MXPA98000931A - Side air bag incorporated in the outside armrest of a vehic - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a vehicle side impact air bag system, wherein the air bag is located on an external armrest pivotally attached to the seat of a vehicle. During a collision, a cover panel located on an opening on the outer side of the armrest is released, and the air bag deploys outwardly through the opening, away from the occupant and against the vehicle door. Preferably, the airbag fills the entire space between the occupant and the door, in order to protect the torso, neck, and head of the occupant during the collision. The system of the invention can be used with a vertically movable door or with a conventional door

Description

SIDE AIR BAG INCORPORATED IN THE EXTERNAL ARMREST OF A VEHICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to restriction systems in vehicles, and in particular to inflatable "airbag" systems that can be deployed from the external armrests on the seats of the vehicles. 2. Discussion of the Prior Art Inflatable air bags used to protect the occupants of a vehicle during a collision are well known in the restriction system art. Typically, these devices are located on the steering wheel in the dashboard, and deployed in the event of a frontal collision. It has also been previously proposed to locate the air pockets on the outer side of the vehicle occupants to absorb the energy during a side impact, or during a collision having at least one side component. Different mounting locations have been proposed, including locating the airbag in the seatback portion, the bottom of the seat, a door panel, a door-mounted armrest, or the roof of the vehicle above the door . From these positions, the airbag can inflate in the area between the occupant and the door. During a collision of sufficient energy, an impact sensor triggers a gas generator that quickly inflates the airbag. Because the airbag must be filled so quickly in order to protect the occupant, its operation is essentially a contained explosion. As such, accidents can occur for the occupant, apart from the collision itself, when the airbag is deployed normally. In the design of airbag systems, a balance must be struck between ensuring that the airbag deploys fast enough to protect a vehicle occupant during a high-speed collision, and reducing the risk of accident due to an airbag that inflates quickly. The design challenge becomes more difficult for side-impact airbag systems. Compared to a frontal impact, there is very little time or distance between a side impact and the intrusion on the occupant. Unlike a frontal impact, there is essentially no time or distance for the energy to be absorbed in the folded areas of the vehicle, or for the impact to travel through the structure of the vehicle before reaching the occupant. An airbag should inflate even more quickly in a side impact than in a frontal impact, in order to cushion the impact occupant, and help protect against physical intrusion in the seat area. Also, there is much less space on one side of the occupant to deploy an airbag, oppositely in front of a seated occupant. Consequently, side-impact airbags inherently provide less collision protection and greater exposure to deployable accidents than conventional airbags for frontal collisions. Because of this, the location of the side impact air bag and the direction of deployment are critical design criteria. Air pockets located in the armrests or door panels have a number of drawbacks. These types of configurations typically require that the airbag deploy directly towards the head or torso of the occupant, in a manner much like an airbag mounted on the front, but with less distance between the airbag stored and the airbag. occupier, and less time for deployment. This increases the risk of an accident due to deployment. In order to protect the head of the occupant during a collision, a separate air bag must be deployed from the roof, or alternatively the airbag mounted on the armrest must extend from the occupant's lower torso upwards to his head when Inflate the air bag. This long distance requires more inflation time and / or a more violent gas explosion to inflate, also increasing the risk of accident. When it extends upward toward the occupant's head from the armrest, the air bag may become clogged or trapped in the seat, occupant, or clothing. More forced inflation may be required to ensure that the air bag extends fully into the narrow area between the occupant and the door. In this configuration, the airbag inflates to the side of the box of the lower ribs of the occupant. This violent explosion of the expanding air bag not only presents a danger to the rib cage, but also pushes the external side arm of the occupant upward, which can cause a serious accident, or affect the full deployment of the air bag Another problem associated with an air bag mounted on the armrest of the door or panel is its inability to remain optimally positioned between the occupant and the door or side of the vehicle. Because the occupant can typically adjust the seat in a variety of directions, the air bag must be made larger to cover all possible seat positions. Otherwise, the occupant's limbs will not be protected in certain seating positions. Even with a larger air pocket, cushioning may not focus precisely on the occupant, and the aforementioned problems, such as deployment time, deployment force, and obstructions, are exacerbated. An airbag mounted on a door armrest is also susceptible to displacement during a collision. When a second vehicle gets into the door structure of the first vehicle, the position or orientation of the air bag in the door of the first vehicle can be altered sufficiently to cause improper deployment of the air bag. For example, the air bag can be pushed into the vehicle, or even into the outer side of the occupant, before it can be deployed properly. Some of the above problems can be resolved by locating the side impact air bag in the seat back or bottom cushion. In these places, the airbag moves with the occupant when the seat is adjusted, so that the airbag remains optimally focused on the occupant, and does not have to be larger than necessary. The airbag is also further from the impact, giving you more time to deploy. However, in these places, the airbag deploys directly adjacent to the occupant, increasing the risk of an accident. The possibility of objects that interfere with the proper deployment of the airbag is also a problem. During an accident, the occupant may block or partially obstruct the initial deployment of the airbag, or it may become stuck on the seat, armrest, inner surface of the door, or seat belt. Also, when the airbag is mounted on the bottom of the seat, it has a longer distance to travel to fully unfold than an airbag mounted on the door armrest or the door panel. What is needed, and which does not exist in the prior art, is a side impact airbag system that deploys the airbag from a central location to the occupant, a location that remains centrally focused on the occupant, even when change the position of the seat, and that it is deployed in such a way as to minimize both the risk of an accident due to deployment, and the possibility of the air bag becoming lodged on the occupant or on adjacent objects. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air bag configured to deploy in the event of a lateral impact inside a pivotally mounted armrest located on the outer side of a vehicle seat, to be located centrally with respect to the external side of the vehicle occupant. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the armrest is connected to, and can be moved with, the seat, to remain centrally focused on the occupant over a wide range of seat adjustment positions. In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the airbag system is configured to deploy from the vehicle occupant, to significantly reduce the chance of an accident by deployment. In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the air bag system is configured to deploy outwardly against a generally smooth internal surface of a vehicle door. As there is no armrest located on the door, the air bag will not hang on the armrest or on the occupant's arm when it is deployed. In the preferred embodiment, the armrest is pivotally mounted to the outer side of the seat backrest, and can be retracted up along the side of the seatback to allow easy entry for the vehicle occupant. The armrest is manually or automatically lowered to an operative position parallel to the bottom of the seat when in use.

