GB2412092A - Vehicle seat with anti-submarining air-bag on a support plate - Google Patents

Vehicle seat with anti-submarining air-bag on a support plate Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2412092A
GB2412092A GB0405876A GB0405876A GB2412092A GB 2412092 A GB2412092 A GB 2412092A GB 0405876 A GB0405876 A GB 0405876A GB 0405876 A GB0405876 A GB 0405876A GB 2412092 A GB2412092 A GB 2412092A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
air
bag
support plate
seat
frame
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0405876A
Other versions
GB0405876D0 (en
Inventor
Christian Lang
Marcus Wagner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Autoliv Development AB
Original Assignee
Autoliv Development AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Autoliv Development AB filed Critical Autoliv Development AB
Priority to GB0405876A priority Critical patent/GB2412092A/en
Publication of GB0405876D0 publication Critical patent/GB0405876D0/en
Publication of GB2412092A publication Critical patent/GB2412092A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/42—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/207—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in vehicle seats
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/217—Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
    • B60R21/2171—Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

An air-bag arrangement is disclosed which comprises an air-bag (41) associated with a gas generator 40. The air-bag (41) and the gas generator (40) are mounted on a support plate (30) which is provided with mounting means to mount the support plate (30) to a seat-squab-frame (20). The invention also relates to a method of assembling a vehicle seat in which an air-bag unit comprising a gas generator (40) and an inflatable air-bag (41) is mounted on the support plate (30). The method also involves the step of mounting the support plate (30) to a seat frame (20). Preferably, the air-bag unit is pre-mounted to the support plate. By positioning the air-bag on a seat pan beneath the thighs of the seat occupant it is intended to have an anti-submarining effect in the event of an impact.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO AN AIR-BAG
ARRANGEMENT AND A METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A VEHICLE
1 0 SEAT" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to an air-bag arrangement and more particularly relates to an air-bag arrangement for use on a vehicle seat. The invention also relates to a method of assembling a vehicle seat.
It has been proposed to provide, on a vehicle seat, an air-bag located under the front part of the squab of the seat, the air-bag being provided to be inflated in the event than an accident should occur. The inflated air-bag is positioned underneath the thighs of the seat occupant. Should the seat occupant tend to "submarine" with the hips of the seat occupant sliding forwardly beneath a restraining seat-belt, the buttocks of the seat occupant will engage the inflated air-bag, which will resist the submarining movement of the seat occupant.
It has been proposed previously to provide such an air-bag mounted in position on a pressed seat pan.
The pressed seat pan is relatively heavy, and the air-bag unit which is to be mounted to the seat pan, must be designed to have sufficient integrity to withstand transportation without the air-bag unit becoming damaged.
S According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air-bag arrangement, the air-bag arrangement comprising an air-bag associated with a gas generator, the air-bag and the gas generator being mounted on a support plate, the support plate being provided with mounting means to mount the support plate to a seat-squab-frame.
Preferably, the support plate is mounted to a seat-squab-frame, the frame defining a large central aperture, the support plate extending across at least part of the aperture.
Advantageously, the seat frame is provided with apertures to receive fastening elements to secure the plate to the frame.
Conveniently, the air-bag is an anti-submarining air-bag.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a vehicle seat, the method comprising the steps of: providing an air-bag unit comprising a gas generator and an inflatable air-bag; mounting the air-bag unit to a support plate; and mounting said support plate to a seat frame.
Preferably, the air-bag unit is provided pre-mounted to the support plate.
Advantageously, the seat frame defines a large central aperture, and wherein said step of mounting said support plate involves mounting the support plate so as to extend across at least part of the aperture.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved air-bag arrangement, and an improved method of assembling a vehicle seat.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, an embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to: FIGURE 1 illustrates part of a prior proposed seat with an air-bag in an uninflated condition, FIGURE 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 illustrating the air-bag when inflated, FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of an air-bag arrangement in accordance with the invention, and FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a support plate forming part of the invention, mounted to a seat frame.
Referring initially to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, part of a seat pan 1 of a motor vehicle is shown. The seat pan is pressed from metal.
The seat pan presents a forward-most lip 2 to be located beneath the thighs of the seat occupant. Formed in the seat pan is a downwardly directed depression 3 which is centrally located. The depression 3 has an inclined front wall 4, which is provided, substantially at its mid part, with a semi-cylindrical recess 5. The recess 3 has an upwardly inclined rear wall 6. The recess 3 is formed in the otherwise flush surface 7 of the seat pan 1.
An air-bag arrangement 8 is shown positioned in the recess of the seat pan 1. The air-bag arrangement incorporates a cylindrical gas generator9 which is received within the semi-cylindrical recess 5. The gas generator is in communication with an air-bag 10 which is initially in a folded state. The upper surface 11 of the air-bag unit 8 is substantially flush with the upper part 7 of the seat pan 1.
On inflation of the air-bag, the air-bag occupies a position generally as shown in Figure 2, the air-bag 10 being inflated and extending not only above the recess 3 but also above the flush upper surface 7 of the seat pan 1. When in this position, the air-bag may serve to prevent forward movement of the buttocks of a seat occupant, thus preventing "submarining".
Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, instead of having a seat pan 1 formed of a pressed metal sheet, a seat frame element 20 is provided. The seat frame element 20 defines a large central aperture 21, and the parts of the frame element are conEned to the periphery of the aperture 21. A forward part of the frame element 20 is provided with, at each side, a shaped engagement formation 22, 23, and respective mounting apertures 24, 25.
The side parts of the frame are provided with inner substantially vertical walls 26, 27, each terminating with an inwardly directed horizontal flange only one of which, 28, is visible. s
Because the seat pan consists only of a seat frame 20, the seat may be manufactured to have a very light weight. This minimises the use of material and also minimises subsequent transport costs.
A support plate 30 is provided which is to be mounted within the seat pan. The support plate 30 serves, effectively, to define a recess corresponding to the recess 3 of the prior art embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
The support plate 30 has a forward generally upwardly extending wall 31. The wall 31 is provided, at two opposed sides thereof, with engagement formations 32, 33 which have shapes corresponding to the shapes of the engagement formations 22, 23 provided on the frame 20. The inclined front wall is also provided with two mounting apertures 34, 35 corresponding to the mounting apertures 24, 25 provided on the frame.
A second part of the support plate comprises a rearwardly extending generally planar region 35. The rear edge of the planar region is provided oppositely directed outwardly and upwardly directed lugs 36, 37.
The planar region 35 is provided with apertures 38.
The support plate 30 may be mounted to the frame 20, as shown in Figure 4, with the engagement formations 32, 33 being directly superimposed on the corresponding engagement formations 22, 23 provided on the frame.
The apertures 34 and 35 in the support plate 30 are then co-aligned with the apertures 24 and 25 in the frame 20. Fastening elements such as plastic bolts, or plastic snap-fasteners, may be inserted through the coaligned apertures to secure the components together. The outwardly and upwardly directed lugs 36, 37 will rest on the flanges, such as the flanges 28, provided at the lower edge of the vertical side-walls 26 of the side parts of the frame. The upwardly directed terminal parts of the lugs 36, 37 will lie in abutting relationship with the vertical faces 26, 27 of the side-walls. The support pan is thus firmly mounted in position.
Mounted on the support pan is an air-bag unit. The air-bag unit may comprise a cylindrical gas generator 40 as shown in Figure 3 and an associated air-bag 41 which will, of course, initially be folded. The gas generator 40 may be located in the region adjacent the junction between the upwardly inclined front wall 30 and the main planar region 35 of the support plate 30. Of course, in alternative embodiments of the invention, other designs may be utilised. The inclined front wall 31 may be provided with a semi-cylindrical recess corresponding to the recess 5 as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively a gas generator may be provided which is mounted on the underside of the support plate 30, being mounted, for example, by means of the apertures 38.
The air-bag 41 may be a fabric air-bag, a metal air-bag, or a plastic air bag.
The support plate 30 and the air-bag unit consisting of the gas generator 40 and the air-bag 41 may be provided separately, but it is envisaged that it may be most appropriate for the support plate and the air-bag unit to be manufactured as a single component for shipment to the car assembly plant.
The support plate, together with the air-bag unit pre-mounted thereon, may then be rapidly connected to the seat frame 20 to provide the complete sub-structure forming the seat squab.
It is to be appreciated that whilst one form of support plate has been illustrated, many alternative arrangements could be provided. The support plate may be large enough to substantially fill the entire aperture 21 formed in the seat frame. The support plate may be mounted in position using different expedients.
When used in this Specification and Claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or lO integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following Claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (10)

  1. CLAIMS: 1. An air-bag arrangement, the air-bag arrangement comprising an
    air-bag associated with a gas generator, the air-bag and the gas generator being mounted on a support plate, the support plate being provided with mounting means to mount the support plate to a seat-squab-frame.
  2. 2. An air-bag arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein the support plate is mounted to a seat-squab-frame, the frame defining a large central aperture, the support plate extending across at least part of the aperture.
  3. 3. An air-bag arrangement according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the seat frame is provided with apertures to receive fastening elements to secure the plate to the frame.
  4. 4. An air-bag arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the air-bag is an anti-submarining air-bag.
  5. 5. A method of assembling a vehicle seat, the method comprising the steps of: providing an air-bag unit comprising a gas generator and an inflatable air-bag; mounting the air-bag unit to a support plate; and mounting said support plate to a seat frame.
  6. 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the air-bag unit is provided pre- mounted to the support plate.
  7. 7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the seat frame defines a large central aperture, and wherein said step of mounting said support plate involves mounting the support plate so as to extend across at least part of the aperture.
  8. 8. An air-bag arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to and a shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
  9. 9. A method of assembling a vehicle seat satisfactorily as herein described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
  10. 10. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein
GB0405876A 2004-03-16 2004-03-16 Vehicle seat with anti-submarining air-bag on a support plate Withdrawn GB2412092A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0405876A GB2412092A (en) 2004-03-16 2004-03-16 Vehicle seat with anti-submarining air-bag on a support plate

