Vehicle seat side airbag assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for a "vehicle seat side airbag assembly." A seat assembly includes a base. The seat assembly includes an airbag supported by the base. The seat assembly includes a cover adjacent the base. The seat assembly includes a first plurality of ribs extending laterally from the cover and extending toward the base. The seat assembly includes a second plurality of ribs extending laterally from the base and extending toward the cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle airbag assemblies. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicles may include a variety of airbag assemblies capable of deploying during a vehicle collision to absorb energy from the vehicle's occupants. An airbag assembly may include an airbag and an inflator communicating with the airbag's inflation chamber. The inflator can inflate the airbag with an inflation medium, moving it from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The vehicle may include a collision sensing system in communication with the airbag assembly. The collision sensing system can detect a vehicle collision and command the inflator to inflate the airbag upon sensing the collision.

[0003] The vehicle seat frame can support the side airbag assembly. In the uninflated position, the vehicle seat cover can conceal the airbag assembly. In the inflated position, the side airbag can deploy through the cover. The performance of the side airbag depends on the inflation rate. There is still an opportunity to design a vehicle seat side airbag assembly to help facilitate timely and correct airbag deployment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A seat assembly includes a base. The seat assembly includes an airbag supported by the base. The seat assembly includes a cover adjacent to the base. The seat assembly includes a first plurality of ribs extending laterally from the cover and toward the base. The seat assembly includes a second plurality of ribs extending laterally from the base and toward the cover.

[0005] The base may include a groove, and the second plurality of ribs may extend laterally from the groove.

[0006] The groove can define a cavity with an open end, and the first plurality of ribs can extend from the cover toward the open end, and the second plurality of ribs can extend from the base away from the open end.

[0007] The groove and the second plurality of ribs can be integral.

[0008] The groove may include an outer surface, and the second plurality of ribs may extend laterally from the outer surface.

[0009] The base may include a liner, and the second plurality of ribs may extend laterally from the liner.

[0010] The seat assembly may include a seat back defining a vertical axis, and the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs may extend along the vertical axis.

[0011] The seat assembly may include a seat bottom defining a longitudinal axis, and the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs may extend along the longitudinal axis.

[0012] The airbag can be inflated to the inflation position in the inflation direction, and the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs can generally extend perpendicular to the inflation direction.

[0013] The airbag can be inflated to the inflation position in the inflation direction, and the first plurality of ribs can extend from the cover toward the inflation direction, and the second plurality of ribs can extend from the base away from the inflation direction.

[0014] The cover may include a tear seam, and the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs may generally extend parallel to the tear seam.

[0015] The cover may include a tear slit, and the first plurality of ribs may extend from the cover toward the tear slit, and the second plurality of ribs may extend from the base away from the tear slit.

[0016] The seat assembly may include a third plurality of ribs extending laterally from the cover and toward the base, and the cover may include a tear seam between the first plurality of ribs and the third plurality of ribs.

[0017] The seat assembly may include a third plurality of ribs extending laterally from the cover and toward the base, and may include a fourth plurality of ribs extending laterally from the base and toward the cover, and the airbag may inflate to inflation positions between the first plurality of ribs and the third plurality of ribs and between the second plurality of ribs and the fourth plurality of ribs.

[0018] The first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs may extend in opposite directions.

[0019] The cover may include an inner surface, and the first plurality of ribs may extend from the inner surface.

[0020] The first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs may extend parallel to each other. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the vehicle seat, with the frame and seat side airbag assembly shown in inset.

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The image shows a perspective view of the vehicle seats, with one of the airbags deployed and in the inflated position.

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The image shows a perspective view of the vehicle seats, with another airbag deployed and in the inflated position.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the seat side airbag assembly.

[0025] Figure 5 It is the vehicle seat. Figure 1 The cross-sectional view obtained in the direction of arrow 5-5 in the figure.

[0026] Figure 5A yes Figure 5 A magnified view of a portion of it.

