A distal airbag assembly having a pillow and a sail

Abstract

This invention discloses a distal inflatable airbag assembly that is installed to deploy adjacent to the occupant during a distal or distal oblique collision event, and can hold the occupant in their vehicle occupant position to protect them from collisions with vehicle interior structures and other vehicle occupants. The distal inflatable airbag assembly disclosed in this invention can be particularly advantageous when installed between the vehicle occupant positions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to the field of automotive protection systems. More specifically, this disclosure relates to airbag assemblies configured to deploy in response to a collision event, such as distal airbag assemblies. Background Technology

[0002] Protection systems are installed in vehicles to protect occupants during a collision. Some protection systems include inflatable distal airbags. Some protection systems have one or more drawbacks, or perform less than ideally in one or more aspects. Certain embodiments disclosed herein can address one or more of these problems. Attached Figure Description

[0003] Embodiments of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. It should be understood that the drawings depict only typical embodiments and are therefore not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure; the embodiments will be described and illustrated in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0004] Figure 1 This is a side view of a portion of the interior of a vehicle equipped with a distal inflatable airbag assembly according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0005] Figure 2A It has Figure 1 A side view of a portion of a vehicle with a distal inflatable airbag assembly, wherein the distal inflatable airbag assembly is partially deployed.

[0006] Figure 2B It is based on the implementation scheme of this disclosure and has Figure 1 and Figure 2A A side view of a portion of the vehicle interior containing the distal inflatable airbag assembly, with the inflatable airbag cushion substantially inflated.

[0007] Figure 3 It is based on the implementation scheme of this disclosure and has Figures 1 to 2B A relative side view of a portion of the vehicle interior of the distal inflatable airbag assembly, wherein the inflatable airbag cushion is substantially deployed.

[0008] Figure 4 It is based on the implementation scheme of this disclosure and has Figures 1 to 3 A plan view of the vehicle occupant position with the distal inflatable airbag assembly in the deployed state.

[0009] Figure 5 It is in a pre-installed state according to the implementation scheme of this disclosure. Figures 1 to 4A plan view of the inflatable airbag pad of the inflatable airbag assembly.

[0010] Figure 6 It is in the unfolded state. Figures 1 to 5 The inflatable airbag cushion of the distal inflatable airbag assembly receives the frontal view of an occupant seated in the vehicle occupant position. Detailed Implementation

[0011] It is readily understood that the components of the embodiments generally described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Therefore, as shown in the drawings, the following more detailed description of various embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure protected by the claims, but rather represents only various embodiments. Although various aspects of the embodiments are presented in the drawings, they are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

[0012] Occupant protection systems (such as inflatable airbag assemblies) can be installed in various locations within a vehicle to reduce or minimize occupant injury during a collision. Inflatable airbag assemblies are widely used to reduce or minimize occupant injury during a collision. Airbag modules are installed in various locations within the vehicle, including but not limited to those in the steering wheel, dashboard and / or instrument panel, side doors, seats or adjacent to seats, adjacent to the vehicle's roof rails, in the head area, or in the knee or leg area. In the following disclosure, "airbag" generally refers to an inflatable airbag that deploys during a collision to protect occupants.

[0013] This disclosure relates to a distal airbag assembly configured to deploy during a distal impact event (including an oblique distal impact event) to protect an occupant. When a vehicle is impacted on the side of the vehicle opposite to the location of the relevant occupant (e.g., the lateral side), a distal impact event occurs for the relevant occupant, causing the event to generate a force that tends to push the distal side of the vehicle directly or obliquely in the direction of the occupant. In other words, in a distal impact event, the relevant occupant is positioned facing the side of the vehicle opposite to the side impacted during the event. For example, when an impact occurs on the right side of the vehicle, an occupant in a left-side seat experiences the distal impact. The distal inflatable airbag assembly can be mounted and positioned relative to a specific vehicle occupant position between the vehicle occupant position and the distal side of the vehicle. The distal inflatable airbag assembly can deploy an inflatable airbag cushion in response to a distal impact event, and the inflatable airbag cushion can be configured to reduce or eliminate the effect of the force of the distal impact on the occupant in the specific vehicle occupant position. Inflatable airbag cushions can reduce the movement of occupants toward the vehicle structure (e.g., the console between seats, the steering wheel, etc.) or toward or into the occupant position of an adjacent vehicle, and can reduce the likelihood or severity of a collision between an occupant and the vehicle structure or another occupant, thereby reducing or preventing injury to occupants in a far-side collision event.

