Occupant protection system

The present invention relates to a system and method for protecting an occupant within a vehicle.

Conventional occupant protection systems include an inflatable restraint, such as an airbag that inflates when the vehicle experiences a collision or roll-over event. When the airbag is in the inflated state, it extends into the vehicle occupant compartment at a location adjacent to an occupant of the vehicle. In certain collisions or roll-over events, a curtain airbag, a seatback-mounted side airbag, and/or a seat cushion-mounted side airbag may be deployed for occupant protection. Although these conventional occupant protection systems help reduce injury to vehicle occupants, there exists a wide horizon for improvement. It is recognized that the coordination of the deployment and inflation of airbags in conventional systems is both cumbersome and inefficient. Additionally, conventional occupant protection systems are incapable of providing adequate occupant coverage in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

The present invention was conceived in view of these and other disadvantages of conventional occupant protection systems.

A system and method for protecting an occupant is disclosed. The occupant protection system is for a vehicle having a roof portion, wherein the roof portion includes at least one airbag recess. The system includes at least one occupant seat having a frame integrated with a backrest section and a seat section. The seat section includes a seat cushion. A first airbag assembly is included having a first inflatable airbag, wherein the first airbag assembly is containable within the airbag recess of the roof portion. A second airbag assembly is disclosed having a second inflatable airbag and a deployment location. The second airbag assembly is mounted to the frame that is integrated with the seat section and is external to the seat cushion. The first inflatable airbag is configured to extend downward from the roof portion to below a passenger shoulder-thorax protection region while in an inflated state. The second inflatable airbag is configured to extend upward from the seat section through a passenger pelvic-thorax protection region while in an inflated state.

The method of protecting occupants within a vehicle is disclosed wherein the vehicle includes a roof portion having at least one airbag recess. The vehicle also includes at least one occupant seat having a frame integrated with a backrest section and a seat section. Additionally, the seat section includes a seat cushion.

The method includes providing an occupant protection system having a first airbag assembly that includes a first inflatable airbag. The first airbag assembly is containable within the airbag recess of the roof portion. The occupant protection system also includes a second airbag assembly having a second inflatable airbag and a deployment location. The second airbag assembly is mounted to the frame that is integrated with the seat section. The second airbag assembly may be mounted to the frame while being external to the seat cushion.

The method includes sensing the occurrence of a vehicular condition. The method also includes deploying the first airbag upon sensing the vehicular condition, thereby causing inflation of the first airbag. The first airbag then extends downward from the roof portion through a passenger shoulder-thorax protection region while in an inflated state. The method also includes deploying the second airbag upon sensing the vehicular condition, thereby causing inflation of the second airbag. The inflated second airbag then extends upward from the seat section through a passenger pelvic-thorax protection region while in an inflated state. Depending upon the vehicular condition, the first bag or the second bag may be deployed in any order or simultaneously.

The above embodiments and other embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be best understood with reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle having an occupant protection system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate multiple views of an airbag assembly being mounted to a vehicle seat in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate multiple views of an airbag assembly at various orientations having deployed airbags in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a vehicle seat having an airbag assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

By way of example, a system and method for implementing the present invention is described below. The system and methodology may be adapted, modified or rearranged to best fit a particular implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a vehicle 12 is illustrated having an occupant protection system 10 . Vehicle 12 includes a door 14 that is operatively connected to a roof 16 and a floor 17 . Roof 16 includes a recess or opening 18 for placement of an airbag assembly 20 . Accordingly, occupant protection system 10 includes airbag assembly 20 having an airbag 22 , a seat 24 and an airbag assembly 30 having an airbag 34 . Seat 24 includes a backrest section 24 a and a seat section 24 b . A frame 26 may be integrated with backrest section 24 a and seat section 24 b . Additionally, frame 26 includes a seat track 28 that enables movement of seat 24 and mounting of seat 24 to floor 17 . It is recognized that frame 26 may include any rigid body capable of securing and stabilizing seat 24 to floor 17 . As such, frame 26 may also extend external to seat section 24 in a manner that enables mounting of air bag assembly 32 . Furthermore, as recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, occupant protection system 10 includes multiple sensors (not shown) that are configured to sense the occurrence of a vehicular condition, such as a side-impact or roll-over event.