[0027] Figure 6 It is the vehicle seat. Figure 1 The cross-sectional view obtained in the direction of arrow 6-6 in the figure.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a collision sensing system. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Referring to the accompanying drawings, in these views the same numbers indicate the same parts. A seat 20 for a vehicle (not shown) includes a base 22. The seat 20 includes one or more airbags 24 supported by the base 22. The seat 20 includes a cover 26 adjacent to the base 22. The seat 20 includes a plurality of ribs 28, which may be referred to as first plurality of ribs, extending laterally from the cover 26 and toward the base 22. The seat 20 includes another plurality of ribs 30, which may be referred to as second plurality of ribs, extending laterally from the base 22 and toward the cover 26. The adjectives “first” and “second” are used throughout this document as identifiers and are not intended to indicate importance or order.

[0030] Multiple ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 engage with multiple ribs 30 extending from the base 22, making it less likely that the cover 26 will move, stretch, or otherwise delay the deployment of the airbag 24 to the inflatable position, for example, when the airbag 24 is inflated. Additionally, the multiple ribs 28, 30 allow for a more flexible and cost-effective assembly process for the seat 20. For example, during assembly, the cover 26 can be rolled down to cover the frame 36, groove 32, padding 34, etc., of the seat 20. When the cover 26 is rolled down, the multiple ribs 28, 30 can engage with each other. This avoids the secondary process of attaching the cover 26 to the groove 32, padding 34, etc.

[0031] The base 22 provides the internal structure for the seat 20. The base 22 may support the cover 26. The base 22 may abut the cover 26. The base 22 may be metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. The base 22 may be a single component of the seat 20 or a combination of components of the seat 20. For example, the base 22 may include a groove 32. Specifically, the outer surface 58 of the groove 32 may support the cover 26, such as... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in the diagram. As another example, the base 22 may include a pad 34. Specifically, the outer surface of the pad 34 may support the cover 26, as shown in the diagram. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in the diagram. The base 22 may include a combination of the slide 32, the pad 34, and / or any other internal components of the seat 20.

[0032] Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 5 to 6 The seat 20 shown is a bucket seat, but alternatively, seat 20 could also be a bench seat or another type of seat.

[0033] Seat 20 may include a seat back 38 and a seat base 40. The seat back 38 may be supported by the seat base 40 and may be fixed or movable relative to the seat base 40. The seat back 38 defines a vertical axis A1. The vertical axis A1 extends between the top “T” and bottom “B” of the seat back 38. The seat base 40 defines a longitudinal axis A2. The longitudinal axis A2 extends between the front “F” and rear “R” of the seat base 40. The seat back 38 and seat base 40 are supported such that the bottom “B” of the seat back 38 is adjacent to the rear “R” of the seat base 40. The vertical axis A1 and the longitudinal axis A2 may be perpendicular or not, for example, depending on the position of the seat back 38 relative to the seat base 40.

[0034] The seat base 40 and / or seat back 38 may include a frame 36, a cover 26, etc. The frame 36 may include tubes, beams, etc. The frame 36 may be formed of any suitable plastic material, such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced semi-finished thermoplastic composite (organic sheet), etc. As another example, some or all components of the frame 36 may be formed of a suitable metal, such as steel, aluminum, etc. The frame 36 supports the cover 26, the slide 32, the airbag 24, etc. The frame 36 may also be formed of a combination of different materials. A pad 34 may also be installed on the frame 36, for example, between the frame 36 and the cover 26. The pad 34 may be foam and / or any other suitable cushioning material.

[0035] The slide 32 can be mounted to the frame 36. The slide 32 may define one or more holes (not shown) that are aligned with one or more holes in the frame 36. Figures 4 to 6 The fastener 42 shown can extend through the hole in the slide 32 into one or more aligned holes in the frame 36 to mount the slide 32 to the frame 36. For example, the fastener 42 can be secured to the inflation device 44 attached to the airbag 24. The fastener 42 can include bolts, clips, screws, Christmas tree fasteners, etc. The fastener 42 can be formed of metals such as steel, aluminum, and other suitable materials.

[0036] Alternatively, fastener 42 may be integrally formed with slide 32, i.e., a single piece of material, without seams, joints, fasteners, welds, or adhesives holding fastener 42 and slide 32 together. As another example, fastener 42 may be formed separately from slide 32 and subsequently attached to slide 32. Fastener 42 may be located near a first end 46 of slide 32. Fastener 42 may extend from slide 32 through one or more aligned holes (not shown) in frame 36 to mount slide 32 to frame 36.