[0014] As used herein, the terms “dashboard” and “instrument panel” refer to the prominent area of ​​a motor vehicle that is in front of the occupants, which typically includes a glove box in its passenger-facing portion and may include instruments (e.g., a radio and / or climate controls) in its more central area, although such instruments are not required to be present.

[0015] The term "relative" is used in this article to refer to the relationship in which a particular feature or component is placed in a position corresponding to another related feature or component, where the corresponding features or components are juxtaposed in position. For example, a person's right hand is relative to a person's left hand.

[0016] As used herein, the term "inner side" generally refers to a direction toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle; however, the present invention contemplates that the seating is not limited to a two-span configuration in the vehicle. In such embodiments, "inner side" refers to a direction from one vehicle occupant position toward an adjacent vehicle occupant position. In embodiments with three or more seats arranged in a row, for the purposes of this disclosure, each seat not located at the end of the row may have an "inner side" on any one or two lateral sides of the vehicle occupant position. Furthermore, in some embodiments, "inner side" refers to a direction from the vehicle occupant position toward the space or gap between the vehicle occupant position and the side structure of the vehicle (e.g., cargo space adjacent to the vehicle seating position).

[0017] During installation, airbags are typically housed inside the casing in a packaged state (e.g., rolled up, folded, and / or otherwise compressed) or compact configuration, and may remain in the packaged state behind a cover. During a collision, an inflator is triggered, rapidly inflating the airbag with gas. The airbag can rapidly transition from a packaged state (e.g., compact configuration) to a deployed state or an inflated configuration. For example, an inflated airbag may open the airbag cover (e.g., by tearing a burst seam or opening a door-like structure) to exit the casing. The inflator can be triggered by any suitable device or system, and this triggering may be responsive to and / or influenced by one or more vehicle sensors. The airbag assembly mitigates injury to vehicle occupants during a collision by reducing the impact of a collision on structures within the vehicle, such as, for example, the dashboard or door pillars (body structure impact).

[0018] Some of the embodiments disclosed herein can provide improved positioning, cushioning, and / or safety for occupants involved in specific types of collisions. Examples of collision types in which certain embodiments may prove advantageous include one or more of the following: (1) a collision in which the impacting object fails to engage the longitudinal structural components of the occupant vehicle and / or the engine block; (2) a collision in which the impact force is primarily applied outside the left or right longitudinal beam of the occupant vehicle; (3) a collision classified as FLEE or FREE according to a collision deformation classification scheme; (4) a frontal collision in which the point of impact with the occupant vehicle does not exceed 25% of the vehicle width; (5) a collision as defined by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) small overlap frontal impact test; or (6) a collision as defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) oblique impact test. The conditions for the IIHS small overlap frontal crash test and the NHTSA oblique impact test are disclosed in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Small Overlap Frontal Crash Test Protocol (Version 2) (December 2012); and Saunders, J., Craig, M., and Parent, D., "Moving Deformable Barrier Test Procedure for Evaluating Small Overlap / Oblique Crashes," SAE Int. J. Commer. Veh. 5(1): 172–195 (2012). As used herein, the term "oblique" is intended to encompass, when used to describe a collision (collision, impact, etc.), the aforementioned collision and any other collision in which the direction of occupant travel due to the impact includes both a forward direction or component and a lateral direction or component. In this disclosure, the longitudinal component of the occupant's post-collision trajectory during or after an oblique impact may be oriented in the forward direction of the vehicle.

[0019] Figure 1This is a side view of a portion of the interior of a vehicle 10 equipped with a distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. A dashboard / instrument panel (“dash”) 12 is shown for reference, as are a steering wheel 13, a windshield 14, a roof 16 of the vehicle 10, and a distal door 20. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle occupant position 30 defined by seats 32 (e.g., driver's seat, front passenger seat, etc.), and may be the position where an occupant is typically located when seated in the vehicle. The vehicle occupant position 30 may be a position where the vehicle 10 and / or the seats 32 are designed to transport an occupant 50 and / or where the occupant 50 can be seated before and / or during a collision event. In the current example of an embodiment of this disclosure, the vehicle occupant position 30 is positioned facing the left side of the vehicle 10, and the door 20 is on the right side of the vehicle 10, and another vehicle occupant position (not shown, but similar in many respects to vehicle occupant position 30) may be positioned between the vehicle occupant position 30 and the door 20. In a left-hand drive vehicle with a straddle-type front seat, the occupant position 30 shown in the current embodiment is defined by the driver's seat 32. In a right-hand drive vehicle with a straddle-type front seat, the occupant position 30 is defined by the front passenger seat 32. The seat 32 includes a seat base 34 and a seat back 36. The seat back 36 includes a gap 37 configured to receive and support the distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 of this disclosure. The gap 37 may be located on the inner side portion of the seat back 36, and the distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 may be at least partially mounted within the gap 37. An occupant 50 is shown seated in the occupant position 30. The occupant 50's head 52, proximal shoulder 54 (relative to...) Figure 1 The observer and torso 56 are identified for reference. Occupant 50 also has a distal shoulder 55. Vehicle occupant position 30 includes a shoulder portion 38, which may be configured to accommodate the shoulders 54, 55 of occupant 50, or may otherwise be used as a position in which the shoulders of occupant 50 can be positioned within vehicle occupant position 30.

