The present technology relates generally to vehicle safety systems, and more specifically, to airbag assemblies for leg flail protection in aircraft and other vehicles and associated systems and methods.
Various types of seat belt and airbag systems have been used to protect passengers in automobiles, aircraft, and other vehicles. In automobiles, for example, airbags typically deploy from the steering column, dashboard, side panel, and/or other fixed locations. In a typical airbag system, a sensor detects a rapid deceleration event (e.g., a collision or crash), and transmits a corresponding signal to an initiation device (e.g., a pyrotechnic device) on an airbag inflator. This causes the inflator to release compressed gas into the airbag, thereby rapidly inflating and deploying the airbag.
Although airbags that deploy from stationary locations (e.g., a steering column) may be effective in automobiles, they may not be as effective in other types of vehicles (e.g., aircraft) having other seating arrangements. As a result, airbags have been developed that deploy from seat belts to accommodate occupants in aircraft and other vehicles.
Certain types of passenger aircraft (e.g., private, commercial, or military jets), for example, can be configured with side-facing seats, divans, or rows of seating. A recent policy statement governing safety requirements for side-facing seats from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) includes a requirement that “[a]xial rotation of the upper-leg (femur) must be limited to 35 degrees in either direction from the nominal seated position.” See FAA policy statement PS-ANM-25-03, Technical Criteria for Approving Side-Facing Seats, dated Jun. 8, 2012. Certain manual devices requiring actuation by a seat occupant or flight attendant prior to take-off have been developed to prevent rotation of the leg (“leg flail”) in this context. However, manual devices require user actuation and may not always be activated for use, especially during situations without flight attendant oversight. Further, these devices may not be able to prevent leg flail for a full range of occupant sizes that may occupy a seat. Additionally, FAA regulations require that such devices automatically retract post-crash, requiring the retraction mechanism be resistant to crash damage. Some embodiments of airbag systems described herein can address these requirements.
The present technology describes various embodiments of airbag assemblies and associated systems and methods for providing leg flail protection in aircraft and other vehicles. In several embodiments, for example, an airbag system in a private jet or other aircraft can include a housing or module positioned or installed forward of and at (or below) a seat portion of a side-facing seat, divan, or row of side-facing seats, and/or in front of a leading leg of a side-facing seated occupant. An airbag can be deployed in response to a signal from a crash sensor, eliminating the need for occupant or flight attendant actuation prior to take-off. In some embodiments, the airbag is designed to deflate and/or retract (e.g., automatically) within seconds after deployment in order to not impede passenger egress off the aircraft after the crash or other significant dynamic event. The airbag is positioned to avoid injuring the occupant during deployment. Additionally, the airbag can be sized to prevent leg flail for a full size range of occupants that may be seated in the aircraft. Further, in some embodiments, the airbag can be concealed within the seat or a surrounding or adjacent structure (e.g., a monument) to improve the cosmetics and aesthetics of the aircraft cabin. During deployment, the airbag can use a front and/or side portion of the seat and/or adjacent structure as a reaction surface. After deployment, the airbag can be deflated and retracted back toward the housing to facilitate occupant egress.
Certain details are set forth in the following description and in
Many of the details, dimensions, angles and other features shown in
In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical or at least generally similar elements. To facilitate the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits of any reference number refers to the Figure in which that element is first introduced. For example, element 110 is first introduced and discussed with reference to
In one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the side-facing seat 102 can be generally similar to conventional side-facing seats or divans in, for example, a business aircraft or jet. Accordingly, each of the seats 102A and 102B can include a back portion 104 extending upwardly from a seat portion 106 (e.g., a cushion) fixedly mounted to the floor of the aircraft. The seats 102 can include an occupant restraint or seat belt 110 (e.g., a two-point restraint, three-point restraint, etc.) configured to prevent harmful movement of a seat occupant 101 during a crash or other significant dynamic event. The seat belt 110 can include a shoulder belt portion 111A and a lap belt portion 111B for restraining the occupant 101. In certain embodiments, the seat belt 110 (e.g., the shoulder belt portion, lap belt portion, etc.) can include an airbag unit or system as described in greater detail below. For example, suitable seat belt airbag systems and features are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,350, titled VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEM, U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,600, titled SELF-CENTERING AIRBAG AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AND TUNING THE SAME, U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,854, titled VEHICLE RESTRAINT SYSTEM, U.S. Pat. No. 7,665,761, titled INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,828, titled INFLATABLE LAP BELT SAFETY BAG, U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,590, titled INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS HAVING WEB-MOUNTED INFLATORS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE, U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,397, titled STITCH PATTERNS FOR RESTRAINT-MOUNTED AIRBAGS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS, U.S. Pat. No. 8,439,398, titled INFLATOR CONNECTORS FOR INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINTS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS, U.S. Pat. No. 8,556,293, titled BUCKLE CONNECTORS FOR INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINTS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE, U.S. Pat. No. 8,403,361, titled ACTIVATION SYSTEMS FOR INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2012/0259484, titled ACTIVATION SYSTEMS FOR INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, U.S. Pat. No. 8,818,759, titled COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR REMOTE TESTING OF INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/468,170, titled COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR REMOTE TESTING OF INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2013/0187646, titled ELECTRONIC MODULE ASSEMBLY FOR INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2012/0259484, titled INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/139,684, titled EXTENDING PASS-THROUGH AIRBAG OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS. All of the foregoing patent references are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
In one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the airbag system 100 includes a housing 120 (e.g., an enclosure or case) fixedly attached directly or indirectly to the floor of the aircraft or other substantially fixed structure (e.g., a seat base, armrest, storage compartment, monument, etc.) forward of a seated occupant's legs and generally below or adjacent the seat portion 106. As used herein, the term “forward of” refers to a position or location relative to the longitudinal axis 103. Therefore, “forward of” a particular location or object refers to a position closer to the front, nose, cockpit, and/or forward direction of flight of the aircraft than the particular location or object. Accordingly, as illustrated in
The housing 120 can be a separate or independent structural assembly positioned on the floor and at least partially concealed within a substantially fixed structure or monument within the aircraft interior. Concealing the housing 120 in this manner can inhibit passengers from accessing the airbag and/or associated components within the housing 120 and reduce or prevent the likelihood of inadvertent airbag deployment. In certain embodiments, the housing 120 can function as a partial divider between individual aircraft seats of a side-facing seat (e.g., between the first side-facing seat 102A and second side-facing seat 102B), an armrest, and/or a table for seat occupants. In some embodiments, an interior of the housing 120 can also be used as storage for other items such as the seat occupant's belongings, additional safety equipment (e.g., life vests), etc. In other embodiments, the housing 120 can be attached to or integrally formed with a fixed structure or monument within the aircraft interior. The housing 120 can be made from durable materials, such as composites, alloys (e.g., aluminum), and/or other suitable materials (e.g., steel) for storing the components of the airbag system 100, reducing the likelihood of inadvertent airbag deployment (e.g., due to passenger wear and tear on the housing 120), and/or reducing weight and size of the housing 120. In other embodiments, a separate housing 120 can be omitted. In such embodiments, a portion of the seat 102 (e.g., front, bottom, etc.) or other interior structure or monument can include an opening (e.g., cavity, recess, etc.) that an airbag (not shown) can be stored in, secured to, and/or deploy from. Any of the fasteners, lanyards, doors, tethers, hoses, fabric tubes, apertures, and other components described in more detail below with respect to the housing 120 can be used with or to secure or tether the airbag (not shown) to a portion of the seat 102 (e.g., front, bottom, etc.) or other interior structure or monument in place of the housing 120.
In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 120 is positioned within the seat 102 and includes a door 134 (e.g., cover) as described in more detail below that can be substantially aligned (e.g., flush or coplanar) with a front end portion of the seat 102. In other embodiments, the housing 120 can be positioned such that the door 134 is positioned substantially behind or in front of the front end portion of the seat 102. The housing 120 can include a plurality of assembled plates (not shown in
Although the door 134 is shown in an open position for sake of illustration in
In various embodiments, one or more lanyards 131 (e.g., made from seat belt webbing, airbag, and/or other suitable materials) can also secure or retain the door 134 to the housing 120. For example, the lanyards 131 can retain the door 134 to the housing 120 when the airbag deploys and release the frangible fasteners to prevent the door 134 from flying through the aircraft cabin. In other embodiments, hinges and/or other suitable coupling mechanisms (in addition to or in lieu of the lanyard(s) 131) can be used to secure the door 134 to the housing 120 during and after airbag deployment.
In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis 103 extends between the front and rear end of the aircraft, and a transverse axis 105 extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 103 between opposite sides of the aircraft (e.g., between opposing wings). In the nominal seated position, the legs 135 (e.g. upper legs) of the seated occupant 101 extend generally parallel to the transverse axis 105. As described in greater detail below, the airbag stored in the housing 120 can be deploy outward through the opening 126 substantially along the transverse axis 105 in response to a rapid deceleration, crash, or other significant dynamic event (e.g., during a 16G impact event). The airbag deploys toward a side of the aircraft opposite the side the seat 102 is positioned on (e.g., toward the aisle or middle portion of the aircraft).
When deployed, the airbag is expected to prevent (e.g., inhibit) leg flail greater than or equal to about 35 degrees relative to the nominal seated position of the occupant 101 (e.g., the transverse axis 105). In other embodiments, leg flail greater than or equal to about 30 degrees, or greater than or equal to about 25 degrees, or greater than or equal to about 20 degrees, or greater than or equal to about 15 degrees, or greater than or equal to about 10 degrees, or greater than or equal to about 5 degrees and/or any value therebetween relative to the nominal seated position of the occupant 101 is expected to be prevented by the deployed airbag.
Each of the plurality of plates 207 can include mounting apertures or openings 227 (e.g., counterbores or chamfered countersinks) configured to receive suitable fasteners (e.g., screws, nuts, bolts, pins, etc.) for securing the plates 207 together and other components of an airbag assembly 228 (e.g., the airbag 254, a gas delivery hose 240, tethers 215, etc.) to the housing 120 as described in more detail below. The use of counterbores or countersinks can provide substantially flush mountings. Lock-tight fasteners can be used to prevent unintentional disengagement or back-out of the fasteners due to vibrations from aircraft operation. Additionally, the mounting openings 227 can receive suitable fasteners to secure the housing 120 to the floor, seat, or other substantially fixed interior structure or monument. In other embodiments, the plates 207 can be integrally formed (e.g., monolithically formed, welded, or co-molded together). For example, the rear plate 212 can be integrally formed with one or more of the other plates 207. This can reduce the size or footprint of the housing 120 and the number of fasteners relative to separately formed and secured plates.
In one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the airbag 254 can be secured to the housing 120, seat via one or more first tethers 215A or other suitable attachment features. A first end portion of the tether 215A can include one or more tabs 219 sewn or otherwise secured to a rear portion of the airbag 254. A second end portion of the tether 215A can have mounting apertures or openings 521 (
In other embodiments, the tether 215A can be secured to other portions of the housing 120. For example, the upper and lower plates 209, 211 can include tab or projection portions 223A, 223B (e.g., flanges). The projection portions 223A, 223B extend from front end portions of the upper and lower plates 209, 211, respectively. The projection portions 223A, 223B can provide additional securement positions (e.g., one or more apertures) for the tether(s) 215A. The projection portions 223A, 223B can also act as spacer features such that the airbag 254 does not rub against or contact the seat 102 or another substantially fixed structure to which the housing 120 is mounted during deployment. In other embodiments, the door 134 (e.g., the lanyards 131, fasteners, etc.) can be secured to one of the projection portions 223A, 223B of the housing 120.
In one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the airbag system 100 can further include an airbag inflator 230 (shown schematically) in fluid communication with the airbag 254, and an electronics module assembly 232 (shown schematically) operably coupled to the inflator 230. The electronics module assembly 232 can be operably coupled to one or more inflators 230 to control inflation of one or more airbags 254. The inflator 230 can include a container of compressed gas (e.g., air, helium and argon mixture) and a pyrotechnic device (e.g., a squib connector) that can be activated by a signal sent by the electronics module assembly 232 in response to a crash or other significant dynamic event. The signal initiates the squib, which causes the container to release the expanding gas into the airbag 254. In other embodiments, the inflator 230 can include other suitable initiation and/or inflation devices (e.g., gas-generating inflators) known in the art.
The inflator 230 can be positioned within the airbag 254. In other embodiments, the inflator 230 can be spaced apart from the airbag 254 (e.g., remotely located away from the airbag 254 and/or housing 120) and fluidly coupled thereto using the gas delivery hose 240 or other suitable fluid passageway or conduit. A remotely positioned inflator 230, for example, can be mounted in any suitable orientation and secured to a portion of the aircraft (e.g., under the housing 120, under the floor of the aircraft proximate the housing 120, etc.) using brackets and/or other suitable mounting structures that can withstand loads encountered during normal aircraft operation, gas deployment from the inflator 230, a crash, and/or certain impact loads (e.g., loads applied under a 16g dynamic test). The gas delivery hose 240 can be made from a suitable flexible material that can accommodate the remote positioning of the inflator 230 relative to the airbag 254 and yet be durable enough to withstand regular wear and tear (e.g., the delivery of the expanding gas to the airbag 254). The modular positioning of the inflator 230 with respect to the airbag 254 provided by the gas delivery hose 240 allows the airbag system 100 to accommodate the space constraints of the housing 120 and the aircraft cabin. In other embodiments, the gas delivery hose 240 can be omitted, and the outlet of the inflator 230 can be positioned in direct fluid communication with the airbag 254.
The gas delivery hose 240 can include a first end portion 241A in fluid communication with the interior of the airbag 254 and a second end portion 241B including a connector (e.g., an inflator connector as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,439,398, entitled “INFLATOR CONNECTORS FOR INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINTS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS”, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference) threadably or otherwise engaged with an outlet of the inflator 230. The gas delivery hose 240 can be suitably sized for rapid gas delivery to the airbag 254 depending at least in part on the distance between the inflator 230 and the airbag 254.
The gas delivery hose 240 can include a fitting or fabric tube 242. The fabric tube 242 includes a first portion extending into and secured (e.g., sewn) to the airbag 254 (
The housing 120 can include an opening or aperture 245 (e.g., an access port) in one of the plates 207 (e.g., the lower plate 211). The aperture 245 is sized to receive a tool (e.g., in the direction as indicated by arrow A) to induce at least one bend (e.g., coil or fold) in the hose 240 during assembly of the airbag system 100. Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the electronics module assembly 232 includes a processor 244 configured to receive electrical power from a power source 246 (e.g., one or more lithium batteries), a deployment circuit 252 configured to initiate the inflator 230, and at least one crash sensor 248 configured to detect rapid decelerations and/or other crash events. The crash sensor 248, for example, can include a spring-mass-damper type sensor with an inertial switch calibrated for the vehicle's operating environments that initiates airbag deployment upon a predetermined deceleration level. In other embodiments, the crash sensor 248 can include other suitable types of sensors known in the art, for example, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/170,079, titled SENSORS FOR DETECTING RAPID DECELERATION/ACCELERATION EVENTS, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Optionally, the electronics module assembly 232 can also include one or more magnetic field sensors 250 configured to detect the presence of an external magnetic field (e.g., from a speaker) and communicate with the processor 244 to deactivate the crash sensor 248 and prevent inadvertent deployment of the airbag 254. The magnetic field sensor 250 can include, for example, the circuitry disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,535,115, titled AIRBAG HAVING EXCESSIVE EXTERNAL MAGNETIC FIELD PROTECTION CIRCUITRY, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Similar to the inflator 230, the electronics module assembly 232 can also be positioned in various locations. For example, the electronics module assembly 232 can be housed within the cavity 124 or in a remote location proximate the housing 120 and coupled to the inflator 230 via suitable electrical connectors. The electronics module assembly 232, for example, can be positioned on the underside of the housing 120, under a seat, or elsewhere in the aircraft. When mounted remotely, the electronics module assembly 232 can be positioned to properly transmit the crash pulse and reduce vibration effects.