[0037] The slide 32 extends from the frame 36 to the cover 26. The slide 32 can be made of fabric, plastic, metal, fiberglass, or other suitable materials. The slide 32 can be mounted to the frame 36 near its first end 46. A flange 48 of the slide 32 extends from the first end 46 to the second end 50, as shown... Figure 4 As shown in the diagram. The groove 32 may have an inner surface 52 that defines a cavity 54 between a first end 46 and a second end 50. The cavity 54 may have an open end 56. The groove 32 may include an outer surface 58, for example, opposite to the inner surface 52.

[0038] 24 airbags can be used from Figures 1 to 6 Inflate the uninflated position shown in the figure to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The inflation position is shown. The airbag 24 can be formed from any suitable type of material, such as a braided polymer. For example, the airbag 24 can be formed from braided nylon yarn, such as nylon 66. Other suitable examples include polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyester, or any other suitable polymer. The braided polymer may include a coating, such as silicone, neoprene, polyurethane, etc. For example, the coating may be a polysiloxane.

[0039] The airbag 24 is supported by the base 22. For example, the airbag 24 can be secured to the groove 32 in any suitable manner. For example, the airbag 24 can be attached to the inflation device 44. The inflation device 44 may include a threaded fastener 42 that extends through a hole (not shown) in the groove 32 into one or more aligned holes in the frame 36 to mount the airbag 24 to the groove 32 and the groove 32 to the frame 36.

[0040] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, when the airbag 24 is in the deflated position, the groove 32 extends between the airbag 24 and the cover 26. The airbag 24 may, for example, be positioned between the first end 46 of the groove 32 and the flange 48.

[0041] Upon deployment, the airbag 24 inflates through the opening 56 of the cavity 54, via the groove 32, and penetrates the cover 26 to reach the inflation position. The groove 32 guides the inflation of the airbag 24 from the uninflated position to the inflated position, defining the inflation direction D. For example, the inflation direction D can extend from inside the cavity 54 to outside the cavity 54 through the opening 56.

[0042] The airbag 24 in the inflated position may be located between a plurality of ribs 28, 30. For example, a plurality of ribs 30 extending from the groove 32 and engaging with the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 may be located on one side of the airbag 24 in the inflated position, and a plurality of ribs 30 extending from the cushion 34 and engaging with the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 may be located on the opposite side of the airbag 24 in the inflated position. In other words, the airbag 24 in the inflated position may be located between a plurality of ribs 30 extending from the groove 32 to engage with the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 and a plurality of ribs 30 extending from the cushion 34 to engage with the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26.

[0043] Inflation device 44 is in fluid communication with the inflation chamber (not shown) of airbag 24. Inflation device 44 inflates airbag 24 with an inflation medium such as gas, causing airbag 24 to move from an uninflated position to an inflated position. Inflation device 44 may be, for example, a pyrotechnic inflation device that uses a chemical reaction to drive the inflation medium into airbag 24. Alternatively, inflation device 44 may be, for example, a cold-air inflation device that, when activated, ignites pyrotechnic filler that creates an opening for releasing pressurized inflation medium into airbag 24 via a filler tube (not shown). Alternatively, inflation device 44 may be any suitable type, such as a hybrid inflation device.

[0044] The cover 26 can cover the slide 32, frame 36, airbag 24, padding 34, etc. The cover 26 includes an inner surface 60 and an outer surface 62 opposite to the inner surface 60, such as... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in the diagram. Cover 26 may be adjacent to base 22. For example, the inner surface 60 of cover 26 may be adjacent to groove 32, pad 34, etc. Cover 26 may be formed of any suitable material, including fabrics such as cloth, vinyl, leather, etc., and combinations thereof.

[0045] The cover 26 can be formed from one or more plates of material. For example, see reference. Figure 5 The cover 26 of the seat back 38 may include a side panel 64, a front panel 66, and a rear panel 68. For example, see reference. Figure 6 The cover 26 of the seat bottom 40 may include side panels 70, top panels 72, etc. Side panels 64 and front panels 66, side panels 70 and top panels 72, etc., may be connected together by one or more tear seams 74. Tear seams 74 may be connected together by one or more fracture stitches 76 or other known structures, materials, and methods.

