US20090152848A1 - Active bolster - Google Patents

Active bolster Download PDF

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Publication number
US20090152848A1
US20090152848A1 US11/915,797 US91579706A US2009152848A1 US 20090152848 A1 US20090152848 A1 US 20090152848A1 US 91579706 A US91579706 A US 91579706A US 2009152848 A1 US2009152848 A1 US 2009152848A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
bolster
expansible
vehicle
wall
inflation
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/915,797
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Changize Sadr
Ali Totonchian
Michael Best
Rimas Ciplijauskas
Raj Roychoudhury
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US11/915,797 priority Critical patent/US20090152848A1/en
Publication of US20090152848A1 publication Critical patent/US20090152848A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • B60R21/23—Inflatable members
    • B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
    • B60R21/23138—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration specially adapted for side protection
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J5/00—Doors
    • B60J5/04—Doors arranged at the vehicle sides
    • 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
    • B60N2/90—Details or parts not otherwise provided for
    • B60N2/914—Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • 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
    • B60R21/04—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings
    • B60R21/0428—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings associated with the side doors or panels, e.g. displaced towards the occupants in case of a side collision
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B60R21/217—Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B60R21/239—Inflatable members characterised by their venting means
    • 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
    • B60R2021/0002—Type of accident
    • B60R2021/0004—Frontal collision
    • 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
    • B60R2021/0002—Type of accident
    • B60R2021/0006—Lateral collision
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
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    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/04—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings
    • B60R2021/0407—Padded linings for the vehicle interior ; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings using gas or liquid as energy absorbing means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
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    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
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    • B60R2021/132—Roll bars for convertible vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
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    • 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
    • B60R2021/2074—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in vehicle seats in head rests
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B60R2021/23107—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B60R21/23138—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration specially adapted for side protection
    • B60R2021/23146—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration specially adapted for side protection seat mounted
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B60R21/26—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow
    • B60R21/261—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid
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    • B60R2021/2612—Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
    • B60R2021/2615—Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts for diverting the gas into a plurality of bags

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to protective devices as are often installed in motor vehicles, such as automobiles, and, more particularly, the invention is directed to an inflatable bolster for use in a vehicle.
  • Such devices can be categorized as being either passive devices or active devices.
  • Passive safety devices deform to absorb energy during a crash event. Passive devices, however, remain in a fixed position during a crash event. Accordingly, there may be a relatively large distance over which the vehicle occupant may accelerate during a crash event before encountering a passive device.
  • Active safety devices are those that deploy immediately prior to a crash event so that they are positioned relatively close to the vehicle occupants. By reducing the distance between the occupant and the safety device, the occupant has less time to accelerate before encountering the safety device, and therefore is less likely to sustain injury.
  • a typical active safety device incorporates an air bag that inflates prior to a crash event.
  • the air bag is typically a fabric bag that is held in a housing until it is deployed. Air bag devices, however, add complexity and cost to the vehicular subassemblies to which they are added.
  • the invention is directed to an active bolster for a vehicle, wherein the bolster includes a hollow main body that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position.
  • the main body may act directly as, or may have a covering that acts as, a first surface, which forms part of the visible interior of the vehicle.
  • the main body may replace a structural element of the vehicle, such as a headrest on a vehicle seat, or an armrest on a vehicle door.
  • the main body may optionally include a vent means for venting pressurized gas contained therein.
  • the vent means may comprise one or more holes of a selected size through the wall of the main body.
  • the vent means may comprise a structure such as a relief valve.
  • the invention is directed to an inflatable device positioned on a rear-facing surface of a seat in a vehicle, in which the seat is positioned in front of a second seat.
  • the inflatable device is inflatable for inflation during a vehicle crash event to protect an occupant in the second seat.
  • the invention is directed to an inflatable lumbar bolster for inhibiting submarining of a seat-belted occupant in a vehicle seat during a crash event.
  • the invention is directed to an inflatable forward pelvic bolster for inhibiting submarining of a seat-belted occupant in a vehicle seat during a crash event.
  • the invention is directed to a combination of an inflatable lumbar bolster and an inflatable forward pelvic bolster for inhibiting submarining of a seat-belted occupant in a vehicle seat.
  • the invention is directed to an inflatable armrest for vehicle door.
  • the invention is directed to a device for mounting on a door in a vehicle, wherein the device includes an inflatable bolster and an armrest.
  • the inflatable bolster includes an inflatable, hollow main body.
  • the hollow main body is self-supporting in both an uninflated position and an inflated position.
  • the armrest is integrally connected with the main body portion.
  • the invention is directed to an inflatable device including a plurality of inflatable portions, which are fluidically connected to a single inflator.
  • the inflatable portions may be positioned for inflation above and below an armrest on a door.
  • an inflatable side bolster for mounting on a side of a vehicle.
  • the inflatable side bolster comprises i) an expansible hollow interior; ii) an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior; iii) an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior; and, iv) an outer wall located between the expansible hollow interior and the side, the outer wall having an attachment portion comprising at least one attachment for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle, and a peripheral portion bordering the attachment portion.
  • the outer wall is mountable to the portion of the side by the at least one attachment such that the outer wall remains attached to the portion of the side by the at least one attachment during inflation, and the peripheral portion of the outer wall is free to move relative to the portion of the side of the vehicle to facilitate expansion of the expansible hollow interior during inflation.
  • a vehicle door comprising a window, a door body adjacent to the window portion, an armrest attached to the door body; and an inflatable bolster.
  • the inflatable bolster comprises i) an expansible hollow portion; ii) an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow portion; iii) an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the door on inflation of the expansible hollow portion; iv) an outer wall located between the expansible hollow portion and the door body, the outer wall having an attachment portion comprising at least one attachment for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the door, and a peripheral portion bordering the attachment portion.
  • the outer wall is mountable to the door body by the at least one attachment such that the outer wall remains attached to the door body by the at least one attachment during inflation, and the peripheral portion of the outer wall is free to move relative to the door body to facilitate expansion of the expansible hollow portion during inflation.
  • an inflatable side bolster for a side of a vehicle, the inflatable side bolster comprising i) an expansible hollow interior; ii) an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior; iii) an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior; and, iv) an outer wall located between the expansible hollow interior and the side, the outer wall having at least one attachment for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.
  • a vehicle seat comprising a body-supporting surface, a back surface opposite to the body-supporting surface; and an inflatable bolster.
  • the inflatable bolster comprises i) an expansible hollow portion; ii) an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow portion; and, iii) an occupant-side wall for projecting away from the seat on inflation of the expansible hollow portion to displace at least one of the body-supporting surface and the back surface.
  • a vehicle floor bolster comprising i) an expansible hollow portion; ii) an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow portion; and, iii) a foot-supporting surface for supporting a pair of feet before inflation and for projecting upward on inflation of the expansible hollow portion to raise the pair of feet.
  • a vehicle rollover bar bolster for mounting on a vehicle rollover bar.