[0020] Although a steering wheel 13 is shown, occupant 50 may be a driver or passenger of vehicle 10. In a typical embodiment of this disclosure, an additional vehicle occupant position is located between vehicle occupant position 30 and door 20. Distant inflatable airbag assembly 100 is disposed within a gap 37, and the gap 37 is located in a portion (e.g., a side portion) of seat back 36 facing door 20. In one embodiment, the gap 37 may be located in a side portion of seat back 36 facing the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and spaced apart from a laterally adjacent seat or vehicle occupant position to limit the medial lateral displacement of at least a portion of the occupant in the vehicle occupant position during a distal collision event.

[0021] In one embodiment, the distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 may be an integrated airbag module comprising a housing, an inflator, and an inflatable airbag pad in a packaged state (see [link]). Figure 2A , Figure 2B The distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 may include individual components such as the housing 102, inflator 104, and inflatable airbag pad 110, which can be individually installed into the gap 37 of the seat back 36 of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, this disclosure contemplates that the distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 can be installed into the vehicle 10 during or after its manufacture. The gap 37 in the seat back 36 is adjacent to and disposed on the inside (facing the distal door 20) of the support structure of the seat back 36. The distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 may be secured to the support structure to be disposed within the gap 37.

[0022] Figure 2A It has Figure 1 This is a side view of a portion of a vehicle 10 with a distal inflatable airbag assembly 100, wherein the distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 is at least partially deployed. For reference, a dashboard 12, windshield 14, and roof 16 are shown, as are the vehicle occupant position 30 and seatback 36. The distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 includes a housing 102, an inflator 104, and an inflatable airbag pad 110. The inflatable airbag pad 110 includes an inflation hose 112, a main pad 120, a headrest 130, and a sail 140. The inflation hose 112 includes a tube or channel connecting the inflatable airbag pad 110 to the inflator 104. The inflation hose 112 is configured to guide inflation gas from the inflator 104 into a cavity defined by the main pad 120. The headrest 130 also defines a cavity for receiving inflation gas. In other words, the main pad 120 and the pillow pad 130, when in the unfolded state, each define a gap to receive the inflatable gas, while the sailboard 140 remains uninflated.

[0023] exist Figure 2A In this context, one or more sensors (not shown) have identified or otherwise detected a collision event, which can be characterized as a distal collision or a distal oblique collision event targeting the vehicle occupant position 30. One or more sensors have accordingly triggered the deployment of the distal inflatable airbag assembly 100. The deployment of the distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 involves the activation of the inflator 104, the opening of the housing 102, and the inflation and positioning of the inflatable airbag cushion 110 adjacent to and inside the occupant 50 (between the occupant 50 and the distal door 20). Initial inflation of the inflatable airbag cushion 110 forces the closure (not shown) of the housing 102 to open.

[0024] The inflatable airbag cushion 110 is inflated by introducing inflation gas from the inflator 104 through the inflation hose 112 into the main cushion 120. When the inflatable airbag cushion 110 begins to inflate, it creates a gap from the inner side portion of the seat back 36 (see...). Figure 1 The gap 37 in the cushion extends forward to position itself adjacent to the vehicle occupant position 30, and more specifically, to the occupant 50. The upper portion of the cushion 130 is connected to the upper portion of the main cushion 120. When the main cushion 120 is inflated, inflation gas from the gap in the main cushion 120 can be introduced 108 from the main cushion 120 into the cushion 130. A first end of the sail 140 is connected to the lower portion of the main cushion 120, and a second end of the sail 140 is connected to the lower portion of the cushion 130. The cushion 130 and the sail 140 can also extend laterally during deployment. When the main cushion 120 and the cushion 130 are inflated and deployed, the sail 140 is taut. In the inflated state, the main cushion 120, the cushion 130, and the sail 140 form a shape that can be characterized as generally triangular or donut-shaped (hereinafter, "triangular shape"). When deployed, the main cushion 120, the headrest 130, and the sail 140 form a triangular shape in a plane transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle 10. As will be described more fully, the triangular shape allows the main cushion 120, the headrest 130, and the sail 140 to support each other and provide resistance to lateral deflection of the inflatable airbag cushion 110.