[0046] Tear 74 is fracture-resistant relative to panels 64, 66, 68, 70, and 72. In other words, tear 74 is designed to fracture in response to the force applied to the cover 26 by the airbag 24 during the deployment of the airbag 24 from its uninflated position to its inflated position. For example, the material type, size, and / or shape of tear 74 can be designed to fracture in response to the inflation of the airbag 24. When tear 74 fractures, the airbag 24 extends through tear 74 and outwards from the cover 26.

[0047] The tear slit 74 may be between a plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26. In other words, one set of a plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 may be on one side of the tear slit 74, while another set of a plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 may be on the opposite side of the tear slit 74.

[0048] The plurality of ribs 30 extending from the base 22 and the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 are designed to engage with each other. For example, the plurality of ribs 30 extending from the base 22 may be arranged alternately with the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26. In other words, ribs 30 of the plurality of ribs 30 extending from the base 22 may be positioned between ribs 28 of the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26, and vice versa.

[0049] During the initial assembly of the seat 20, the plurality of ribs 30 extending from the base 22 and the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 can engage with each other. For example, when the cover 26 is installed, the cover 26 can be positioned such that the plurality of ribs 30 extending from the base 22 and the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 engage with each other. In other words, during installation, the cover 26 can be allowed to slide or roll along the longitudinal direction of the ribs 28, 30, while at the same time, the ribs 28, 30 can prevent the cover 26 from moving relative to the base 22 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ribs 28, 30.

[0050] When the airbag 24 inflates, a plurality of ribs 30 extending from the base 22 and a plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 may engage with each other. For example, as described above, the plurality of ribs 30 and the plurality of ribs 28 may engage with each other before inflation and may remain engaged during the inflation of the airbag 24. As another example, before the airbag 24 inflates, the cover 26 may be spaced apart from a groove 32 (not shown), and the cover 26 may move unrestrained relative to the groove 32. The inflation of the airbag 24 may push the groove 32 toward the cover 26, causing the plurality of ribs 30 extending from the groove 32 to engage with the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26, and restraining the movement of the cover 26 relative to the groove 32.

[0051] The plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 may be plastic or any other suitable material. The plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 and the cover 26 may be integral. The plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 may, for example, be fixed to the inner surface 60 of the cover 26 with adhesive as a laminate material, etc.

[0052] Multiple ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 may extend laterally from the cover 26 and toward the base 22, such as Figures 5 to 6 As shown in the diagram. Specifically, a plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 may extend from the inner surface 60 of the cover 26.

[0053] Multiple ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 may extend toward the opening end 56 of the cavity 54. For example, each of the multiple ribs 28 may extend from the proximal end 80 of the cover 26 to the distal end 78, such as... Figure 5A As shown in the diagram. The distal end 78 can be closer to the opening end 56 of the cavity 54 than the distance from the proximal end 80 to the opening end 56. The proximal end 80 can be closer to the inner surface 60 of the cover 26 than the distance from the distal end 78 to the inner surface 60 of the cover 26.

[0054] Multiple ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 may extend toward the tear 74. For example, the distal end 78 may be closer to the tear 74 than the distance from the proximal end 80 to the tear 74. The proximal end 80 may be closer to the inner surface 60 of the cover 26 than the distance from the distal end 78 to the inner surface 60 of the cover 26.

[0055] Multiple ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 may extend toward the inflation direction D of the airbag 24. For example, each of the multiple ribs 28 may extend from its proximal end 80 to its distal end 78 in the inflation direction D.

[0056] The plurality of ribs 30 extending from the base 22 may be plastic or any other suitable material. The plurality of ribs 30 extending from the base 22 may be integral. For example, the groove 32 and the plurality of ribs 30 extending from the groove 32 may be integral. For example, the gasket 34 and the plurality of ribs 30 extending from the gasket 34 may be integral. The plurality of ribs 30 extending from the base 22 may be, for example, fixed to the base 22 with adhesive (e.g., fixed to the groove 32, gasket 34, etc.) as a laminate material, etc.

[0057] Multiple ribs 30 extending from the base 22 extend laterally from the base 22 and toward the cover 26. For example, multiple ribs 30 extending from the groove 32 may extend laterally from the groove 32, for example, from the outer surface 58 of the groove 32. For example, multiple ribs 30 extending from the liner 34 may extend laterally from the liner 34.

