Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Beatriz Esthela Padilla

Stuart C Salter

Johnathan Andrew Line

Marcos Silva Kondrad

Cornel Lewis Gardner

Benjamin Yilma

Jeffrey Singer

Anna Miller Hill

Lisa Koth

A vehicle proximity switch and method are provided having lockout control for controlling a movable panel on a vehicle. The switch includes a proximity sensor such, as a capacitive sensor, installed in a vehicle and providing a sense activation field. The proximity switch also includes control circuitry for processing the sense activation field to sense user activation of the switch and controls functionality when one or more lockout sensors are activated.

Proximity switch having lockout control for controlling movable panel

A vehicle seat includes a seatback having a support structure with a rigid frame member that extends within a side of the support structure. A side airbag assembly includes an airbag coupled with the frame member. First and second trim pieces engaged along a seam to conceal the airbag. A flange protrudes along an edge of the first trim piece and a cavity extends along the second trim piece to matably engage the flange. A retention slot is disposed on a wall of the cavity and an attachment element protrudes adjacent to the flange to frictionally engaging the retention slot. The attachment element is configured to disengage from the retention slot upon deployment of the airbag forward through the seam.

Side airbag assembly for a vehicle seat

Growing community of inventors

Westland, MI, United States of America

Beatriz Esthela Padilla