[0025] Figure 2B It has Figure 1 and Figure 2A A side view of a portion of the interior of the vehicle 10 containing the distal inflatable airbag assembly 100, wherein the inflatable airbag cushion 110 is in a deployed state (e.g., substantially inflated). In the deployed state, the triangular shape of the inflatable airbag cushion 110 extends over the distal shoulder 55 (relative to...). Figure 2A and Figure 2B(From the observer's perspective). In other words, the inflatable airbag cushion 110 can deploy forward into the shoulder portion 38 of the vehicle occupant position 30, which is positioned in the direction of a distal collision event. The first vertex 172 of the triangular shape is oriented towards the roof 16, the second vertex 174 is oriented downwards, and the third vertex 176 of the triangular shape extends beyond the distal shoulder 55 and is positioned towards the occupant 50. The first vertex 172 is formed at the junction of the main cushion 120 and the headrest cushion 130. The second vertex 174 is formed at the junction of the main cushion 120 and the sail 140. The third vertex 176 is formed at the junction of the headrest cushion 130 and the sail 140. The sail 140 can engage the distal shoulder 55 of the occupant 50. The headrest cushion 130 and the sail 140 are configured to extend laterally away from the main cushion 120 in the deployed state. In other words, vertex 176 extends laterally away from the main cushion 120 and towards the occupant seating position 30 in the deployed state. The pillow 130 can be configured to receive and support the head 52 of the occupant 50.

[0026] The triangular shape of the inflatable airbag cushion 110 allows the main cushion 120, the headrest cushion 130, and the sail 140 to support each other. Furthermore, the triangular shape of the inflatable airbag cushion 110 provides a high degree of resistance to deflection. With a relatively small volume of inflatable gas, the headrest cushion 130 and the sail 140 allow for a certain lateral width of the cushion, which can limit deflection and also accommodate the shoulders 55 and head 52 of the occupant 50 early to limit lateral movement of the occupant 50. In other words, the triangular shape of the inflatable airbag cushion 110 in its deployed state can resist deflection in a direction generally toward the distal side of the vehicle 10, including oblique deflection. The degree of resistance to deflection is a function of the lateral width (or effective lateral width) of the inflatable airbag cushion 110. The greater the effective lateral width of the inflatable airbag cushion 110, the more difficult it is to bend in that lateral direction. In other words, the combined main cushion 120 and pillow cushion 130 (and, as constructed by a sailboard) 140 can achieve a certain lateral width (relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10; see, for example) Figure 6 The longitudinal axis 45 of the vehicle 10 provides significant support for the occupant 50 during or immediately after a collision event. With respect to the relative timing between the collision event, the translation of the vehicle moment caused by the collision event, and the relative translation of the moment of the occupant 50 within the vehicle 10, the occupant 50 can be supported by the inflatable airbag cushion 110 before reaching a significant velocity (or vehicle moment translation) relative to the vehicle 10. A lower relative velocity of the occupant 50 relative to the vehicle 10 allows the inflatable airbag cushion 110 to more effectively hold the occupant 50 within the vehicle occupant position 30. Furthermore, a lower relative velocity of the occupant 50 relative to the vehicle 10 can prevent or mitigate injury to the occupant 50 caused by impact with the internal structure of the vehicle 10.

[0027] The triangular shape of the inflatable airbag cushion 110 in its deployed state allows the headrest 130 to receive and support the head 52 of the occupant 50, with the head 52 and more specifically the neck 53 of the occupant 50 generally aligned with the torso 56 of the occupant 50. The triangular shape of the inflatable airbag cushion 110 also allows the sail 140 to receive and support the distal shoulder 55 of the occupant 50, while the headrest 130 engages and supports the head 52 and neck 53 of the occupant 50. The headrest 130, sail 140, and main cushion 120 form a triangular shape configured to engage the occupant 50 earlier in a collision event, thereby reducing lateral movement of the occupant 50. Furthermore, this earlier engagement can be achieved via the headrest 130 and sail 140 without requiring a large volume of inflation gas. The distal shoulder 55 supporting the occupant 50 provides inherent support to the torso 56 of the occupant 50; therefore, in the deployed state, the sail 140 is configured to limit lateral displacement of the torso 56 of the occupant 50 in the vehicle occupant position 30. This combined support of the head 52, neck 53, and torso 56 can help to generally maintain the alignment of the spine 57 of the occupant 50, which in turn can reduce the likelihood or severity of injury to each of the head 52, neck 53, distal shoulder 55, torso 56, and spine 57 of the occupant 50. The apexes 172, 174, and 176 allow for a degree of articulation of each of the main cushion 120, the headrest 130, and the sail 140, while also transmitting mutual support between them and providing a degree of resistance to deflection of the inflatable airbag cushion 110 away from the occupant 50.