[0058] The plurality of ribs 30 extending from the base 22 may extend in opposite directions relative to the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26. For example, the plurality of ribs 30 extending from the base 22 may extend away from the opening end 56 of the cavity 54, for example, when the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 extend toward the opening end 56 of the cavity 54. For example, the plurality of ribs 30 extending from the base 22 may extend away from the tear seam 74, for example, when the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 extend toward the tear seam 74. For example, the plurality of ribs 30 extending from the base 22 may extend away from the inflation direction D of the airbag 24, for example, when the plurality of ribs 28 extending from the cover 26 extend toward the inflation direction D.

[0059] refer to Figures 1 to 3 Multiple ribs 28 and 30 can extend parallel to each other. For example, multiple ribs 28 and 30 of the seat back 38 can extend parallel to each other. For example, multiple ribs 28 and 30 of the seat bottom 40 can extend parallel to each other. Multiple ribs 28 and 30 can generally extend parallel to the tear seam 74.

[0060] Multiple ribs 28 and 30 can generally extend perpendicular to the inflation direction D of the airbag 24, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the diagram. For example, when multiple ribs 28, 30 are on the seat back 38, wherein the airbag 24 of the seat back 38 inflates in a generally horizontal direction relative to the vertical axis A1, the multiple ribs 28, 30 may extend along the vertical axis A1, for example, between the top "T" and the bottom "B" of the seat back 38, as shown in the diagram. Figure 2 As shown in the diagram. For example, when multiple ribs 28, 30 are on the seat bottom 40, wherein the airbag 24 of the seat back 38 inflates in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A2, the multiple ribs 28, 30 may extend along the longitudinal axis A2, for example, between the front “F” and the rear “R” of the seat bottom 40, as shown in the diagram. Figure 3 As shown in the image.

[0061] Now for reference Figure 7 The vehicle (not shown) may include a collision sensing system 82. The collision sensing system 82 may include: at least one sensor 84 for sensing a collision with the vehicle; a controller 86 communicating with the sensor 84; and an inflator 44 connected to an airbag 24 to inflate the airbag 24 to its inflation position when the sensor 84 senses a collision with the vehicle. Alternatively, or in addition to sensing a collision, the collision sensing system 82 may be configured to sense a collision before it occurs, i.e., pre-collision sensing. The sensor 84 may be of any suitable type, such as using radar, lidar, and / or a vision system. The vision system may include one or more cameras, a CCD image sensor, and / or a CMOS image sensor, etc.

[0062] The controller 86 may be a microprocessor-based processor. The controller 86 may include a processor, memory, etc. The memory of the controller 86 may store instructions executable by the processor. The sensor 84 communicates with the controller 86 to transmit data to the controller 86. Based on the data transmitted by the sensor 84, the controller 86 commands the inflation device 44 to start.

[0063] The collision sensing system 82 can transmit signals via a communication network 88 (such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus), Ethernet, and / or any other wired or wireless communication network. The controller 86 can use information from the communication network 88 to control the activation of the inflation device 44. The inflation device 44 can be connected to the controller 86, such as... Figure 7 As shown in the diagram, it can also be directly connected to the communication network 88.

[0064] During operation, the airbag 24 is in the uninflated position. In the event of a collision, sensor 84 can detect the collision and send a signal to controller 86 via communication network 88. Controller 86 can then send a signal to inflator 44 via communication network 88. Upon receiving the signal, inflator 44 can release and inflate airbag 24. When airbag 24 inflates, groove 32 and pad 34 are pushed against cover 26, causing multiple ribs 28, 30 to engage with each other. Airbag 24 generates tension within cover 26. The multiple ribs 28, 30 constrain the movement of cover 26 relative to groove 32 and pad 34, thereby concentrating the tension at tear seam 74. The concentrated tension causes stitch 76 to break, opening tear seam 74, and airbag 24 deploys outside seat 20.

[0065] This disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it should be understood that the terminology used is intended to describe the nature of the words rather than to be limiting. In view of the foregoing teachings, many modifications and variations of this disclosure are possible, and the invention may be practiced in ways other than those specifically described.

