Active Bolster Assembly

• US 20130328291A1
• Filed: 02/06/2012
• Published: 12/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABC Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Salflex Polymers Limited
• Inventors: Roychoudhury, Raj S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,254,808 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0051 Knees
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0273 automatically movable to an operative position, e.g. in case of collision or impending collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/02 Occupant safety arrangements or fittings , e.g. crash pads seat belts with crash pads B60R22/14; removable children's seats having a front guard or barrier B60N2/2839
• 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

Abstract

An inflatable active bolster for a vehicle occupant, the active bolster comprising a front wall and a rear wall, the front and rear walls being interconnected to form a hollow chamber. The front wall has deformable features that permit the hollow chamber to volumetrically expand upon inflation of the hollow chamber by an inflator. The active bolster further includes a reaction plate for attachment of the active bolster to a suitable vehicle mount structure. The hollow chamber is attached to the reaction plate through a releasable engagement mechanism. The active bolster provides for snap-in installation, and easier detachment for servicing.

Claims

1. An inflatable active bolster for a vehicle occupant, the active bolster comprising:

a front panel and a rear panel, said front and rear panels being interconnected to form a hollow chamber, said front panel having deformable features that permit said hollow chamber to volumetrically expand upon inflation of said hollow chamber by an inflator; and

a reaction plate for attachment of said active bolster to a suitable vehicle mount structure,

wherein said hollow chamber is attached to said reaction plate through a releasable engagement mechanism.

2. The active bolster according to claim 1, wherein said hollow chamber is a multi-piece structure, with said front and rear panels being separately formed.

3. The active bolster according to claim 1, wherein said hollow chamber is a single-piece structure.

4. The active bolster according to claim 1, wherein said releasable engagement mechanism comprises one or more hooks provided on said front panel of said hollow chamber, said hooks being configured to engage one or more mounting rods provided on a forward surface of said reaction plate.

5. The active bolster according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of said hooks are provided, said hooks passing through respective holes provided in said reaction plate to engage said one or more mounting rods.

6. The active bolster according to 4, wherein said one or more mounting rods are removable from said reaction plate, permitting for disengagement from said one or more hooks.

7. The active bolster according to claim 4, wherein a single mounting rod is provided to engage all of said one or more hooks.

8. The active bolster according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of mounting rods are provided.

9. The active bolster according to claim 4, wherein said one or more mounting rods are retained on said reaction plate through respective rod mount brackets provided on said forward surface of said reaction plate.

10. The active bolster according to claim 9, wherein each of said rod mount brackets provide one or more rod alignment surfaces to facilitate passage/positioning of a respective mounting rod therethrough.

11. The active bolster according to claim 10, wherein said rod alignment surfaces are lined with suitable grommets or bushings.

12. The active bolster according to claim 9, wherein said rod mount brackets are separately formed and attached to said reaction plate.

13. The active bolster according to claim 9, wherein said rod mount brackets are formed by way of cutouts, where said brackets are integral with said reaction plate.

14. The active bolster according to claim 4, wherein said hooks comprise a flange that is anchored between said front and rear panels.

15. The active bolster according to claim 14, wherein upon installation of said hollow chamber on said reaction plate, said hooks laterally displace to allow passage around said one or more mounting rods, said hooks snapping into engagement upon sufficient installation force.

16. The active bolster according to claim 15, wherein said hooks are substantially rigid structures, said hooks laterally displacing on installation through angular displacement of said flange between said front and real panels of said hollow chamber.

17. The active bolster according to claim 15, wherein said hooks are formed of a material that permits for lateral displacement through lateral deflection of a shaft portion of said hooks.