Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Kurt L Ewing

Joseph Edward Abramczyk

James Zheng Peng

Brian Robert Spahn

Thiag Subbian

John Pinkerton

BeiBei Xu

Robert J Mezzadri

Lanese Frusti, Legal Representative

A side airbag system () for a vehicle is provided. The side airbag system () includes a seatback frame () having a front side (), a rear side (), and an outboard side (). The outboard side () of the seatback frame () has an airbag module () coupled thereto and extending substantially outboard from the seatback frame (). The airbag module () is positioned for deploying an airbag () substantially forward. The rear side () of the seatback frame () has a rear cover panel () attached thereon. This rear cover panel () is a one-piece element for covering the airbag module () and both the rear side () and the outboard side () of the seatback frame (). The system () also includes foam cushion padding (), which is deformed by the airbag () upon its deployment.

Side airbag system

A seating system for an automotive vehicle includes a side airbag mounted to an outboard portion of a seatback, with the side airbag having an occupant reaction surface which is combined with deployable upper and lower reaction members attached to the airbag to define an augmented occupant reaction surface available upon inflation of the airbag.

Vehicle seating system with airbag-based occupant reaction surface

An automotive overhead airbag assembly is provided including an airbag mounted on an inside surface of a vehicle roof at an airbag mount position. The airbag has an airbag stored condition and an airbag deployed position and expands downwards from said vehicle roof when in the airbag deployed position. The assembly includes at least one wing element having a first wing mounting edge mounted to the vehicle roof and a second wing mounting edge mounted to a lower deployed portion of said airbag. The first wing mounting edge extends in a transverse direction from the airbag mount position. The at least one wing element includes a wing stored condition and a wing deployed position. The at least one wing element restricts forward motion of the airbag when the airbag is in the deployed position. The assembly includes a trampoline surface formed by the at least one wing element when the at least one wing element is in said wing deployed position. The trampoline surface absorbs passenger forward momentum during vehicle impact.

Overhead automotive airbag design

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Plymouth, MI, United States of America

Kurt L Ewing