[0028] Figure 3 It has Figure 1 and Figures 2A to 2B A relative side view of a portion of the interior of a vehicle 10 containing the distal inflatable airbag assembly 100, wherein the inflatable airbag cushion 110 is substantially deployed. For reference, the dashboard 12, windshield 14, roof 16, and near-side door 22 of the vehicle 10, as well as the vehicle occupant position 30 and seatback 36, are shown. For reference, the head 52 and distal shoulder 55 of the occupant 50 are shown (closer to the viewing plane in this view). The main cushion 120 of the inflatable airbag cushion 110 has a generally vertical arrangement. A headrest 130 and a flap 140 are configured to deploy in a direction laterally away from the main cushion 120. The headrest 130 is positioned toward the occupant 50, more specifically, toward the head 52 of the occupant 50, and at least partially on the distal shoulder 55. The flap 140 is positioned toward the occupant 50 and can engage against the distal shoulder 55 of the occupant 50.

[0029] The main pad 120 is configured to have a first coupling 122 (e.g., a tether or zero-length tether or other uninflated area). The first coupling 122 is connected to two plates of the inflatable airbag pad 110 (see...). Figure 5 The first connector 122 is positioned between the first plate 150 and the second plate 152 to reduce the volume of the void defined by the main pad 120. The first connector 122 also provides additional structural support to the main pad 120, and thus to the inflatable airbag cushion 110. In other words, the first connector 122 can limit the degree of deformation that the main pad 120 is prone to by creating an anchoring point near the center of the main pad 120 relative to its periphery. Furthermore, by reducing the volume of the void defined by the main pad 120, the first connector 122 reduces the total volume of inflatable gas required to inflate the inflatable airbag cushion 110, which can result in a shorter timing between the start of deployment and the achievement of substantial deployment. This reduction in the total volume of inflatable gas required to inflate the inflatable airbag cushion 110 allows for the use of a smaller inflator 104, resulting in a more compact distal inflatable airbag assembly 100.

[0030] Figure 4 It has Figures 1 to 3 A plan view of the vehicle occupant position 30 of the vehicle 10 with the distal inflatable airbag assembly 100, wherein the inflatable airbag cushion 110 is deployed. The vehicle is indicated in the forward direction 47 (see [reference]). Figures 1 to 3 The logical centerline 45 of the vehicle (in the example). The inflatable airbag cushion 110 is substantially inflated. For this example, and without limitation, the occupant 50 is seated in an upright position on the seat base 34 and against the seat back 36. The main cushion 120 is positioned generally vertically and inside the occupant 50. The rear portion of the main cushion 120 can extend generally upward and forward from the inflator 104, while the front portion of the main cushion 120 is slightly angled toward the vehicle occupant position 30. In other words, the inflatable airbag cushion 110 can first unfold upward from the seat back 36 and then forward to position a portion of the main cushion 120 on the distal shoulder 55 of the occupant 50 and into (or across) the shoulder portion 38 of the vehicle occupant position 30. The headrest 130 is positioned toward the occupant 50. More specifically, the headrest 130 may extend laterally (relative to the vehicle's logical centerline 45, and in at least some embodiments, away from the vehicle's logical centerline) to be at least partially positioned on or within the shoulder portion 38 of the vehicle occupant position 30. The headrest 130 has a second connector 132. The second connector 132 is connected to two plates of the inflatable airbag cushion 110 (see...). Figure 5Between the first plate 150 and the second plate 152. The second connector 132 reduces the total volume of inflation gas required to inflate the inflatable airbag cushion 110. The second connector 132 also configures the inflatable airbag cushion 110 to form a first apex (see...). Figure 2B The first vertex (172) and the third vertex (see Figure 2B The third vertex 176 of the first vertex is positioned with the headrest 130 facing the head 52 of the occupant 50, and the third vertex is positioned beyond the distal shoulder 55 of the occupant 50. The second connector 132 also configures the inflatable airbag cushion 110 to guide the inflation gas from the main cushion 120 to the headrest 130. (as described above) Figure 2A The illustration shows inflatable gas being introduced from the main pad 120 to the pillow pad 130 at 108.