  • the vehicle roll-over bar bolster comprises i) an expansible hollow interior; ii) an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior; iii) a radially outer wall for projecting outwardly away from the vehicle roll-over bar on inflation of the expansible hollow interior; and, iv) a radially inner wall for attachment to the vehicle rollover bar, the radially inner wall being located between the expansible hollow interior and the vehicle rollover bar.
  • a vehicle roof bolster comprising i) an expansible hollow portion; ii) an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow portion; and, iii) a roof surface for projecting away from a vehicle roof on inflation of the expansible hollow portion.
  • a vehicle pillar bolster comprising i) an expansible hollow portion; ii) an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow portion; and, iii) a pillar surface for projecting into the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow portion.
  • FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of an active bolster in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, mounted on a door of a vehicle below the armrest, and in an uninflated position;
  • FIG. 1 b is a perspective view of the active bolster shown in FIG. 1 a in an inflated position
  • FIG. 1 c is a sectional side view of the bolster in an uninflated position shown in FIG. 1 a;
  • FIG. 1 d is a sectional side view of the bolster in the inflated position shown in FIG. 1 b;
  • FIG. 2 a is a sectional side view of an active bolster in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, in an uninflated position;
  • FIG. 2 b is a sectional side view of the bolster shown in FIG. 2 a , in an inflated position;
  • FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are perspective views of a bolster mounted on a vehicle door above the armrest, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are perspective views of a bolster and armrest integrally connected together in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are perspective views of an armrest-mounted bolster in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 6 a and 6 b are perspective views of a headrest-mounted bolster in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are perspective views of a headrest-mounted bolster in combination with a neck bolster, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 8 a and 8 b are perspective views of a lumbar bolster in combination with a forward pelvic bolster, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 9 a and 9 b are perspective views of a seat-mounted bolster, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 10 a and 10 b are perspective views of a bolster mounted on the rear face of a seat, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 11 a and 11 b are perspective views of a floor pan-mounted bolster, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 12 a and 12 b are perspective views of a bolster mounted on both the floor pan and the toe pan, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 13 a and 13 b are perspective views of a bolster mounted on rollover protection bars on a vehicle, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 13 c is a sectional side view of a bolster and a rollover protection bar shown in FIG. 13 a;
  • FIGS. 14 a and 14 b are perspective views of a roof-mounted bolster in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 15 a and 15 b are perspective views of a pillar-mounted bolster in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 16 a is an elevation view of a bolster in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, in an uninflated condition
  • FIG. 16 b is a side view of the bolster shown in FIG. 16 a , in an uninflated condition, near an armrest;
  • FIG. 16 c is a side view of the bolster shown in FIG. 16 a , in an inflated condition, near an armrest;
  • FIG. 16 d is a perspective view of the bolster shown in FIG. 16 a in an inflated condition
  • FIG. 16 e is a front view of an active side bolster in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention in an uninflated condition, positioned in an interior door panel;
  • FIG. 16 f is a front view of the outside of the bolster shown in FIG. 16 e in an uninflated condition, positioned in an interior door panel;
  • FIG. 16 g is a front view of the outside of the bolster shown in FIG. 16 e in an uninflated condition, positioned in an interior door panel, with door sheet metal shown in the foreground;
  • FIG. 16 h is a side view of the bolster shown in 16 e in an uninflated condition, positioned in an interior door panel;
  • FIG. 16 i is a side view of the bolster shown in 16 e in an inflated condition, positioned in an interior door panel;
  • FIG. 17 a is a side view of a connection between the inflatable body and the gas channel as contained in the bolster shown in FIG. 16 e in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 17 b is a perspective view of the connection shown in FIG. 17 a;
  • FIG. 18 a is a side view of an alternative connection between the inflatable body and the gas channel as contained in the bolster shown in FIG. 16 e in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 18 b is a perspective view of the connection shown in FIG. 18 a;
  • FIGS. 19 a , 19 b and 19 c show sectional and perspective side views of alternative means to fasten and secure an embodiment of an active side bolster to a vehicle support structure;
  • FIG. 20 a is a perspective view of a headrest bolster in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention in an un-inflated configuration
  • FIG. 20 b is an exploded view of the bolster shown in FIG. 20 a;
  • FIG. 20 c is an assembled perspective view of the bolster shown in FIG. 20 a covered with a headrest cover in an uninflated configuration;
  • FIG. 20 d is an assembled perspective view of the bolster shown in FIG. 20 c in an inflated configuration
  • FIG. 21 a is an exploded view of a seat back mounted bolster, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, shown in an un-inflated configuration;
  • FIG. 21 b is a perspective view of the bolster shown in FIG. 21 a shown in an un-inflated configuration
  • FIG. 21 c is a sectioned view of the bolster shown in FIG. 21 a shown in an un-inflated configuration
  • FIG. 21 d is a perspective assembled view of the bolster shown in FIG. 21 a shown in an un-inflated configuration
  • FIG. 21 e is a perspective assembled view of the bolster shown in FIG. 21 a shown in an inflated configuration
  • inflatable bolsters examples include the structures illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,032,978, 6,203,057, and 6,578,867, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • FIGS. 1 a , 1 b , 1 c and 1 d illustrate an active bolster 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the active bolster 10 is positioned on a door 17 of a vehicle 15 , and deploys to protect a vehicle occupant 13 (see FIG. 1 c ) during a crash event and in particular during a side impact incurred by the vehicle 15 (see FIG. 1 a ).
  • the vehicle 15 may be any applicable vehicle, such as an automobile, an SUV (sport-utility vehicle), or a pick-up truck.
  • the active bolster 10 can be configured to absorb energy to protect the upper torso, thorax, lower torso, head or combinations of these regions of the occupant 13 ( FIG. 1 c ) during a crash event.
  • the bolster 10 includes a hollow main body 11 and an attachment means 21 .
  • the hollow main body 11 is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated position ( FIG. 1 c ) and in an uninflated position ( FIG. 1 d ).
  • the main body 11 has an outside wall 12 , an inside wall 14 and a side wall 16 that connects the outside and inside walls 12 and 14 .
  • the outside wall 12 of the bolster 10 is the wall that faces towards the outside of the vehicle 15 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 a - 1 d , the outside wall 12 is captured by the attachment means 21 .
  • the inside wall 14 is the wall that faces the interior of the vehicle 15 .
  • the inside wall 14 may form part of the interior door panel 19 of the vehicle 15 .
  • the inside wall 14 may be provided with a suitable finish, eg. in accordance with the design theme for the rest of the vehicle interior.
  • the inside wall 14 may act as a first surface, ie. a surface that is directly exposed to view by a vehicle occupant 13 .
  • a suitable interior door panel segment such as a fabric panel, may be attached to the inside wall 14 .
  • the inside wall 14 can act as a support for holding a door panel segment, thereby replacing the support that would have been required in the absence of the bolster 10 .
  • the hollow main body 11 includes one or more pleats 18 thereon, which may be positioned around the sidewall 16 , as shown in FIGS. 1 c and 1 d .
  • the pleats 18 permit the expansion of the hollow main body 11 upon the introduction of a pressurized gas therein.
  • the number, stiffness and position of the pleats 18 can be selected depending upon the selected direction of expansion of the bolster 10 .
  • the pleats 18 may be configured to control the amount and direction of expansion of the main body 11 , so that the inside wall 14 , and the overall body 11 , may be positioned in a selected position relative to the vehicle occupant 13 to provide selected energy absorption for selected regions of the occupant's body.
  • the pleats 18 need not be positioned on the sidewall 16 .
  • the pleats 18 may be provided on the inside wall 14 .
  • the pleats 18 may be created as U-shaped portions that extend between ridges on the main body 11 .
  • the main body 11 may be provided with a selected shape and may be folded or otherwise put into its uninflated position.
  • the body 11 may be folded over on itself whereby at least some of the folds do not constitute pleats.
  • tethers may be provided, each tether connecting between a point on the main body 11 and a structural member on the vehicle 15 .
  • Such tethers could work optionally in combination with pleats on the main body 11 .
  • the main body 11 may have a wall thickness that varies over its surface.
  • the main body 11 may be provided with a relatively thinner wall where expansion is desired, and may be provided with a relatively thicker wall where expansion is to be inhibited.
  • the degree and direction of expansion may be controlled for the main body 11 .
  • expansion of the main body 11 will occur as a result of plastic deformation of the wall, in particular where the wall is relatively thinner. It will be appreciated, however, that some plastic deformation will take place during expansion for embodiments incorporating pleats 18 .
  • tabs may be provided at selected points on the main body 11 , which engage the vehicle structure. Such engagement could be used to fix the position of one part of the main body 11 while permitting expansion in another part of the main body 11 , thereby causing the main body 11 to expand around a corner, for example. Such tabs may be made to break away at a selected level of force. Alternatively, hinges may be provided instead of tabs, depending on the specific application.
  • the hollow body 11 is preferably made from a polymeric material such as a polypropylene-based material.
  • the main body 11 may be formed of a blow-molded polypropylene-based or other polyolefin material.
  • the material of construction may be a recyclable material. It is optionally possible that different portions of the main body 11 may be made from different materials. It is further possible that such use of different materials, may be used to assist in controlling the deployment pattern of the main body 11 .
  • Using a thermoplastic for the bolster 10 provides flexibility for matching vehicle interior designs.
  • an inflation means (not shown) is provided for inflating the main body 11 .
  • the inflation means will include a source of inflating gas, typical of those used in vehicle air bags. This will be connected to an activation source.
  • the bolster 10 may be manufactured in a plastic blow molding operation. The blow molding operation is particularly convenient for making closed, hollow articles.
  • the hollow body 11 defines an internal chamber, which may be a closed chamber. If the chamber is a closed chamber, then the chamber may confine the expanding gas sufficiently to cause expansion of the hollow main body 11 upon activation without the need for an internal bladder.
  • the inflatable bolster 10 can include an internal bladder, in which case the chamber need not be sufficiently gas tight. If an internal bladder is provided, then preferably the outside wall 14 will include access means to position the appropriate bladder within the chamber and to position the means for supplying the pressurized gas to the bladder upon activation.
  • the hollow body 11 includes an inlet 20 for receiving the inflation gas.
  • the inflation gas may be provided by any suitable inflation device, such as an inflators used on air bag systems. If the bolster 10 includes multiple chambers therein, the inlet 20 may branch into several internal conduits, each of which connects the inlet to an internal chamber.
  • the hollow body 11 may optionally include a venting means 22 .
  • the venting means 22 limits pressure build up within the main body 11 during bolster deployment and provides a selected force/pressure behavior for the bolster 10 during deployment and occupant impact with the bolster 10 .
  • the venting means 22 can be used to provide a slower (ie. less abrupt) deceleration for the occupant 13 , subsequent to impact between the occupant 13 and the bolter 10 , thereby reducing the likelihood of injury to the occupant 13 .
  • the venting means 22 permits the main body 11 to deflate to provide space for the occupant 13 to move around or egress the vehicle 15 .
  • venting means 22 may be, for example, one or more vent holes 24 , as shown, or may alternatively be some other suitable venting means, such as a relief valve (not shown). In an embodiment where vent holes 24 are utilized, the vent holes 24 are made adequately small to permit the build up of pressure in the main body 11 to cause it to expand during deployment of the bolster 10 .
  • the attachment means 21 are used to attach the bolster 10 to the vehicle structure.
  • the attachment means 21 may comprise a support member 23 , which has mounting tabs 25 thereon.
  • the support member 23 captures the outside wall 12 and a portion of the sidewall 16 .
  • the mounting tabs 25 may include fastener apertures (not shown) so that fasteners (not shown) may be used to removably mount the bolster 10 to the vehicle structure. This permits the bolster 10 to easily be removed and replaced when appropriate.
  • the support member 21 prevents expansion of the hollow body 11 towards the outside of the vehicle 15 , so that when the main body 11 is inflated, expansion of the main body 11 occurs towards the interior of the vehicle 15 .
  • the support member 21 and tabs 23 may be metallic, or may be made from a polymeric material, depending on the forces expected to be incurred and the room available.
  • the mounting tabs 23 be formed directly on the main body 11 .
  • the entire outside end of the main body 11 could be made suitable thick-walled for strength and for resistance to outwardly directed expansion during inflation.
  • the tabs 23 could be formed directly thereon during a molding process.
  • the fasteners used to attach the bolster 10 to the vehicle structure may include trim clips, rivets, screws or other mechanical fasteners, or alternatively adhesive, depending on the application.
  • the bolster 10 is shown as being mounted on the door 17 below the armrest, shown at 26 .
  • pressurized air or any suitable pressurized gas
  • the pressurized gas causes the main body 11 to expand.
  • the main body 11 is configured to expand directly inwardly into the interior of the vehicle 15 , towards the upper legs and hip region of the vehicle occupant 13 seated in the seat 28 adjacent the door 17 .
  • the vehicle occupant 13 is accelerated by the crash event towards the door 17 , he/she will encounter the bolster 10 earlier than he/she would have encountered the door 17 , had the bolster 10 not been present. As a result, the occupant 13 will have reached a lower velocity when encountering the bolster 10 than he/she would have reached if he/she had been free to accelerate all the way to the door 17 . Additionally, the bolster 10 provides the occupant 13 with a greater distance over which to decelerate. As a result of the lower velocity and the greater deceleration distance, the occupant 13 is less likely to sustain injury from the crash event. If the bolster 10 is provided with the vent means 22 , the deceleration can be even better controlled, and the occupant 13 can be at even lower risk of sustaining injury from the crash event.
  • FIGS. 3 a and 3 b in which the bolster 10 is shown as being mounted to the door 17 above the armrest 26 .
  • the bolster 10 may be configured to extend inwardly into the interior of the vehicle 15 towards the occupant 13 and to present an inflated form that engages the upper torso, ie. the shoulder region, of the occupant 13 , protecting the occupant from collision with both the door body, shown at 17 b and the lower region of the door window.
  • the door window is shown at 17 a.
  • the shoulder region of an occupant 13 may move farther towards the vehicle door 17 than the hip region of the occupant 13 does, since the shoulder region may be less securely held in place by a seat belt than the hip region.
  • the bolster 10 shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b accomplish this. Additionally, by deploying to protect the shoulder region of the occupant 13 , the bolster 10 in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b also protects the head of the occupant 13 by making it less likely that the head of the occupant will collide with the door 17 .
  • FIGS. 4 a and 4 b in which the bolster 10 is shown as being positioned aft of the armrest 26 .
  • the bolster 10 can cover a relatively large vertical stretch along the door body 17 b , without interference from the armrest 26 .
  • the bolster 10 could be configured to cover substantially the entire distance between the top of the door body 17 b , and the seat bottom portion, shown at 28 a .
  • the bolster 10 can be configured to extend directly inwardly towards the occupant 13 and thereby protect a relatively large portion of the occupant's torso.
  • FIGS. 16 a , 16 b , 16 c and 16 d show the bolster 10 including a first bolster portion 50 and a second bolster portion 52 .
  • the first and second bolster portions 50 and 52 are fluidically connected to an inflator, shown at 54 , by fluid conduits 55 a and 55 b .
  • the bolster 10 includes two separate inflatable bolster portions 50 and 52 , both of which are inflated by a single gas inflator 54 . This is advantageous in that the assembly may be less expensive than two separate assemblies bolsters and two separate inflators.
  • the bolster portions 50 and 52 are shown in their uninflated condition in FIGS. 16 a and 16 b , and are shown in their inflated condition in FIGS. 16 c and 16 d.
  • the bolster 10 may be made relatively stiffer and uninflatable in the region 56 of the bolster 10 that is proximate the armrest 26 . Stiffening the region 56 inhibits the bolster 10 from urging the armrest 26 into the vehicle interior during inflation of the bolster 10 .
  • mounting plates 58 and 60 may be provided in the stiffened region 56 , which contain mounting apertures 62 , 64 , 66 and 68 , which are used to mount the bolster 10 to the vehicle's structure. Mounting the bolster 10 in the region 58 that is proximate the armrest 26 further assists in inhibiting the bolster 10 from urging the armrest 26 into the vehicle interior during bolster inflation.
  • the mounting plates 58 and 60 may be made from any suitable material, such as a polymeric material that can be joined to the rest of the bolster 10 with suitable structural integrity.
  • FIG. 16 e there is illustrated in a front view an exposed interior door panel 19 showing side bolster 10 comprising the first 50 and second 52 bolster portions in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.
  • the bolster portions 50 and 52 are shown positioned in relation to the armrest 26 and a detachable interior panel portion 51 of the exposed interior door panel 19 .
  • the detachable interior panel portion 51 can be released from the door panel 19 by the inflation of the second bolster portion 52 .
  • analogous elements between side bolster 10 of FIGS. 16 a - 16 d , and side bolster 10 of FIGS. 16 e - 16 i are denoted by the same numerals.
  • the bolster portions 50 and 52 are shown in their un-inflated condition.
  • the unexposed side of the interior door panel is shown in an interior view, and the side bolster 10 is shown with the first bolster portion 50 and the second bolster portion 52 positioned above and below the armrest 26 respectively.
  • the inflator 54 is positioned close to the armrest 26 , and the connection 71 between the fluid conduit 55 a and the first bolster portion 50 is shown.
  • a relatively non-expansive attachment portion 61 including mounting plates 58 and 60 , and mounting apertures 62 , 64 , 66 and 68 is also shown.
  • the required strength and stiffness of the attachment portion 61 may be obtained by increasing the thickness of the wall surrounding the hollow interior of the attachment portion 61 appropriately to resist deformation due to the increased air pressure within the hollow interior that causes inflation of the bolster portions 50 and 52 .
  • the hollow interior of attachment portion 61 also houses the inflator module 54 , which inflates both the first 50 and second 52 bolster portions.
  • the attachment portion 61 is bordered by a peripheral portion 72 .
  • the first 50 and second 52 bolster portions are fluidly connected to the inflator module 54 by fluid conduits 55 a and 55 b respectively.
  • the junction 55 c between fluid conduits 55 a and 55 b comprises a “V” shaped hollow interior.
  • the relative proportions and orientation of the “V” shaped junction 55 c are designed to direct an appropriate portion of the inflation gas into the first 50 and second 52 bolster portions to ensure proper inflation.
  • the outer wall 12 of each bolster portion 50 , 52 contains pleats 18 to allow for the peripheral portion of the outer wall 12 of the bolster portions 50 , 52 to extend relative to the door during inflation.
  • the first 50 and second 52 bolster portions may include a vent hole 24 .
  • a vent hole 24 limits the pressure build up within the bolster 10 during deployment and provides a selected force/pressure behaviour for the bolster 10 during deployment.
  • a vent hole 24 can be used to provide a slower deceleration for the vehicle occupant, subsequent to contact between the occupant and the bolster 10 , thereby reducing the likelihood of injury to the occupant.
  • a vent hole 24 may permit the first 50 and second 52 bolster portions to deflate after deployment to provide space for the occupant to egress the vehicle.
  • a vent hole 24 may be made adequately small to permit the build up of pressure within the bolster 10 to cause it to expand properly during impact.
  • FIG. 16 g the interior side of the door panel 19 a and the second bolster portion 52 are shown with the door panel metal support structure 70 in the foreground.
  • the metal support structure 70 has a portion cut away to illustrate the location of the inflator 54 and second bolster portion 52 pleats 18 and the relative position of the mounting plate 60 and mounting apertures 66 and 68 with respect to the door panel metal support structure 70 .
  • first 50 and second 52 bolster portions are shown in a side view in relation to the vehicle door body 17 b , the vehicle door window 17 a , the interior door panel 19 , the armrest 26 , and the detachable interior panel portion 51 .
  • the first 50 and second 52 bolster portions are shown in an un-inflated condition. In this condition, expansible hollow interior 57 of each bolster portion 50 , 52 is uninflated.
  • both the first bolster portion 50 and the second bolster portion 52 can deploy into the vehicle interior around the armrest 26 to protect the shoulder and pelvic regions of the vehicle occupants 13 respectively.
  • the detachable interior door panel 51 can be displaced, as shown in FIG. 16 i by the inflation of the expansible hollow portion 57 of the second bolster portion 52 .
  • the expansion of the bolster portions 50 , 52 involves movement of the inside wall 14 into the vehicle's interior and movement of the peripheral portion of the outside wall 12 away from the vehicle door body 17 b and window 17 a .
  • the peripheral portion of the outside wall 12 may also extend along the dimension of the door body, so that, for example, bolster portion 50 may partly cover the window.
  • the direction and extent of this displacement is affected by the design and number of pleats 18 contained in the outside wall 12 of the bolster.
  • first bolster portion 50 and the second bolster portion 52 can be finished or covered suitably to act as a normal exposed surface or first surface in door-mounted embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 e , 16 f , 16 g , 16 h and 16 i.
