GB2332884A - Vehicle seat with inflatable anti-submarining device - Google Patents
Vehicle seat with inflatable anti-submarining device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2332884A GB2332884A GB9800013A GB9800013A GB2332884A GB 2332884 A GB2332884 A GB 2332884A GB 9800013 A GB9800013 A GB 9800013A GB 9800013 A GB9800013 A GB 9800013A GB 2332884 A GB2332884 A GB 2332884A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- protection device
- inflatable
- disclosed
- inflatable protection
- pyrotechnic
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- B60R21/235—Inflatable members characterised by their material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/42—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats
- B60N2/4207—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats characterised by the direction of the g-forces
- B60N2/4214—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats characterised by the direction of the g-forces longitudinal
- B60N2/4221—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats characterised by the direction of the g-forces longitudinal due to impact coming from the front
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/42—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats
- B60N2/427—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash
- B60N2/42709—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure
- B60N2/42718—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure with anti-submarining systems
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/42—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats
- B60N2/427—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash
- B60N2/42772—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash characterised by the triggering system
- B60N2/4279—Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash characterised by the triggering system electric or electronic triggering
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
- B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
- B60R21/207—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in vehicle seats
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R22/00—Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles
- B60R22/18—Anchoring devices
- B60R22/195—Anchoring devices with means to tension the belt in an emergency, e.g. means of the through-anchor or splitted reel type
- B60R22/1951—Anchoring devices with means to tension the belt in an emergency, e.g. means of the through-anchor or splitted reel type characterised by arrangements in vehicle or relative to seat belt
-
- 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
- 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
- B60R21/235—Inflatable members characterised by their material
- B60R2021/23504—Inflatable members characterised by their material characterised by material
- B60R2021/23509—Fabric
-
- 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
- B60R21/235—Inflatable members characterised by their material
- B60R2021/23504—Inflatable members characterised by their material characterised by material
- B60R2021/23509—Fabric
- B60R2021/23514—Fabric coated fabric
-
- 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
- B60R21/235—Inflatable members characterised by their material
- B60R2021/23571—Inflatable members characterised by their material characterised by connections between panels
- B60R2021/2359—Welding
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
Abstract
A vehicle seat includes an inflatable device 30 in the forward part of the squab 10 intended to automatically inflate in the event of an accident, raising the knees and restraining the pelvis of the seat occupant, in order to provide an anti-submarining effect. The device may be mounted under the foam or other padding 20 of the squab. Inflating gas may be derived from a dedicated pyrotechnic, stored gas or hybrid gas generator 50 or alternatively using the spent gases from a pyrotechnic seat belt pretensioner (figure 4). The inflatable device may provide a separate static support function using a hand operated inflating means. The inflatable device may be constructed of two or more layers of coated or uncoated fabric assembled using vulcanisation, sewing, unitary weaving or welding. The fabrics may have 100% synthetic yarn content, such as polyamide or polyester, and may be coated with such as neoprene, silicone or polyurethane.
Description
PATENT SPECIFICATION
Inflatable Seat mounted Device
for Protection of
Occupants of Transportation vehicles
Technical Field.
This invention relates to an inflatable seat mounted device for improved protection of occupants of transportation vehicles and specifically to a device which modifies the kinematics of an occupant in an impact.
Background
Protection of vehicle occupants from the forces and intrusions produced by impact situations is nowadays afforded by a wide range of means, including but not limited to; safety belts, energy absorbing surfaces, strong and lor deformable seating and fascia structures, and inflatable airbags placed in various locations.
In the case of seating, both for front and rear occupants of motor vehicles, means are normally provided to alter the occupant kinematics and reduce the submarining tendency, which is a phenomenon caused by the geometry of seat, seat belt or airbags.
This tendency is for the body and the pelvis in particular to rotate forward & force downward into the seat squab allowing the lap portion of the seatbelt to ride up and cause possible injury to soft tissue and organs above the pelvis. The phenomenon can also cause injury to the neck and head from the diagonal portion of a 3 point seatbelt if the person is of small stature.
Additionally, in certain road vehicles such as sports cars, the position of the occupant is such that they are in a laying down position with legs substantially straight.
Where effective restraint is required without a seatbelt - as in the current U.S legislation - a solid or inflatable knee beam is conventionally provided on or under the fascia to provide a restraining force at the pelvis. However in certain instances the occupant can ride under this and little or no lower body restraint is provided.
The current practised anti-submarining means in seats include strong metal bars across the seat squab, underneath the knee area or even a pressed steel pan running from a similar front profile back toward the buttock area. By virtue of these steel or hard structures the amount of padding and springing available by foam or other means, can be limited. This causes potential ride comfort problems in use of the seat. The above described current means of protection are indicated in Figure 1 and Figure 2. In Figure 110 is the seat squab and 20 the backrest. Within the squab a tube 30 is disposed across parallel supporting side structures. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, a pressed pan 60 is located between side structures and foam or other padding 50 is mounted above it and underneath the outer textile cover 40.