[0031] Figure 4 The headrest 130 has a plate 131 disposed toward the vehicle occupant position 30. The plate 131 has a curved profile disposed toward the occupant 50 at its front end. The curved profile is configured to receive the head 52 of the occupant 50 to prevent or reduce injury to the head 52 by limiting one or more of forward movement of the head 52, lateral movement of the head 52, oblique movement of the head 52, and rotation of the head 52.

[0032] The main cushion 120 and the pillow cushion 130 form a first vertex 172 of a triangle shape at the second connector 132. The lower part of the main cushion 120 is connected to the lower part of the sail 140 to form a second vertex 174. The lower part of the pillow cushion 130 is connected to the upper part of the sail 140 to form a third vertex 176. The sail 140 is configured to engage the distal shoulder 55 of the occupant 50. The sail 140 and the pillow cushion 130 (e.g., a plate 131 with a curved profile) engage the distal shoulder 55 and head 52 of the occupant 50, respectively, to support the head 52, distal shoulder 55, torso 56, and neck 53 of the occupant 50 during a distal impact event or a distal oblique impact event. The inflatable airbag cushion 110 thus configured can prevent or reduce the degree of injury to the occupant 50 in a distal impact event or a distal oblique impact event. More specifically, in Figure 4In the illustration, a distal or distal oblique collision event will occur to the reader's right, with the collision energy tending to push the vehicle occupant position 30 to the left, causing the occupant 50 to tend to displace in a relative rightward direction. With the deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion 110, the occupant 50 can be effectively held in the vehicle occupant position 30, and the relatively gradual dissipation of energy tends to displace the occupant 50 to the right or in a right lateral direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a second vehicle occupant position 40, similar in many respects to the vehicle occupant position 30, can be positioned immediately to the right of the vehicle occupant position 30. The inflatable airbag cushion 110 prevents the collision energy from displacing the occupant 50 into, onto, or beyond the adjacent vehicle occupant position 40. If the adjacent vehicle occupant position is also occupied, the inflatable airbag 110 can protect the occupants of the adjacent vehicle occupant position and the occupant 50 of the vehicle occupant position 30 from injury, which could otherwise result in injury due to collisions between occupants inside the vehicle.

[0033] In an embodiment of the invention having three or more vehicle occupant positions 30, 40, etc., each seat 32, 42, etc., arranged side-by-side may be equipped with a distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 on either side of each seat adjacent to another seat. Each distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 may be configured to deploy only when a particular vehicle occupant position 30, 40, etc. is occupied and only when the particular distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 is deployable between the respective occupied vehicle occupant positions 30, 40, etc., and in the event of a distal collision. In other words, in a right-side collision, for example, only the distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 located on the right side of the occupied vehicle occupant position 30, 40, etc., may deploy, while the distal inflatable airbag assembly 100 located on the left side may remain undeployed.

[0034] Figure 5 It is in a pre-installed state. Figures 1 to 4 This is a plan view of the inflatable airbag cushion 110 of the inflatable airbag assembly 100. The inflatable airbag cushion 110 includes a first plate 150 and a second plate 152, with the first plate 150 covering the second plate 152 in this view. The first plate 150 and the second plate 152 are joined together at a peripheral coupling 154. The first plate 150 includes at least a first side of the main cushion 120 and the pillow cushion 130. The second plate 152 includes at least a second side of the main cushion 120 and the pillow cushion 130. In one embodiment, the first plate 150 may further include a sail 140. In one embodiment, the second plate 152 may further include a sail 140.

[0035] In this embodiment, peripheral connector 154 surrounds and connects a portion of the inflatable airbag cushion 110, thereby defining the periphery of the main cushion 120 and the pillow cushion 130, and defining the gaps in the main cushion 120 and the pillow cushion 130 for receiving inflation gas. The first plate 150 and the second plate 152 are also connected together at the first connector 122 and the second connector 132. The first connector 122 and the second connector 132 reduce the total volume of inflation gas required to inflate the inflatable airbag cushion 110. The first connector 122 and the second connector 132 can provide structural support to the main cushion 120 and the pillow cushion 130 in the deployed state.