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0405876A GB2412092A (en) 2004-03-16 2004-03-16 Vehicle seat with anti-submarining air-bag on a support plate

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0405876D0 GB0405876D0 (en) 2004-04-21
GB2412092A true GB2412092A (en) 2005-09-21

Family

ID=32117777

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0405876A Withdrawn GB2412092A (en) 2004-03-16 2004-03-16 Vehicle seat with anti-submarining air-bag on a support plate

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2412092A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007101689A1 (en) 2006-03-08 2007-09-13 Autoliv Development Ab Safety arrangement in a vehicle seat

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH05229378A (en) * 1992-02-20 1993-09-07 Toyota Motor Corp Vehicle seat
US5738368A (en) * 1996-08-29 1998-04-14 General Motors Corporation Restraint system for rear seat occupant
US20020050702A1 (en) * 2000-10-25 2002-05-02 Alexander Aulbach Passenger protection device for motor vehicles
JP2002264749A (en) * 2001-03-07 2002-09-18 Takata Corp Occupant protector
GB2385028A (en) * 2002-02-12 2003-08-13 Autoliv Dev An inflatable safety arrangement
WO2004030980A1 (en) * 2002-10-01 2004-04-15 Dalphimetal Ltd. Vehicle seat with a pelvis energy management device

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH05229378A (en) * 1992-02-20 1993-09-07 Toyota Motor Corp Vehicle seat
US5738368A (en) * 1996-08-29 1998-04-14 General Motors Corporation Restraint system for rear seat occupant
US20020050702A1 (en) * 2000-10-25 2002-05-02 Alexander Aulbach Passenger protection device for motor vehicles
JP2002264749A (en) * 2001-03-07 2002-09-18 Takata Corp Occupant protector
GB2385028A (en) * 2002-02-12 2003-08-13 Autoliv Dev An inflatable safety arrangement
WO2004030980A1 (en) * 2002-10-01 2004-04-15 Dalphimetal Ltd. Vehicle seat with a pelvis energy management device

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007101689A1 (en) 2006-03-08 2007-09-13 Autoliv Development Ab Safety arrangement in a vehicle seat
DE102006011105B4 (en) * 2006-03-08 2010-09-16 Autoliv Development Ab Safety arrangement in a vehicle seat
US7997611B2 (en) 2006-03-08 2011-08-16 Autoliv Development Ab Safety arrangement in a vehicle seat

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0405876D0 (en) 2004-04-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1240049B1 (en) A vehicle seat
US6406056B2 (en) Air bag device for passenger's seat
US7350803B2 (en) Side airbag system
US7267363B2 (en) Air-bag unit mounted on a seat
JP4850563B2 (en) Vehicle seat, vehicle, airbag module
US8398166B2 (en) Vehicle seat assembly
US20110221257A1 (en) Vehicle seat assembly
US20060119149A1 (en) Passenger-protecting apparatus
EP0826565A3 (en) Seat trim deployment cover for side airbag module
US7559605B2 (en) Vehicle seat, motor vehicle, and airbag module
US6422590B1 (en) Holder for mounting an air bag module
US6634710B1 (en) Vehicle seat assembly having child seat attachments
JP2009154691A (en) Vehicular seat
US20170313223A1 (en) Seat back structure
JP2007276600A (en) Vehicle seat, vehicle, and airbag module
US9932012B1 (en) Inner carrier and back panel having alternating trim and side airbag attachments
CA2310221A1 (en) A floor for a transport means and profiles for the construction thereof as well as a vehicle provided with such a floor
JP4812466B2 (en) Vehicle seat, vehicle, airbag module
WO2016004085A1 (en) Side airbag module and assembly
GB2291628A (en) Seat and seat belt anchorage arrangements for buses and minibuses
GB2412092A (en) Vehicle seat with anti-submarining air-bag on a support plate
JP2007276567A (en) Occupant restraint system and vehicle seat
JP4673415B2 (en) Vehicle seat
EP1842737B1 (en) Motor vehicle seat, motor vehicle, and airbag module
JP3585433B2 (en) Vehicle child seat fixing structure

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)