  • the side bolster 10 comprises an expansible hollow interior 57 , an inflator 54 for inflating the expansible hollow interior 57 , and an inside wall 14 or first wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the sides of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior 57 to protect the vehicular occupants 13 .
  • FIG. 17 a shows a sectioned side view of a snap-in connection 71 a used between the fluid conduit 55 a and the outside wall 12 of a bolster portion 50 in an embodiment of the invention.
  • the opening of the fluid conduit 55 a is aligned with the appropriately sized opening in the outside wall 12 of the first bolster portion 50 .
  • External pressure is then applied to the fluid conduit 55 a forcing the conduit into the bolster portion 50 .
  • the angled shape of the fluid conduit tabs 69 allow for the conduit to be relatively easily inserted into the outside wall of the bolster portion 50 , but create significant resistance preventing the conduit from subsequently being removed from the outside wall 12 of the bolster portion 50 .
  • the fluid conduit 55 a creates fluid communication between the inflator 54 (not shown in FIG. 17 a or 17 b ) and the expansible hollow interior 57 of the bolster portion 50 .
  • the connection 71 a between the fluid conduit 55 a and the outside wall 12 of the bolster portion 50 is surrounded by expansion pleats 18 which facilitate movement and inflation of the bolster portion 50 .
  • FIG. 17 b the embodiment of the snap-in connection 71 a is shown in a sectioned perspective view relative to the fluid conduit 55 a and the outside wall 12 of a bolster portion 50 .
  • FIGS. 18 a and 18 b show an alternate means for attaching the fluid conduit 55 a to the outside wall 12 of the bolster portion 50 to create a fluid connection 71 b between the inflator 54 (not shown in FIGS. 18 a and 18 b ) and the expansible hollow interior 57 of the bolster portion 50 .
  • FIG. 18 a shows a sectioned side view of a ferrule and gear clamp connection 71 b used between the fluid conduit 55 a and the first bolster portion 50 in an embodiment of the invention.
  • the ferrule and gear clamp connection 71 b is an alternate means of securing the fluid conduit 55 a to the bolster portion 50 to the means shown in FIGS. 17 a and 17 b . Referring to FIG.
  • FIG. 18 b the embodiment of the ferrule and gear clamp connection 71 b is shown in a perspective view. This view shows the relative positions of the fluid conduit 55 a , the outside wall 12 of the first bolster portion 50 , and the expansion pleats 18 .
  • FIG. 19 a shows a means to fasten a particular embodiment of the bolster 10 to the door panel metal support structure 70 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • the outside wall 12 of the bolster 10 comprises integral bolster mounting tabs 74 , which are of an appropriate thickness and height to provide the required tensile strength and other desired mechanical properties to secure the bolster 10 to the structure 70 both before and during inflation.
  • the integral bolster mounting tabs are positioned within the attachment portion 61 , between the pleats 18 on the outer wall 12 of the bolster 10 and the connection 71 between the bolster 10 and the fluid conduit 55 a .
  • the connections between the bolster 10 and the door panel metal support structure 70 within the attachment portion 61 of the bolster outer wall 12 remain in place during inflation of the expansible chamber 57 .
  • Additional frangible fasteners may be used to detachably attach any of the peripheral portions 72 of the outer wall 12 of the bolster, including the expansion pleats 18 , to the door panel metal support structure 70 while the bolster is in its uninflated configuration.
  • Fasteners within the peripheral portions 72 of the bolster outer wall 12 can be released by inflation of the expansible chamber 57 so as to not prevent the outer wall 12 from moving relative to the side of the vehicle during inflation.
  • the particular attachment means shown in FIG. 19 a comprises fastening clips 75 that are placed over the integral bolster mount tabs 74 .
  • the fastening clips 75 are affixed to the integral bolster mounting tabs 74 by rivets 76 .
  • This design is advantageous in that the integral bolster mounting tabs 74 are formed during the initial molding of the bolster 10 and the fastening clips 75 can be manufactured separately and then easily affixed to the bolster 10 via the rivets 76 prior to the bolster 10 being installed in the vehicle.
  • the bolster Upon affixing the required fastening clips 75 to the integral bolster mounting tabs 74 , the bolster can be positioned relative to the door panel metal support structure 70 and aligned with the predetermined fastening locations 63 within said structure.
  • connection means can be implemented at the appropriate number of fastening locations 63 as required to produce the desired strength of mechanical connection between the bolster 10 and the door panel metal support structure 70 .
  • FIG. 19 b shows another embodiment of a means to fasten the outer wall 12 of an expansible chamber 57 to the door panel metal support structure 70 .
  • the outside wall 12 of the active support bolster 10 comprises insert apertures 59 appropriately sized to receive mounting stud inserts 77 , which are of an appropriate thickness and size to provide the required tensile strength and other desired mechanical properties.
  • the insert apertures 59 are positioned within the attachment portion 61 , between the expansion pleats 18 on the outer wall 12 of the bolster 10 and the connection 71 between the expansible chamber 57 and the fluid conduit 55 a .
  • Additional frangible fasteners may be used to detachably attach any of the peripheral portions 72 of the outer wall 12 of the bolster, including the expansion pleats 18 , to the door panel metal support structure 70 while the bolster is in its uninflated condition. Fasteners within the peripheral portions 72 of the bolster outer wall 12 can be released by inflation of the expansible chamber 57 so as to not prevent the outer wall 12 from moving relative to the side of the vehicle during inflation.
  • the particular attachment means embodied in FIG. 19 b comprises mounting stud inserts 77 that are secured in the bolster 10 and inserted through the fastening locations 63 in the door panel metal support structure 70 .
  • Fastening nuts 78 with a diameter appropriately larger than that of the fastening location openings 63 , are then threaded onto the studs and tightened until the desired level of mechanical compression is achieved.
  • This connection means can be implemented at the appropriate number of fastening locations 63 as required to produce the desired strength of mechanical connection between the bolster 10 and the door panel metal support structure 70 .
  • FIG. 19 c shows yet another embodiment of a means to fasten an expansible chamber 57 to the door panel metal support structure 70 .
  • the outside wall 12 of an expansible chamber 57 comprises insert apertures 59 appropriately sized to receive bolster tab inserts 79 , which are of an appropriate thickness and size to provide the required tensile strength and other desired mechanical properties.
  • the insert apertures 59 are positioned in the attachment portion 61 , between the pleats 18 on the outer wall 12 , of the expansible chamber 57 and the connection 71 between the bolster 10 and the fluid conduit 55 a .
  • Additional frangible fasteners may be used to detachably attach any of the peripheral portions 72 of the outer wall 12 of the bolster, including the expansion pleats 18 , to the door panel metal support structure 70 while the bolster is in its uninflated condition. Fasteners within the peripheral portions 72 of the bolster outer wall 12 can be released by inflation of the expansible chamber 57 so as to not prevent the outer wall 12 from moving relative to the side of the vehicle during inflation.
  • the particular attachment means embodied in FIG. 19 c comprises fastening clips 80 that are placed over the bolster tab inserts 79 .
  • the fastening clips 80 can be manufactured separately and then easily affixed to the bolster tab inserts 79 prior to the bolster portion 50 being installed in the vehicle.
  • the bolster Upon affixing the required fastening clips 80 to the bolster tab inserts 79 , the bolster can be positioned relative to the door panel metal support structure 70 and aligned with the predetermined fastening locations 63 within the structure.
  • connection means can be implemented at the appropriate number of fastening locations 63 as required to produce the desired strength of mechanical connection between the bolster 10 and the door panel metal support structure 70 .
  • bolster portion 50 While much of the foregoing description has related to the bolster portion 50 , it will be appreciated that similar attachment means can be used to secure the bolster portion 50 and 52 to door panel metal support structure 70 of the door. Alternatively, bolster portion 50 and 52 may be secured to some other portion of the door, such as the panel 19 .
  • first and second bolster portions 50 and 52 may not be required.
  • the bolster 10 could be a contiguous device that is generally C-shaped, extending above, below and aft of the armrest 26 .
  • the bolster 10 may be configured to cover some or all of the door window 17 a to protect the occupant from colliding therewith during a crash event. To achieve protection from the door window 17 a , the bolster 10 would be configured to expand outwards, and to expand upwards along its top edge.
  • the armrest 26 itself may be formed as part of the bolster 10 .
  • the bolster 10 integrally with the armrest 26 , (eg. by blow molding a combined armrest and bolster), assembly of the door 17 is simplified, since only one item (ie. the combined armrest and bolster) needs to be installed on the door body 28 instead of two separate items.
  • the armrest 26 in this embodiment need not be made to expand when the bolster 10 expands.
  • the armrest 26 includes the bolster 10 .
  • the main body 11 of the bolster 10 is the structural member of the armrest 26 .
  • the main body 11 may be finished in any suitable way to provide a suitable first surface for the armrest 26 .
  • the main body 11 may be textured and may be made from a coloured polymer.
  • the main body 11 may be covered by a layer of polymeric foam and a skin, such as a vinyl covering.
  • the armrest 26 could act as a housing for the bolster 10 .
  • the armrest 26 could be configured to have a hinged cover that would swing open to provide an opening through which the bolster 10 could expand upwards and out to protect the occupant 13 .
  • the headrest, shown at 28 b includes the bolster 10 .
  • the main body 11 of the bolster 10 is also the structural member of the headrest 28 b .
  • the main body 11 may be finished in any suitable way to provide a suitable first surface for the headrest 28 b .
  • the main body 11 may be covered by a layer of polymeric foam and a skin, such as a vinyl covering.
  • the advantages provided by a bolster 10 that replaces the structural member of the headrest 28 b are similar to those provided by the bolster 10 , which is the structural member of the armrest 26 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b.
  • the bolster 10 shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b provide additional deceleration distance for the head of the occupant 13 , relative to a standard passive headrest during certain types of collision. Additionally, the bolster 10 , when inflated, may be configured to provide some control over lateral movement of the occupant's head, by providing a dished forward surface.
  • a headrest bolster 10 a cooperates with a neck bolster 10 b to position the occupant's head and neck and absorb impact energy therefrom.
  • the headrest bolster 10 a may be similar to the headrest bolster 10 shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b .
  • the neck bolster 10 b is provided to occupy, in its inflated form, the generally concave space at the back of the occupant's neck when the occupant's head encounters the inflated headrest bolster 10 a .
  • the headrest and neck bolsters 10 a and 10 b lengthen the deceleration of the occupant's head and neck, thereby reducing the likelihood of injury to the occupant, and in particular reducing the likelihood of whiplash.
  • FIGS. 8 a and 8 b show two bolsters 10 .
  • the occupant 13 When the vehicle undergoes certain types of crash event, the occupant 13 is urged forward, and may be urged in such a manner as to slide forward through the shoulder belt, shown at 30 a and through the hip belt, shown at 30 b , towards the foot well (not shown). This is colloquially known as ‘submarining’.
  • the two bolsters 10 cooperate together to assist in maintaining the occupant 13 in the seat 28 and inhibit submarining of the occupant 13 .
  • the bolsters 10 include a lumbar bolster 10 c and a forward pelvic bolster 10 d .
  • the lumbar bolster 10 c is positioned on the seat's backrest, shown at 28 c , and, when inflated, is configured to push the body-supporting surface of the seat 28 and the occupant's torso forward.
  • the forward pelvic bolster 10 d is positioned at the forward edge of the seat bottom portion 28 a , and is configured, in its inflated position, to raise the body-supporting surface of the seat 28 and the knees of the occupant 13 and to cup the pelvic region of the occupant 13 at the junction of the seat bottom portion 28 a and the backrest 28 c.
  • the lumbar bolster 10 c and the forward pelvic bolster 10 d cooperate to ‘fold’ the occupant about the pelvic region. This folding of the occupant 13 impedes the occupant from sliding down and forward through the shoulder and hip belts 30 a and 30 b towards the foot well (not shown) during a crash event.
  • the main bodies 11 of the lumbar and forward pelvic bolsters 10 c and 10 d may be finished in such a way as to form part of the first surfaces of the seat 28 .
  • the main body 11 of each may be covered with a suitable layer of polymer foam and with a skin of any suitable material, such as leather or cloth.
  • the skin on the main body 11 would be a separate panel from the rest of the seating surfaces of the seat bottom portion 28 a and the backrest 28 c .
  • the bolsters 10 c and 10 d may be buried within the seat bottom portion 28 a and the backrest 28 c , under a layer of foam that may be contiguous, and under a contiguous skin.
  • FIGS. 9 a and 9 b show an outside pelvic bolster 10 , which assists in decelerating the pelvic region of the occupant 13 during certain types of crash event.
  • the main body 11 of the bolster 10 in FIGS. 9 a and 9 b may be covered with a suitable layer of polymer foam and with a suitable skin, which may be separate from the skin on the rest of the seating surface of the backrest 28 c .
  • the bolster 10 it is optionally possible for the bolster 10 to extend upwards farther along the backrest 28 c , or to be positioned farther up along the backrest 28 c to control the deceleration of other regions on the occupant's torso in addition to, or instead of, controlling the deceleration of the pelvic region.
  • FIGS. 10 a and 10 b show the bolster 10 positioned on the rear face of the backrest 28 c .
  • the bolster 10 deploys to protect the legs of the occupant (not shown) positioned in the seat (not shown) behind the seat 28 .
  • FIGS. 11 a and 11 b show a bolster 10 mounted on the floor pan of the vehicle 15 .
  • the bolster 10 deploys to control the position of the feet of the occupant 13 during certain types of crash event.
  • the bolster 10 supports the feet of the occupant 13 from underneath via a foot-supporting surface that is displaced by inflation of the bolster 10 .
  • the main body 11 of the bolster 10 may be finished with a covering layer of carpeting and may thus form part of the floor carpeting in the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the main body 11 may have a series of drain channels 31 formed thereon to drain water and snow away from the feet of the occupant 13 if the occupant's shoes are wet or snowy.