[0066] According to the present invention, a seat assembly is provided, the seat assembly having: a base; an airbag supported by the base; a cover adjacent to the base; a first plurality of ribs extending laterally from the cover and toward the base; and a second plurality of ribs extending laterally from the base and toward the cover.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the base includes a groove, and the second plurality of ribs extend laterally from the groove.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the groove defines a cavity with an open end, and the first plurality of ribs extend from the cover toward the open end, and the second plurality of ribs extend from the base away from the open end.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the groove and the second plurality of ribs are integral.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the groove includes an outer surface, and the second plurality of ribs extend laterally from the outer surface.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the base includes a liner, and the second plurality of ribs extend laterally from the liner.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a seat back that defines a vertical axis, wherein the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs extend along the vertical axis.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a seat bottom defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs extend along the longitudinal axis.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the airbag is inflatable in the inflation direction to an inflation position, and wherein the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs extend generally perpendicular to the inflation direction.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the airbag is inflatable to an inflatable position in an inflation direction, wherein the first plurality of ribs extend from the cover toward the inflation direction, and the second plurality of ribs extend from the base away from the inflation direction.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the cover includes a tear slit, and the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs generally extend parallel to the tear slit.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the cover includes a tear slit, and a first plurality of ribs extend from the cover toward the tear slit, and a second plurality of ribs extend from the base away from the tear slit.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a third plurality of ribs extending laterally from the cover and toward the base, wherein the cover includes a tear seam between the first plurality of ribs and the third plurality of ribs.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a third plurality of ribs extending laterally from the cover and toward the base, and a fourth plurality of ribs extending laterally from the base and toward the cover, wherein the airbag is inflatable to an inflation position between the first plurality of ribs and the third plurality of ribs and between the second plurality of ribs and the fourth plurality of ribs.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs extend in opposite directions.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the cover includes an inner surface, and the first plurality of ribs extend from the inner surface.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs extend parallel to each other.

Claims

1. A seat assembly, the seat assembly comprising: Base; An airbag, the airbag being supported by the base; A cover adjacent to the base, the base including a groove; A plurality of ribs extend laterally from the cover and toward the base; and The second plurality of ribs extend laterally from the base and toward the cover; Specifically, before the airbag inflates, the cover moves unrestrained relative to the slide, and when the airbag inflates, the first plurality of ribs engage with the second plurality of ribs to restrain the movement of the cover relative to the slide.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of ribs extends laterally from the slide groove.

3. The seat assembly of claim 2, wherein the slide defines a cavity having an open end, and the first plurality of ribs extend from the cover toward the open end, and the second plurality of ribs extend from the base away from the open end.

4. The seat assembly of claim 2, wherein the slide and the second plurality of ribs are integral.

5. The seat assembly of claim 2, wherein the slide includes an outer surface, and the second plurality of ribs extend laterally from the outer surface.

6. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the base includes a cushion, and the second plurality of ribs extend laterally from the cushion.

7. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag is inflatable in the inflation direction to an inflation position, and wherein the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs extend generally perpendicular to the inflation direction.

8. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag is inflatable in the inflation direction to an inflation position, and wherein the first plurality of ribs extend from the cover toward the inflation direction, and the second plurality of ribs extend from the base away from the inflation direction.

9. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a tear seam, and the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs extend generally parallel to the tear seam.

10. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a tear seam, and the first plurality of ribs extend from the cover toward the tear seam, and the second plurality of ribs extend from the base away from the tear seam.

11. The seat assembly of claim 1, further comprising a third plurality of ribs extending laterally from the cover and toward the base, wherein the cover includes a tear seam between the first plurality of ribs and the third plurality of ribs.

12. The seat assembly of claim 1, further comprising a third plurality of ribs extending laterally from the cover and toward the base, and a fourth plurality of ribs extending laterally from the base and toward the cover, wherein the airbag is inflatable to an inflation position between the first plurality of ribs and the third plurality of ribs and between the second plurality of ribs and the fourth plurality of ribs.

13. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs extend in opposite directions.

14. The seat assembly of any one of claims 1 to 13, the seat assembly further comprising a seat back defining a vertical axis, wherein the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs extend along the vertical axis.

15. The seat assembly of any one of claims 1 to 13, the seat assembly further comprising a seat bottom defining a longitudinal axis, and wherein the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs extend along the longitudinal axis.

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