Energy absorption systems for vehicles
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment;
a first seat assembly mounted with respect to the vehicle body, said first seat assembly including a first seatback portion having a frame;
a second seat assembly mounted with respect to the vehicle body rearward of the first seat assembly;
an energy absorber mounted with respect to the first seatback portion and being positionable between the frame of the first seatback portion and the second seat assembly;
wherein the energy absorber is a selectively inflatable restraint cushion mounted with respect to the vehicle body;
wherein the cushion is selectively inflatable from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration;
wherein the cushion in the deployed configuration is between the first seatback portion and the second seat assembly;
wherein the vehicle includes a third seat assembly forward of the second seat assembly and laterally positioned with respect to the first seat assembly;
wherein the third seat assembly includes a second seatback portion; and
wherein the cushion in the deployed configuration extends laterally such that a first portion of the cushion is directly rearward of the first seatback portion and a second portion of the cushion is directly rearward of the second seatback portion.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle includes an energy absorber that is positionable rearward of a passenger seat to absorb energy from a force having a forward component and being directed toward the rear surface of the passenger seat. In one exemplary embodiment, the energy absorber is a cellular material. In another exemplary embodiment, the energy absorber is a selectively inflatable cushion. A corresponding seat assembly is also provided.
-
Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A vehicle comprising:
-
a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment; a first seat assembly mounted with respect to the vehicle body, said first seat assembly including a first seatback portion having a frame; a second seat assembly mounted with respect to the vehicle body rearward of the first seat assembly; an energy absorber mounted with respect to the first seatback portion and being positionable between the frame of the first seatback portion and the second seat assembly; wherein the energy absorber is a selectively inflatable restraint cushion mounted with respect to the vehicle body; wherein the cushion is selectively inflatable from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration; wherein the cushion in the deployed configuration is between the first seatback portion and the second seat assembly; wherein the vehicle includes a third seat assembly forward of the second seat assembly and laterally positioned with respect to the first seat assembly; wherein the third seat assembly includes a second seatback portion; and wherein the cushion in the deployed configuration extends laterally such that a first portion of the cushion is directly rearward of the first seatback portion and a second portion of the cushion is directly rearward of the second seatback portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A vehicle comprising:
-
a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment; a first seat assembly mounted with respect to the vehicle body, said first seat assembly including a first seatback portion having a frame; a second seat assembly mounted with respect to the vehicle body rearward of the first seat assembly; an energy absorber mounted with respect to the vehicle body and being positionable between the frame of the first seatback portion and the second seat assembly; wherein the energy absorber is a selectively inflatable restraint cushion mounted with respect to the vehicle body, wherein the cushion is selectively inflatable from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration, and wherein the cushion in the deployed configuration is between the first seatback portion and the second seat assembly; wherein the vehicle includes a third seat assembly forward of the second seat assembly and laterally positioned with respect to the first seat assembly, wherein the third seat assembly includes a second seatback portion, and wherein the cushion in the deployed configuration extends laterally such that a first portion of the cushion is directly rearward of the first seatback portion and a second portion of the cushion is directly rearward of the second seatback portion; wherein the first seat assembly and the third seat assembly are spaced a distance apart from one another; wherein the vehicle further includes a console between the first seat assembly and the third seat assembly; wherein the cushion in the deployed configuration includes a third portion between the first and second portions; and wherein the third portion of the cushion is characterized by a greater height dimension than the first and second portions when the cushion is in the deployed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (8)
-
Specification