Essential Technical Features
According to the present invention there is provided an inflatable protection device which is constructed of two or more fabric layers which, after assembly in any of the conventional manners is mounted in the seat squab transversely across the front area underneath the outer cover and within, on or under the padding and above a suitable restraining and load bearing structure. The device is attached to an inflation means which in turn is linked to a sensing means.
The device may be constructed of uncoated fabrics or coated fabrics. It can be assembled by the conventional vulcanisation, sewing or unitary weaving, or joined together by a welded joint in the desired shape, the process being largely dependant on the choice of materials.
This invention therefore, is a product which enhances the occupant protection function ( especially anti-submarining performance ) of seats whilst also allowing more padding for comfort improvements. It can furthermore lower the total weight of a seat system by allowing reductions in the metal or hard structures.
A typical embodiment is shown in Fig 3 indicating, in side view a device mounted into a vehicle bucket seat. Referring to the drawing the seat squab is indicated as 10.
The device 30 is indicated in a generally inflated condition. It is located under the foam 20 which has conventional seat covering 40 over it. Inflating gas is provided by means of a pyrotechnic, stored gas or hybrid gas generator located under or beside the device as indicated in 50, with an attachment interface between the two.
An alternative means of inflation may be provided by combining the functions of a pyrotechnic buckle pretensioner and the device as described in this specification. In this case the buckle pretensioner has a gas generator which when fired propels a projectile along the length of a tube. A cable is attached to this projectile at one end and to the seatbelt buckle at the other. On firing, approximately 6-10 litres of gas at standard temperature and pressure is produced, dependant on the gas generator type and specification. By providing a connector tube between this and the inflatable protection device this gas, which would otherwise be wasted, is used for inflation of the device.
Figure 4 shows the concept with buckle pretensioner and inflatable protection device. In this 10 is the complete seat squab and 20 is the inflatable protection device.
The buckle pretensioner has a buckle 30 attached via a cable 40 to the projectile. The gas generator, 50 is mounted on the tube 60. This is a general representation of the concept which may practically differ in application. The end of the tube, which is provided with means to allow the spent gases to escape, is connected via a tube 70 to the inflatable protection device.
The inflatable protection device uses fabrics made of a 100% synthetic yarn content substrate or alternatively a similar base substrate, coated with a suitable material.
The fabric consists of normally synthetic yarns, for instance Polyamide 4.6, 6 or 6.6 or Polyester. Yarns in a range 105 to 470 decitex are used with fabric constructions ranging from 17 to 80 per centimetre in warp and weft. A person skilled in the art would readily calculate suitable constructions and weave pattems consistent with the technical requirements including where deemed necessary the application of coatings to create the gas sealing barrier and medium.
(RTm)
Where a coating is required a thermo set material such as Neoprene, Hypalorl(or Silicone is suitable. Furthermore thermoplastic material such as polyurethane are suitable for high frequency welding of the two or more fabrics. Moreover the coating will be selected to suit the output of modem gas generators - which in many cases have lower temperature gases - and also to retain it's performance characteristics over the potential range of operating temperatures and humidities.
In the case of a device using a coated material, the device may also have a static function. It is provided with a manual inflation device, located alongside the seat, which can be pumped by hand to put air into the device, which would otherwise be collapsed flat. This will then provide some additional support under the back of the legs and knees if required while driving.
The present described invention may be applied to all modes of transport where impact protection is required including road, rail and air.
Examples (specific).
One embodiment of the inflatable seat mounted protection device is a device made of 100% Polyamide ( Nylon ) fabric. The two fabric layers are sewn together. Fabric of 470 dTex Pa 6.6 f68 yarn with plain weave construction of 23+1- 1 warp yarns per centimetre and 21+1- weft yarns per centimetre and a permeability in accordance with
DIN 53887 of less than 10 litres per dm sq. per minute is used.
The device has an inflated volume of approximately 2 litres ( dependant on the gas pressure internally ) and is a classic pillow shape. Construction of the device by sewing leaves seam flaps lying outward and these are used to locate the device in the squab over the supporting structure. An interface flange is provided on the device surface to which the gas generator is fitted.
Another embodiment of the inflatable seat mounted protection device is a device made of Polyurethane coated, 100% Polyamide ( Nylon ) fabric. The fabric layers are welded together. Fabric of 235 dTex Pa 6.6 f34 yarn with plain weave construction of 29+/- 1 warp yams per centimetre and 30+1- 1 weft yarns per centimetre is used. A manual inflator bulb and tube is fitted into the device. A Pyrotechnic buckle pretensioner is also mounted in the seat and a tube runs between this and the inflatable seat mounted protection device. This embodiment of the device has an inflated volume of approximately 7 litres (dependant on the gas pressure internally ).
Claims (7)
- Claims 1. An inflatable protection device provided in the squab front portion of a vehicle seat and intended to provide an anti-submarining and trajectory modifying function in the case of dynamic impact.
- 2. An inflatable protection device as disclosed in claim 1 constructed of two or more layers of fabric provided with a thermoplastic coating and welded by means of high frequency to form a strength bearing and gas tight seam.
- 3. An inflatable protection device as disclosed in claim 1 and using fabric of 100% uncoated Polyamide ( Nylon ) sewn together.
