a second chamber, separate from the first chamber.

2. The restraint system of claim 1 wherein the first chamber includes a first fabric enclosure and the second chamber includes a second fabric enclosure, at least partially separate from the first fabric enclosure but in fluid communication with the first fabric enclosure.

3. The restraint system of claim 1 wherein the first chamber includes a first fabric enclosure and the second chamber includes a second fabric enclosure, and wherein the first fabric enclosure is separated from the second fabric enclosure by at least a partial barrier extending therebetween.

4. The restraint system of claim 1 wherein, when inflated, the first and second chambers have generally cylindrical cross-sectional shapes.

5. The restraint system of claim 1 wherein, when inflated, the first and second chambers have generally cylindrical cross-sectional shapes positioned side-by-side.

6. The restraint system of claim 1 wherein the airbag further includes a third chamber, separate from the first and second chambers, wherein the third chamber defines a first airbag portion and the first and second chambers together define a second airbag portion, and wherein, in operation, the first airbag portion inflates between the occupant and the second airbag portion.

7. The restraint system of claim 6 wherein the first and second chambers are at least partially defined by:

a forward-facing panel;

a rear-facing panel; and

a seam attaching the forward-facing panel to the rear-facing panel, wherein the seam at least partially separates the first chamber from the second chamber.

8. The restraint system of claim 1 wherein the airbag further includes a third chamber, separate from the first and second chambers, wherein the third chamber defines a first airbag portion having a first width, wherein the first and second chambers together define a second airbag portion having a second width that is at least approximately equal to the first width.

9. The restraint system of claim 1 wherein the first and second chambers are in fluid communication to facilitate inflation of the airbag, and wherein, in operation:

the first chamber inflates directly in front of the occupant'"'"'s torso and extends generally to the occupant'"'"'s chin;

the second chamber inflates directly in front of the first chamber; and

the second chamber is taller than the first chamber and extends in front of the occupant'"'"'s head.

10. The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a third chamber, separate from the first and second chambers, wherein the first, second and third chambers are in fluid communication to facilitate inflation of the airbag, and wherein, in operation:

the third chamber inflates directly in front of the occupant'"'"'s torso and extends generally to the occupant'"'"'s chin;

the first and second chambers inflate directly in front of the third chamber and have generally cylindrical cross-sectional shapes positioned side-by-side; and

the first and second chambers are taller than the third chamber and extend in front of the occupant'"'"'s head.

11. The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a third chamber, separate from the first and second chambers, wherein the first, second and third chambers are in fluid communication to facilitate inflation of the airbag, and wherein, in operation:

the first and second chambers inflate directly in front of the occupant'"'"'s torso and have generally cylindrical cross-sectional shapes that are positioned side-by-side and extend generally to the occupant'"'"'s chin;

the third chamber inflates directly in front of the first and second chambers; and

the third chamber is taller than the first and second chambers and extends in front of the occupant'"'"'s head.

12. An airbag system for use with a structure positioned in the vicinity of an aircraft seat, the airbag system comprising:

an airbag assembly configured to be mounted to the structure, wherein the airbag assembly includes a multi-chamber airbag having—

a first airbag portion having at least a first chamber; and

a second airbag portion having at least a second chamber separate from the first chamber but in fluid communication with the first chamber, wherein in operation, the first and second airbag portions inflate and deploy generally outward from the structure and toward the aircraft seat, wherein the first airbag portion inflates generally above the second airbag portion, and wherein the second airbag portion extends further toward the aircraft seat than the first airbag portion.

13. The airbag system of claim 12 wherein the second airbag portion includes a third chamber separate from the first and second chambers but in fluid communication with the first and second chambers, and wherein the second and third chambers inflate side-by-side.

14. The airbag system of claim 12 wherein the first airbag portion includes only the first chamber, the first chamber having a first width, and wherein the second airbag portion includes a third chamber separate from the first and second chambers but in fluid communication with the first and second chambers, wherein the second and third chambers inflate side-by-side and together have a second width that is approximately equal to the first width.

15. The airbag system of claim 12 wherein the multi-chamber airbag further includes an active vent, and wherein the airbag system further includes:

a first inflator in fluid communication with the multi-chamber airbag; and

a second inflator operably connected to the active vent via a gas hose, wherein in operation, the first inflator is configured to rapidly inflate the first and second airbag portions in response to a dynamic event above a preset magnitude, and wherein the second inflator is configured to subsequently inflate the gas hose and open the active vent to rapidly deflate the first and second airbag portions.

16. An airbag assembly configured to protect an occupant seated in an aircraft seat in the event of an accident or other significant dynamic event, the airbag assembly comprising:

a first airbag portion having at least a first chamber;

a second airbag portion having second and third chambers in fluid communication with the first chamber, wherein the second and third chambers are configured to inflate side-by-side and the first chamber is configured to inflate adjacent to the second and third chambers;

an active vent operably coupled to at least one of the first or second airbag portions;

a first inflator;

a second inflator;

a first gas hose having a first end portion operably coupled to the first inflator and a second end portion in fluid communication with the first, second, and third chambers; and

a second gas hose having a first end portion operably coupled to the second inflator and a second end portion operably coupled to the active vent, wherein the first inflator is configured to rapidly inflate the first and second airbag portions via the first gas hose in response to a first signal, and wherein the second inflator is configured to rapidly inflate the second gas hose and activate the active vent in response to a second signal, after the first signal.

17. The airbag assembly of claim 16:

wherein at least one of the first or second airbag portions includes an exterior panel having an opening therein,

wherein the active vent includes a vent panel releasably attached to the exterior panel to at least partially cover the opening therein, and

wherein rapid inflation of the second gas hose in response to the second signal causes the vent panel to at least partially separate from the exterior panel and enable rapid deflation of the first and second airbag portions via the opening.

18. The airbag assembly of claim 16:

wherein at least one of the first or second airbag portions includes an exterior panel having an opening therein,

wherein the active vent includes a vent panel releasably attached to the exterior panel to at least partially cover the opening therein,

wherein the second end portion of the second gas hose is operably sandwiched between a portion of the exterior panel and a portion of the vent panel, and

wherein rapid inflation of the second gas hose in response to the second signal causes the vent panel to at least partially separate from the exterior panel and enable rapid deflation of the first and second airbag portions via the opening.

19. The airbag assembly of claim 16:

wherein at least one of the first or second airbag portions includes an exterior panel having an opening therein,

wherein the active vent includes a vent panel having a perimeter portion releasably attached to the exterior panel with stitching to at least partially cover the opening therein,

wherein the second end portion of the second gas hose is operably sandwiched between a portion of the exterior panel and the perimeter portion of the vent panel, and

wherein rapid inflation of the second gas hose in response to the second signal ruptures the stitching, thereby enabling the vent panel to at least partially separate from the exterior panel for rapid deflation of the first and second airbag portions via the opening.

20. The airbag assembly of claim 19 wherein the perimeter portion of the vent panel is releasably attached to the exterior panel with a single needle chain stitch.