Preferably, a cover panel is jointed to the outer side of the armrest, and is opened during a collision to expose an opening in the armrest, through which the air bag deploys. The advantages for an outwardly located armrest that attaches to the seat, instead of joining the door, are disclosed in the original application Serial Number 07 / 912,790, now Patent Number 5,378,036, issued on January 3, 1995 to John A. Townsend, and entitled IMPROVEMENTS IN SLIDING AUTOMOBILE DOOR (IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AUTOMOBILE SLIDING DOOR), incorporated herein by reference. These advantages include being able to automatically present a seat belt to an occupant, making the armrest optimally positioned to be used independently of the seat position adjustment, providing optimally localized passive protection from side impact, such as a progressively deformable cross member, operating the opening or closing of a vertically sliding door with the armrest, and allowing the entire seat and restraint system to be manufactured and installed in the vehicle as a single integrated unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing the armrest of the invention in its operative position, with the air bag stored (and showing the armrest in a retracted position in disconnected line). Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the armrest of the invention with the airbag deployed. Figure 3 is a front elevation view showing the armrest of the invention with the airbag deployed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODE Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the preferred embodiment of the armrest of the invention 10 is shown in conjunction with a driver's seat 12. Installation of the armrest on the passenger seat would result in mirror images. of these figures. The armrest can also be used in a similar way with the rear seats of a vehicle. Referring to Figure 3, the armrest 10 is mounted on the outer side of the seat 12, between the vehicle occupant and the vehicle door 14. The present invention can be used with a conventional vehicle door, but is preferably used in conjunction with a vertically sliding door. The advantages and design of a vertically sliding door are fully described in the original application with Serial No. 07 / 912,790, filed on July 13, 1992, issued as Patent Number 5,378,036 on January 3, 1995. Referring to the Figure 1, the armrest 10 is preferably pivotally mounted to the backrest 16 of the seat 12. As shown, the armrest 10 operates like a conventional armrest when the occupant of the vehicle sits. To allow easy ingress and egress, the armrest 10 preferably pivots about the axis of the pivot 15 to the retracted position up along the side of the backrest 16 (shown in discontinuous lines), or alternatively down adjacent to the lower part of the backrest. seat 18. The movement of the armrest between the retracted and operative positions, can be driven manually or in an automatic way. The advantages and design of an external armrest that is retracted, and the manner in which it can be used to present a safety belt clip for the occupant of the vehicle, are fully described in a patent application related to Serial Number 08 / 477,200, filed June 7, 1995, incorporated herein by reference. The air bag 20 (not shown in its position stored in Figure 1, but shown shown in Figures 2 and 3), is located inside the armrest 10, preferably towards the rear of the armrest 10 adjacent to the occupant's hip. . The cover panel 22 protects the air bag 20 when it is not being used, in its saved position. Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the deployment of the air bag 20 will now be described. Preferably an impact sensor 23, well known in this field, is located on the side of the vehicle or on the door 14, and triggers the deployment of the air bag 20 when a collision having a side component is detected. A gas generator (not shown, but well known in this field) is energized to inflate the air bag 20. At the same time, the cover panel 22 can be released by an electronic latch (not shown) that would inhibit the forcing of the airbag 20 when not in use. Alternatively, the cover panel 22 can be pushed open by the thrust of the expanding air bag 20. Preferably, the cover panel 22 is hingedly connected along its lower edge with the armrest 10. , to allow the cover panel 22 to pivot outwards and downwards, allowing the air bag 20 to expand upwards without restrictions. Alternatively, the cover panel 22 can be held in place entirely by stops (not shown) when the air bag 20 is stored, and is pushed completely free of the opening by the force of the air bag that is is deploying 20. Referring to Figure 3, the air bag 20 emerges from the armrest 10 in an outward direction. Because the airbag that is being deployed is not directed towards the occupant, the risk of an accident due to deployment is minimized. Also, since the air bag 20 deploys against the predictable smooth inner surface of the door 14, there is little chance that the air bag 20 will become trapped on anything as it extends upward towards the head of the occupant. Because the armrest 10 is provided on the seat 12 rather than on the door 14, there is no need for protrusions or recessed areas in the door 14. If a vertically sliding door is used, the door levers are removed, and The door and window buttons can be located on a board or console leaving the internal surface of the door 14 free of obstructions. After the air bag 20 is deployed against the interior of the door 14, it rapidly extends upwards along the door to a fully deployed position, where the air bag 20 can protect the occupant's torso during a lateral impact, and preferably extends up to the head of the occupant to protect it also. Because the air bag 20 is deployed outwardly, the armrest 10 is located between the hip of the occupant and the air bag 20 during a collision. In accordance with the above, armrest 10, including its internal structure, and that of any airbag storage box (not shown), must be designed to be collapsible, in order to absorb the energy during a collision, or that at least do not contain parts that cause accidents if the occupant is lashed against them. Preferably, the armrest 10 includes a progressively deformable material, wherein the space allows to provide protection during any degree of collision. For the present invention to function properly during a collision, the armrest 10 obviously must be in the operative position shown in the Figures, and not in the retracted position (shown in discontinuous lines). A suitable interlocking device or warning system should be used, especially if the armrest is configured to move manually, in order to prevent the vehicle being driven with the armrest in the retracted position. It is preferable that the armrest 10 of the present invention be constructed in a seat having a fully integrated restriction system, as shown. In this seat, the lower anchor point of the belt 24, and the locking mechanism of the clasp 26, are securely attached to the lower structure of the seat 12, instead of the floor of the vehicle, like conventional seatbelt systems. Also, the reel and belt tensioner unit 28 is integrated into the seat tab 30, instead of being mounted on the vehicle roof or on the B-pillar. The airbag 20 is much less likely to hang on the belt. of the shoulder 32 when the belt tensioner and the spool 28 is located in the seat 12 instead of directly on the vehicle. Other advantages of integrating a seatbelt system into the seat are fully described in Patent Application Related to Serial Number 08 / 477,200, filed on June 7, 1995. The seatbelt system operates in a conventional manner , and should be used in conjunction with the airbag system. The above descriptions and drawings are for illustrative purposes only, and are not exhaustive of the possible alternative embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the only embodiments described above and illustrated herein, but encompasses any and all variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the foregoing invention, it is considered as a novelty, and therefore, property is claimed as contained in the following: CLAIMS 1. An air bag restriction apparatus to protect the occupant of a vehicle , which comprises: a armrest attached to, and movable with, a vehicle seat, locating the armrest adjacent to an outer side of the seat, - an airbag stored inside the armrest, - an impact sensor for firing the deployment of the airbag during a collision, where the airbag deploys outward, away from the occupant of the vehicle.
2. 2. An air bag restraint device according to claim 1, characterized in that the air bag deploys outwardly against the door of a vehicle, and expands upwards along the door to protect the torso, the neck, and the head of the occupant, of the lateral impact.
3. 3. An air bag restraint apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a panel cover releasably connected to an external side of the armrest, to alternately cover and uncover an opening on the outer side of the armrest , the panel cover serving to cover the air bag when it is stored inside the armrest, and being released outwardly during a collision to discover the air bag, and allowing the airbag to deploy through the opening.
4. 4. An air bag restraint device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the cover panel includes a lower edge that is hingedly connected to the armrest, which allows the cover panel to pivot outward and downwardly. when the opening of the armrest is discovered.
5. 5. An air bag restraint apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the armrest is pivotally attached to a backrest portion of the seat.
6. 6. In a motor vehicle having a side door that can be moved between a closed position and an open position, and a passenger seat located inside of, and adjacent to, the door, this seat having a backrest portion arranged upwardly and a lower seat portion disposed at a level below the backrest portion, the improvement comprising: a) a armrest carried by the seat in an arrangement located between the seat and the door, to move between a retracted position which allows entry and egress substantially unobstructed to the seat or through the door when it is opened, and an operative position disposed above the level of the lower portion of the seat and between the seat and the door, when the door is in position closed, - and b) an air bag located inside the armrest, to unfold in the event of a collision, being able to deploy the air bag outward e the armrest, moving away from the passenger and towards the door, and expanding to an area located between the door and a passenger supported by the seat.
7. 7. An air bag restraint device according to claim 6, characterized in that the air bag deploys outwardly against the door, and expands upwards along the door, to protect the torso , the neck, and the head of a passenger from the side impact.
8. 8. An air bag restraint apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the armrest is pivotally attached to the seatback portion of the seat.