[0036] The inflatable airbag cushion 110 includes a first flap 142 and a second flap 144. During assembly of the inflatable airbag cushion 110, the first flap 142 and the second flap 144 are joined together. Joining the first flap 142 and the second flap 144 together configures the inflatable airbag cushion 110 to form a generally triangular or donut-shaped shape when deployed during a collision event. A second connector 132 helps to orient the cushion 130 toward the occupant (see...). Figures 2A to 4 The occupant 50 is positioned laterally and forms a first vertex 172. The connection of the first tab 142 and the second tab 144 forms a second vertex 174. The connection of the first tab 142 and the second tab 144 is shown by a pair of dashed lines drawn between the first tab 142 and the second tab 144. A portion of the peripheral connector 154 allows the inflatable airbag cushion 110 to form a third vertex 176.

[0037] The peripheral connector 154 does not include a portion of the first plate 150 and the second plate 152 to form the inflation hose 112. The inflation hose 112 can be connected to an inflator (see...). Figure 2A (Inflator 104 in the middle). The connection of peripheral connector 154, first connector 122, second connector 132 and the connection of first tab 142 and second tab 144 can be achieved by one or more of sewing, radio frequency welding, adhesive or any other suitable means.

[0038] The inflatable airbag cushion 110 also includes a tethering member 160. The tethering member 160 has a first end 162a and a second end 166a. During assembly of the inflatable airbag cushion 110, the first end 162a of the tethering member 160 may be engaged 164 near or at the second coupling 132 of the inflatable airbag cushion 110. The first end 162a is shown engaged at the second coupling 132 for reference. The second end 166a of the tethering member 160 may be engaged at a portion 168 of the peripheral coupling 154. For reference, the second end 166a is shown engaged at a portion 168 of the peripheral coupling 154. The tethering member 160 can help set up, for example... Figures 2A to 4 The inflatable safety airbag cushion 110 is described above.

[0039] Figure 6 It is in the unfolded state and accommodates the occupants 50 seated in the occupant position 30 of the vehicle. Figures 1 to 5 A front view of the inflatable airbag cushion 110 of the distal inflatable airbag assembly 100. The inflatable airbag cushion 110 is shown as substantially inflated. The main cushion 120, headrest cushion 130, and sail 140 are shown, as are the first and second couplings 122 and 132. The seat back 36 of the vehicle occupant position 30 is also shown for reference. Occupant 50 is shown seated in the vehicle occupant position 30. The sail 140 has engaged or received the distal shoulder 55 of occupant 50.

[0040] For ease of reference, the vehicle's logical centerline 45 is shown as a vertical plane aligned with the vehicle's front and rear axles. The inflatable airbag cushion 110 unfolds in a direction 49 transverse to the vehicle's logical centerline 45. A general triangular shape 170 formed by the unfolded inflatable airbag cushion 110 is shown, along with its first vertex 172, second vertex 174, and third vertex 176. The illustrated triangular shape 170 is generalized and not intended to depict the precise form of the inflatable airbag cushion 110. For example, in some embodiments, vertices 172, 174, and 176 may be more specific than... Figure 6 In some embodiments, the inflatable airbag cushion 110 shown is more rounded; therefore, the shape can be approximately donut-shaped 178. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the specific orientation of the approximately triangular shape 170 and the arrangement of its vertices 172, 174, 176 can vary.

[0041] Throughout this specification, the phrase "connected to" refers to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interactions. Two components may be connected to each other even if they are not in direct contact.

[0042] The terms "an" and "a" can be used to describe an entity, but are not limited to an entity. For example, while this disclosure may describe a flap having "one row of sutures," this disclosure also contemplates that a flap may have two or more rows of sutures.

[0043] Unless otherwise specified, all ranges include all numbers between the endpoints.

[0044] "Vehicle occupant position" refers to the position of an occupant when normally seated in a vehicle, or the position typically expected to be in during vehicle operation. The term "occupant" refers to a person inside the vehicle or a crash test mannequin.

[0045] Throughout this specification, references to "implementation" or "this implementation" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with this implementation is included in at least one implementation. Therefore, as described throughout this specification, the cited phrase or variations thereof do not necessarily refer to the same implementation.

[0046] Similarly, it should be understood that in the foregoing description of the embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, drawing, or description therein for the purpose of simplifying this disclosure. However, this approach of the disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention that any claim requires more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as reflected in the appended claims, the inventive aspect lies in a combination of fewer than all features of any single embodiment of the foregoing disclosure. Therefore, the claims appended to this Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, wherein each claim is itself a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims and their dependent claims.