- 4. An inflatable protection device as disclosed in claim 1 which is inflated by a pyrotechnic, stored gas or hybrid gas generator, mounted to the device as a self contained system
- 5. An inflatable protection device as disclosed in claim 1 which is inflated by means of the spent gases from a remotely located seat mounted pyrotechnic buckle pretensioner.
- 6. An inflatable protection device as disclosed in claim 2 and provided with a hand operated inflation means for pumping air into it and providing a static support function not associated with impact protection.
- 7. An inflatable protection device substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9800013A GB2332884A (en) | 1998-01-03 | 1998-01-03 | Vehicle seat with inflatable anti-submarining device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9800013A GB2332884A (en) | 1998-01-03 | 1998-01-03 | Vehicle seat with inflatable anti-submarining device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB9800013D0 GB9800013D0 (en) | 1998-03-04 |
GB2332884A true GB2332884A (en) | 1999-07-07 |
Family
ID=10824747
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB9800013A Withdrawn GB2332884A (en) | 1998-01-03 | 1998-01-03 | Vehicle seat with inflatable anti-submarining device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2332884A (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2357466A (en) * | 1999-12-21 | 2001-06-27 | Autoliv Dev | A vehicle seat with anti-submarining inflatable chamber |
EP1371518A1 (en) * | 2002-06-12 | 2003-12-17 | Takata Corporation | Occupant protecting device |
WO2004030980A1 (en) * | 2002-10-01 | 2004-04-15 | Dalphimetal Ltd. | Vehicle seat with a pelvis energy management device |
WO2005002912A1 (en) * | 2003-06-30 | 2005-01-13 | Dalphimetal Ltd. | Vehicle seat with a pelvis restraining device |
EP1566313A1 (en) * | 2004-02-19 | 2005-08-24 | Takata Corporation | Occupant protection system |
EP1568537A1 (en) * | 2004-02-27 | 2005-08-31 | Takata Corporation | Occupant protection device |
WO2007099984A1 (en) * | 2006-03-02 | 2007-09-07 | Takata Corporation | Occupant restraint system |
FR2907401A3 (en) * | 2006-10-23 | 2008-04-25 | Renault Sas | Seat for motor vehicle, has envelope deflated under effect of forces applied by pelvis for modifying path of pelvis such that pelvis is in contact with retaining portion of bump for stopping displacement of pelvis |
EP2347937A1 (en) * | 2010-01-25 | 2011-07-27 | Autoliv Development AB | Vehicle seat with a safety device |
EP3186112A4 (en) * | 2014-08-27 | 2018-05-30 | Autoliv ASP, Inc. | Safety restraint system with inflatable pelvis restraint device |
-
1998
- 1998-01-03 GB GB9800013A patent/GB2332884A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2001045978A1 (en) * | 1999-12-21 | 2001-06-28 | Autoliv Development Ab | A vehicle seat |
GB2357466B (en) * | 1999-12-21 | 2003-04-02 | Autoliv Dev | Improvements in or relating to a vehicle seat |
GB2357466A (en) * | 1999-12-21 | 2001-06-27 | Autoliv Dev | A vehicle seat with anti-submarining inflatable chamber |
US6752454B2 (en) | 1999-12-21 | 2004-06-22 | Autoliv Development Ab | Vehicle seat |
KR100802643B1 (en) | 1999-12-21 | 2008-02-13 | 오토리브 디벨로프먼트 에이비 | A vehicle seat |
CN100340431C (en) * | 2002-06-12 | 2007-10-03 | 高田株式会社 | Passenger protector |
EP1371518A1 (en) * | 2002-06-12 | 2003-12-17 | Takata Corporation | Occupant protecting device |
US6863298B2 (en) | 2002-06-12 | 2005-03-08 | Takata Corporation | Occupant protecting device |
WO2004030980A1 (en) * | 2002-10-01 | 2004-04-15 | Dalphimetal Ltd. | Vehicle seat with a pelvis energy management device |
WO2005002912A1 (en) * | 2003-06-30 | 2005-01-13 | Dalphimetal Ltd. | Vehicle seat with a pelvis restraining device |
EP1566313A1 (en) * | 2004-02-19 | 2005-08-24 | Takata Corporation | Occupant protection system |
EP1568537A1 (en) * | 2004-02-27 | 2005-08-31 | Takata Corporation | Occupant protection device |
US7481452B2 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2009-01-27 | Takata Corporation | Occupant protection device |
WO2007099984A1 (en) * | 2006-03-02 | 2007-09-07 | Takata Corporation | Occupant restraint system |
FR2907401A3 (en) * | 2006-10-23 | 2008-04-25 | Renault Sas | Seat for motor vehicle, has envelope deflated under effect of forces applied by pelvis for modifying path of pelvis such that pelvis is in contact with retaining portion of bump for stopping displacement of pelvis |
EP2347937A1 (en) * | 2010-01-25 | 2011-07-27 | Autoliv Development AB | Vehicle seat with a safety device |
EP3186112A4 (en) * | 2014-08-27 | 2018-05-30 | Autoliv ASP, Inc. | Safety restraint system with inflatable pelvis restraint device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB9800013D0 (en) | 1998-03-04 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |