Vehicle seating assembly with airbag carrier

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10814818-B2
Application number	US-201715792854-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 25, 2017
Priority date	Oct 25, 2017
Publication date	Oct 27, 2020
Grant date	Oct 27, 2020

Abstract

A method for operating an airbag carrier is provided herein. The method includes the steps of moving carrier containing an airbag along a guide-channel of a seating assembly from a stowed position to a use position, and deploying the airbag into an occupant space of the seating assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of operating an airbag carrier comprising the steps of:
moving a carrier containing an airbag along a guide-channel of a seating assembly from a stowed position to a use position; and
deploying the airbag in the seating assembly rearward direction into an occupant space of the seating assembly.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
locking the carrier in the use position via a locking feature coupled to at least one of the carrier and the guide-channel.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the locking feature comprises an electric motor.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
exposing an electrical energy distribution point disposed on the carrier.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of moving the carrier containing the airbag further comprises the step of:
moving the carrier with a propulsion feature.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the propulsion feature comprises an electric motor.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the propulsion feature comprises a pyrotechnic mechanism.

8. A method of operating an airbag carrier comprising the steps of:
moving a carrier that contains an airbag and is coupled to a seating assembly from a stowed position to a use position along a guide-channel coupled to the seating assembly;
opening a release portion of the carrier to form a gap;
deploying the airbag through the gap in the seating assembly rearward direction; and
bracing the deployed airbag with a reactive surface defined by the opened release portion.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the release portion comprises a panel pivotally coupled to the carrier.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
pivoting the panel to an open position.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Dry Alan George
• Line Johnathan Andrew
• Spahn Brian Robert
• Yilma Benjamin
• Berry S M Akbar

Classifications

• B60R21/217

  Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together · CPC title

• B60N2/14

  rotatable, e.g. to permit easy access (B60N2/10 {, B60N2/2869} take precedence) · CPC title

• B60R21/207 Primary

  in vehicle seats · CPC title

• B60N2/79

  Adaptations for additional use of the arm-rests · CPC title

• B60R2021/2173

  the module or part thereof being movably mounted on the vehicle · CPC title