  • the bolster 10 may be positioned in part in the floor pan of the vehicle and in part in the toe pan.
  • the bolster 10 may include the carpet covering and/or the drain channels 31 that are optionally provided on the bolster 10 shown in FIGS. 11 a and 11 b.
  • one or more bolster systems 34 may be positioned about one or more rollover protection bars 32 which may be provided on the vehicle. Each bolster system 34 surrounds the associated rollover protection bar 32 and slow the deceleration of a vehicle occupant 13 prior to the occupant 13 encountering the rollover protection bar 32 during certain types of crash event. Referring to FIG. 13 c , each bolster system 34 may include first and second bolsters 10 , which together cover a rollover protection bar 32 circumferentially.
  • Each bolster 10 includes a hollow main body 11 , which is shaped to have a radially inner surface 36 which contacts and engages rollover protection bar 32 , and which has a radially outer surface 38 , in which there are a plurality of pleats 18 .
  • the pleats 18 permit the bolster 10 to expand radially when inflated.
  • the pleats 18 it is alternatively possible for the pleats 18 to be omitted from the main body 11 , and to cause expansion of the main body 11 by plastic deformation that occurs as a result of the introduction of pressurized gas into the main body 11 .
  • the bolsters 10 may be housed in a covering layer 40 .
  • the covering layer 40 holds the bolsters 10 together about the rollover protection bar 32 . Additionally, the covering layer 40 hides the pleats 18 on the bolsters 101 if pleats 18 are present.
  • the covering layer 40 may be a tubular piece that is open at its ends and that has a longitudinally extending opening 42 .
  • the bolsters 10 may be introduced into the covering layer 40 through the open ends or by stretching open the longitudinal opening 42 .
  • the covering layer 42 is fit over the rollover bar 32 by stretching open the opening 42 .
  • the covering layer 40 may include one or more connectors 44 to permit the opening 42 to be held closed.
  • the single bolster 10 would have a longitudinally extending opening, and could be made to be flexible enough to open around the rollover bar 32 .
  • the bolsters 10 When pressurized gas is introduced into the bolsters 10 during bolster deployment, the bolsters 10 expand radially outwards and force the covering layer 40 to either stretch radially outwardly or to open at the opening 42 .
  • FIGS. 14 a and 14 b show the bolster 10 positioned on the vehicle roof, shown at 46 .
  • the bolster 10 deploys to extend downwards to assist in controlling the deceleration of the occupant 13 towards the door window 17 a and in particular towards the junction between the door 17 and the roof 46 .
  • the main body 11 of the bolster 10 may be finished to as to directly act as the first surface, or may be covered by a suitable piece of material that acts as the first surface. Alternatively, the main body 11 may be hidden from view by the headliner.
  • the bolster 10 it is optionally possible for the bolster 10 to extend farther downwards than is shown in FIG. 14 b , so that it can protect the head of the occupant from hitting relatively lower regions on the door window 17 a.
  • FIGS. 14 a and 14 b show the bolster 10 positioned on the vehicle's B-pillar, shown at 48 .
  • the bolster 10 and may be configured to extend forwardly, rearwardly and inwardly away from the B-pillar.
  • the bolster 10 it is optionally possible for the bolster 10 to be positioned on any of the A, B, C or D pillars (if present) in the vehicle, to protect vehicle occupants in situations where there is a risk of collision with those regions in the vehicle.
  • the main body 11 may be finished or covered suitably to act as the first surface in pillar-mounted embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 a and 15 b.
  • the headrest 28 b in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention is shown in a perspective view.
  • the headrest 28 b comprises a bolster 10 mounted on a headrest mounting bracket 87 .
  • the bolster 10 comprises a rear wall 86 , side walls 16 , and relatively non-expansible front wall 85 and front inside walls 85 a enclosing an expansible hollow interior 57 .
  • the bolster 10 further comprises an inflator 54 , which is attached to the headrest mounting bracket 87 , and an inflation aperture 90 that is integral to the front wall 85 of the bolster 10 .
  • the inflator 54 is located outside of expansible hollow interior 57 of the bolster 10 .
  • the headrest mounting bracket 87 positions the bolster 10 in an appropriate location relative to the vehicle seat back 28 d (shown in FIG. 21 a ).
  • the headrest mounting bracket 87 is rigidly fixed to the vehicle seat back 28 d by an appropriate, secure fastening means (not shown).
  • the front wall 85 of the bolster 10 is relatively non-expansible and comprises an attachment portion 61 that is rigidly attached to the headrest mounting bracket 87 using an appropriate fastening means (not shown).
  • the rigid attachment portion 61 connecting the relatively non-expansible front wall 85 and the headrest mounting bracket 87 is required to hold the bolster 10 in place during routine operation of the vehicle and to ensure that the bolster 10 remains in place during inflation.
  • the side walls 16 of the bolster 10 comprise expansion pleats 18 .
  • the number and design of the pleats may be used to control the direction and magnitude of the expansion of the expansible hollow interior 57 of the bolster 10 .
  • the front inside walls 85 a are designed to allow for the bolster 10 to extend in the forward direction but to prevent expansion by the bolster 10 in the inward direction, toward the head of the vehicle occupant to prevent injury.
  • the headrest 28 b as shown in FIG. 20 a is shown in an exploded view.
  • This figure also shows a portion of non-expansible padding material 88 designed to provide static support to the head of the vehicle occupant 13 .
  • the non-expansible padding 88 is rigidly attached to the headrest mounting bracket 87 by an appropriate attachment means (not shown) and is designed to fill the cavity bounded by the bolster 10 front 85 and front inside 85 a walls.
  • An external headrest cover 89 is also shown in this figure.
  • the external headrest cover 89 is installed on an assembled headrest 28 b and may be finished appropriately to act as a first surface.
  • FIG. 20 c a headrest 28 b as shown in FIGS. 20 a and 20 b is shown with the headrest cover 89 in place and headrest mounting bracket 87 visible.
  • FIG. 20 d the headrest 28 b as shown in FIGS. 20 a , 20 b and 20 c is shown in an inflated configuration.
  • This figure shows the relative displacement of the rear 86 and side walls 16 of the bolster 10 due to the expansion of the pleats 18 (shown in FIG. 20 a ) and expansible hollow interior 57 .
  • This figure also shows the non-expansible padding material 88 , front wall 85 , and front inside walls 85 a remaining in place relative to the headrest mounting bracket 87 after inflation.
  • a seat back 28 d bolster 10 is shown in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.
  • a seat 28 is shown comprising a seat bottom portion 28 a , a headrest portion 28 b , and a seat back portion 28 d
  • the seat back portion 28 d further comprises an attachment portion 61 and a peripheral portion 72 .
  • the attachment portion 61 and peripheral portion 72 are designed to appropriately mount a bolster 10 which is deployed to protect vehicle passengers riding in the backseat of the vehicle.
  • This figure also shows a bolster 10 to be affixed to the seat back 28 d .
  • the bolster 10 further comprises a occupant side wall 86 , that forms part of the boundary of an expansible hollow interior 57 , and an inflator module 54 that is used to inflate the expansible hollow interior 57 of the bolster 10 .