[0047] The use of the term "first" in the claims regarding a feature or element does not necessarily imply the presence of a second or additional such feature or element. Elements referenced in the means-plus-function format are intended to be used in accordance with 35 U.S.SC § This will be explained. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the details of the above embodiments without departing from the basic principles of the invention. Embodiments of the invention that claim proprietary attributes or privileges are defined as follows.

Claims

1. An inflatable airbag system (100), comprising: Inflator (104); and An inflatable airbag cushion (110) is configured to be mounted on a side portion of a seat (32) of a vehicle (10) and extend forward from the side portion of the seat (32) to be positioned adjacent to a vehicle occupant position (30) defined by the seat (32), and is characterized in that the inflatable airbag cushion (110) comprises: A main cushion (120) is connected to the inflator (104) and extends forward from the portion of the seat (32); A pillow (130) is attached at its upper portion to the upper portion of the main cushion (120), the pillow (130) being disposed on the occupant side of the main cushion (120) and positioned between the main cushion (120) and the vehicle occupant position (30); and A sailboard (140) is attached at a first end to the lower portion of the main pad (120) and at a second end to the lower portion of the pillow pad (130). The main cushion (120) and the pillow cushion (130) are connected together by a first plate (150) and a second plate (152) at a peripheral connector (154), such that the first plate (150) includes at least a first side of the main cushion (120) and the pillow cushion (130), and the second plate (152) includes at least a second side of the main cushion (120) and the pillow cushion (130); In the unfolded state, the main cushion (120), the pillow cushion (130) and the sailboard (140) form a roughly triangular (170) shape that extends over the shoulder (55) of the occupant (50). The first vertex (172) of the triangle is formed at the junction of the main cushion (120) and the headrest (130) and is oriented toward the roof (16); the second vertex (174) of the triangle is formed at the junction of the main cushion (120) and the sail (140) and is oriented downward; the third vertex (176) of the triangle is formed at the junction of the headrest (130) and the sail (140) and extends beyond the far shoulder (55) toward the occupant (50). The main cushion (120) and the pillow cushion (130) form the first vertex (172) at the second connector (132). The second connector (132) is connected between the first plate (150) and the second plate (152), and the inflatable airbag cushion (110) is configured to form the first vertex (172) so that the cushion (130) is arranged toward the third vertex (176).

2. The inflatable airbag system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the main cushion (120) and the pillow cushion (130) in the deployed state each define a gap for receiving inflatable gas, and the sail (140) remains uninflated.

3. The inflatable airbag system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side portion of the seat (32) is an inner portion, the inner portion being disposed toward the longitudinal centerline (45) of the vehicle (10) and spaced apart from the laterally adjacent seat (40) of the vehicle (10) to limit the inner lateral displacement of at least a portion of the occupant (50) of the vehicle occupant position (30) during a far-side collision event.

4. The inflatable airbag system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the void defined by the pillow (130) is in fluid communication with the void defined by the main cushion (120) to receive inflatable gas from the main cushion (120).

5. The inflatable airbag system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the pillow (130) and the sail (140) in the deployed state are configured to extend laterally away from the main cushion (120) and across the shoulder portion (38) of the vehicle occupant position (30) to be positioned to cushion during a collision event and provide lateral support to the head (52) of the occupant (50) of the vehicle occupant position (30).

6. The inflatable airbag system (100) according to claim 1, wherein, In the deployed state, the sail (140) is configured to engage the shoulder (55) of the occupant (50) of the vehicle occupant position (30).

7. The inflatable airbag system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the main cushion (120), the pillow cushion (130) and the sail (140) support each other by means of the shapes they form (170, 178) to provide resistance to the deflection of the inflatable airbag cushion (110).

8. The inflatable airbag system (100) according to claim 1, wherein, In the unfolded state, the pillow (130) receives structural support from the main cushion (120).

9. The inflatable airbag system (100) according to claim 1, wherein, In the deployed state, the sail (140) is positioned adjacent to the vehicle occupant position (30) to limit the lateral displacement of the shoulder (55) of the occupant (50) of the vehicle occupant position (30).

10. The inflatable airbag system (100) according to claim 1, wherein, In the unfolded state, the pillow (130) is configured to restrict the lateral displacement of the head (52) of the occupant (50) of the vehicle occupant position (30).

11. The inflatable airbag system (100) according to claim 1, wherein, In the unfolded state, the cushion (130) includes a plate (131) disposed toward the vehicle occupant position (30), the plate (131) having a curved profile (131p) configured to restrict the forward movement of the head (52) of the occupant (50) of the vehicle occupant position (30).

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