As described above, airbag assembly 30 includes an airbag module 32 and an airbag 34 . In the event of a vehicular condition, such as a side impact collision, airbags 22 and 34 may be deployed in a manner that minimizes any physical impact and injury experienced by an occupant 13 . For example, in the event of a side collision with door 14 , airbag 34 is deployed and inflated so as to provide a barrier between door 14 and occupant 13 . Additionally, airbag 22 , while in a deployed and inflated state, protects occupant 13 from colliding with upper portions of door 14 . Accordingly, as shown, airbag 22 is configured to extend downward from roof 16 through a shoulder-thorax protection region 23 , thereby providing coverage for the head, neck, shoulder and thorax areas of occupant 13 . Furthermore, airbag 34 , while in a deployed and inflated state, is configured to extend upward from seat section 24 b through a pelvic-thorax protection region 35 . As such, the pelvic, mid-abdominal and thorax areas of occupant 13 are protected from impact.

In one embodiment, an air gap 36 exists between airbags 22 and 34 . In one aspect of the present invention, air gap 36 may have a length of up to 6 inches. In alternative embodiments, it is recognized that airbag 22 may physically contact airbag 34 while both are in the deployed and inflated state, thereby eliminating air gap 36 . As described in the foregoing, airbag assemblies 20 and 30 include modules 21 and 32 , respectively. Modules 21 and 32 each include an inflator that enables inflation of airbags 22 and 34 upon sensing of a vehicle condition. The inflators are capable of supplying gas to air bags 22 and 34 thereby causing inflation of airbags 22 and 34 .

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2D , multiple embodiments are shown of airbag assembly 30 being mounted to seat 24 . As illustrated, airbag assembly 30 may have various orientations with respect to seat track 28 . It is recognized that the orientation of airbag assembly 30 may vary depending on the seat design and/or performance requirements of occupant protection system 10 . Airbag assembly 30 also includes a deployment location 30 b that is an area of airbag assembly 30 from which airbag 34 ( FIG. 1 ) is deployed. For illustration purposes, deployment location 30 b includes a darker shaded line drawn normal to deployment location 30 b . Depending upon the orientation of airbag assembly 30 (specifically deployment location 30 b ), the particular coverage for the occupant may vary. In one embodiment, airbag assembly 30 may be mounted to the frame of seat 24 in a manner that enables optimal coverage for the occupant, despite movement or repositioning of seat 24 along seat track 28 . Additionally, as shown, airbag assembly 30 , which is mounted to frame 26 may be external to cushion 25 , and may have a deployment location integral with a trim panel 38 .

As described above, deployment location 30 b of airbag assembly 30 may have an orientation that varies in reference to seat track 28 . In one aspect of the present invention, the airbag assembly 30 may be mounted to the frame such that the angle measured between seat track 28 and the deployment location 30 b (or the line drawn normal to the deployment location 30 b ) ranges from 0 degrees to 120 degrees. Referring specifically to FIG. 2A , an embodiment is shown wherein the airbag module is oriented such that an angle 31 measured between seat track 28 and the line drawn normal to the deployment location 30 b is about 90 degrees. FIG. 2B illustrates an additional embodiment wherein the airbag module is oriented such that the angle 31 measured between seat track 28 and the line drawn normal to the deployment location 30 b is about 65 degrees. FIG. 2C illustrates another embodiment wherein the airbag module is oriented such that the angle measured between seat track 28 and the line drawn normal to the deployment location 30 b (which is parallel to the seat track 28 ) is 0 degrees. FIG. 2D illustrates yet another embodiment wherein the airbag module is oriented such that the angle 31 measured between seat track 28 and a line drawn normal to the deployment location 30 b is about 30 degrees. It is recognized that both the mounting location on the frame and orientation of airbag assembly 30 may vary from the illustrated embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B , additional embodiments are shown wherein airbag 34 is in a deployed and inflated state. Specifically, referring to FIG. 3A , the airbag module is oriented such that the angle 31 measured between seat track 28 and the line drawn normal to the deployment location 30 b is about 100 degrees. Referring to FIG. 3B specifically, the airbag module is oriented such that angle 31 measured between seat track 28 and the line drawn normal to the deployment location 30 b is about 90 degrees. Now referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B , the coverage for occupant 13 may be adapted to provide optimal protection as illustrated by the deployed and inflated airbags 34 .

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B , an embodiment is shown wherein airbag assembly 30 is enclosed within trim panel 38 . Accordingly, trim panel 38 is attachable to the seat section of seat 24 . As such, upon deployment and inflation of the airbag, trim panel 38 may detach, open, and/or separate from the seat section. The variations described in attaching the airbag assembly 30 , in terms of location, orientation and packaging enables it to be deployed without interference with both seat mounted and vehicle body mounted seatbelt systems. The embodiments shown enable the airbag to deploy and inflate without interference from a seatbelt 35 , a reclining lever 33 or other seat controls. FIG. 4B illustrates yet another example wherein airbag 34 is in an inflated state after being deployed, thereby providing protection for the pelvic-thorax region of the occupant.

While the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.