  • the bolster 10 as shown in FIG. 21 a is shown comprising an occupant side wall 86 , side walls 16 , and a seat side wall 85 which serve to bound an expansible hollow interior 57 .
  • the seat side wall 85 of the bolster 10 further comprises an attachment portion 61 and a peripheral portion 72 .
  • the attachment portion 61 of the bolster 10 is rigidly attached to the seat back 28 d (as shown in FIG. 21 a ) by an appropriate fastening means (not shown).
  • the attachment means is such that the portion of the seat side wall 85 of the bolster 10 within the attachment portion 61 of the bolster is held in place during normal operation and inflation of the bolster 10 .
  • Portions of the bolster seat side wall 85 contained within the attachment portion 61 of the bolster 10 cannot move relative to the seat back attachment portion (designated using reference numeral 61 in FIG. 21 a ).
  • Peripheral portions 72 of the bolster seat side wall 85 may be attached to the seat back 28 d (not shown) by appropriate frangible fastening means (not shown) such that the bolster 10 is held in place during normal operation of the vehicle but also such that the attachment means is released by the inflation of the expansible hollow interior of the bolster 10 allowing the seat side wall 85 to move away from the seat back 28 d and toward the back of the vehicle.
  • the bolster seat side wall 85 further comprises expansion pleats 18 that allow for the inflation of the expansive hollow interior 57 of the bolster 10 and can also be designed appropriately to control the extent and direction of expansion.
  • the bolster 10 is shown in an un-inflated configuration.
  • the bolster 10 shown in FIG. 21 b further comprises an integral inflation aperture 90 that accepts an inflator module 54 via an appropriate coupling means (not shown).
  • FIG. 21 c a sectioned view of the bolster 10 shown in FIG. 21 b shows the expansion pleats 18 and peripheral portion 72 of the seat side wall 85 of the bolster 10 .
  • This figure also shows a sectioned view of the occupant side wall 86 and expansible hollow interior 57 of the bolster 10 in its un-inflated configuration.
  • a perspective view of a seat 28 and seat back 28 d shows the relative position of the bolster 10 shown in FIGS. 21 a and 21 b as attached to the seat back 28 d in an un-inflated configuration.
  • the occupant side wall 86 of the expansible hollow interior 57 of the bolster 10 may be suitably covered or finished to serve as a first surface. During inflation of the expansible hollow interior 57 , the occupant side wall 86 of the bolster 10 will move away from the seat back 28 d and toward the back of the vehicle.
  • FIG. 21 e a perspective view of a seat 28 and seat back 28 d shows the relative position of the bolster 10 shown in FIGS. 21 a , 21 b , and 21 d as attached to the seat back 28 d in an inflated configuration.
  • This figure shows the relative displacement away from seat back 28 d of the occupant side wall 86 and peripheral portions 72 of the seat side wall 85 of the bolster 10 during the inflation of the expansible hollow interior 57 .
  • the expansion pleats 18 are shown in their extended positions.
  • the attachments between the seat side wall 85 and the seat back 28 d contained within the attachment portion 61 remain intact during expansion, and this portion of the seat side wall 85 does not extend away from the seat back 28 d.
  • the bolster embodiments shown in the Figures are made oversized so that they protect a relatively wide range of sizes of vehicle occupant and to protect occupants over a relatively wide range of seat adjustment positions in the vehicle.
  • the bolsters 10 may be sized to protect an occupant whether his/her seat is adjustment to its rearmost available position or its forwardmost position.
US11/915,797 2005-06-03 2006-06-02 Active bolster Abandoned US20090152848A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/915,797 US20090152848A1 (en) 2005-06-03 2006-06-02 Active bolster

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US68703505P 2005-06-03 2005-06-03
US76246306P 2006-01-26 2006-01-26
US11/915,797 US20090152848A1 (en) 2005-06-03 2006-06-02 Active bolster
PCT/US2006/021507 WO2006132990A1 (fr) 2005-06-03 2006-06-02 Traversin actif

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2006/021507 A-371-Of-International WO2006132990A1 (fr) 2005-06-03 2006-06-02 Traversin actif

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/955,491 Division US8231138B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2010-11-29 Active bolster

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Publication Number Publication Date
US20090152848A1 true US20090152848A1 (en) 2009-06-18

Family

ID=37498761

Family Applications (8)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/915,797 Abandoned US20090152848A1 (en) 2005-06-03 2006-06-02 Active bolster
US12/955,491 Active US8231138B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2010-11-29 Active bolster
US13/532,561 Expired - Fee Related US8544880B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2012-06-25 Active bolster
US14/010,200 Expired - Fee Related US8801032B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2013-08-26 Active bolster
US14/453,959 Expired - Fee Related US9085275B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2014-08-07 Active bolster
US14/753,265 Expired - Fee Related US9731675B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2015-06-29 Active bolster
US15/654,182 Expired - Fee Related US10315608B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2017-07-19 Active bolster
US16/435,058 Abandoned US20190291682A1 (en) 2005-06-03 2019-06-07 Active bolster

Family Applications After (7)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/955,491 Active US8231138B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2010-11-29 Active bolster
US13/532,561 Expired - Fee Related US8544880B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2012-06-25 Active bolster
US14/010,200 Expired - Fee Related US8801032B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2013-08-26 Active bolster
US14/453,959 Expired - Fee Related US9085275B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2014-08-07 Active bolster
US14/753,265 Expired - Fee Related US9731675B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2015-06-29 Active bolster
US15/654,182 Expired - Fee Related US10315608B2 (en) 2005-06-03 2017-07-19 Active bolster
US16/435,058 Abandoned US20190291682A1 (en) 2005-06-03 2019-06-07 Active bolster

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (8) US20090152848A1 (fr)
EP (2) EP1885583A4 (fr)
JP (1) JP5020235B2 (fr)
KR (1) KR101379620B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006132990A1 (fr)

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US8544880B2 (en) 2013-10-01
US20110133435A1 (en) 2011-06-09
EP2492153A1 (fr) 2012-08-29
US20120261941A1 (en) 2012-10-18
US8801032B2 (en) 2014-08-12
US20130341893A1 (en) 2013-12-26
US20180037186A1 (en) 2018-02-08
US20140346759A1 (en) 2014-11-27
EP1885583A4 (fr) 2010-03-17
US20190291682A1 (en) 2019-09-26
US10315608B2 (en) 2019-06-11
EP1885583A1 (fr) 2008-02-13
US9731675B2 (en) 2017-08-15
US20150298642A1 (en) 2015-10-22
JP2008545581A (ja) 2008-12-18
JP5020235B2 (ja) 2012-09-05
WO2006132990A1 (fr) 2006-12-14
KR20080031227A (ko) 2008-04-08
KR101379620B1 (ko) 2014-03-28
EP2492153B1 (fr) 2014-03-12
US8231138B2 (en) 2012-07-31
WO2006132990A8 (fr) 2008-04-10
US9085275B2 (en) 2015-07-21

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