In other embodiments, the electronics module assembly 232 can include other types of sensors and/or additional features to aid in airbag deployment and/or retraction. For example, the airbag system 100 can include an active retraction feature. In such embodiments, the electronics module assembly 232 can include and/or be electronically coupled to a tensioner retraction unit 233 programmed to initiate, trigger, activate or fire on a time delay (e.g., pre-programmed) after a period of time after the airbag 254 is deployed (and/or a crash or other significant dynamic event is detected). In certain embodiments, the period of time can be about 10 minutes, or about 1 minute, or about 100 seconds, or about 10 seconds, or about 1 second, or about 100 milliseconds, or about 10 milliseconds, or about 1 millisecond, and/or any value therebetween. The tensioner retraction unit 233 can be activated (e.g., to release a vent and/or pull a tether or hose) to deflate and/or retract the airbag 254 in order to provide or enable egress for occupants as described in greater detail below (
In some embodiments, the components of the electronics module assembly 232 can be housed in a protective cover (e.g., a machined or injection-molded plastic box) that reduces the likelihood of damage to the electronics module assembly 232 therein and a magnetic shield configured to prevent the electronics module assembly 232 from inadvertently deploying the airbag 254. In other embodiments, the electronics module assembly 232 can be stored in a housing as disclosed in U.S. Patent App. Publication No. 2013/0187646, entitled ELECTRONIC MODULE ASSEMBLY FOR INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and/or other suitable electronics housings known in the art. In further embodiments, the electronics module assembly 232 can include diagnostic testing features, such as those described in U.S. Patent App. Publication No. 2012/0259484, entitled INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS and U.S. Pat. No. 8,818,759, entitled COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR REMOTE TESTING OF INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, which are both incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Referring to
In certain embodiments, because the airbag 254 is pushed forward outside the housing 120 or other opening before fully inflating, the airbag 254 can be set back or rearward of the front of the housing 120 (e.g., door, opening, etc.). The airbag 254 does not need to be positioned flush or substantially flush against the door or front portion of the housing 120 or other opening. For example, the airbag 254 can be positioned a distance up to about 6 inches, 12 inches, 18 inches, 24 inches, 30 inches, and/or any value therebetween rearward or in back of the front of the housing 120. The bend in the hose 240 and/or fabric tube 242 can be sized such that when it is inflated and straightens out, the airbag 254 is pushed this distance out of the housing 120 or other opening before the airbag 254 is fully inflated. Therefore, it is expected that the hose 240 completely inflates prior to the airbag 254 fully or completely inflating as the hose 240 pushes the airbag 254 forward before it fully inflates. In some embodiments, setting the airbag 254 rearward of the front of the housing 120 is also expected to allow the opening the airbag 254 deploys from to be reduced or decreased relative to airbags that are positioned flush or substantially flush against the front of the housing 120. For example, in some embodiments, such airbags can be folded more to reduce size of the stowed airbag 254. In some instances, airbags positioned flush or substantially flush with the front of the housing 120 may be required to inflate substantially to exit the opening or push a door away from the opening. Such airbags may have to be folded less, increasing their size and opening they deploy from along with the size and weight of the housing they are configured to deploy from.
In one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the airbag 254 is rolled (e.g., folded) and stowed in the housing 120 in a specific manner such that the side closest to the seated occupant unfurls or unfold first as the airbag 254 is inflated. For example, as illustrated in
As described above, the door 134 or cover (if provided with one) can move away from the opening 126 (e.g., due to the force applied by the deploying airbag 254), allowing the airbag 254 to expand outward, forward of the occupant's legs in the corresponding seat 102. The lanyards 131 can retain the door 134 to the housing 120 such that it does not interfere with the occupant egress. In other embodiments, the door 134 can be actively moved away prior to airbag deployment.
In other embodiments, the airbag 254 can include one or more second vents 317B (only one is shown) that help the airbag 254 deflate rapidly (e.g., within seconds) after inflation. For example, the vent 317B can be positioned on a rear portion of the airbag 254. As the airbag 254 deploys and inflates, the second vent 317B (e.g., seam) is sealed against a structure in the interior of the aircraft (e.g., seat, armrest, or other fixed monument) but as the pressure drops (e.g., below a certain threshold) after deployment or during retraction (e.g., from gas released through the first vent 317A), the vent 317B becomes unsealed and additional gas is released from the vent 317B to deflate the airbag 254 more rapidly. An occupant or other person can further apply force against the airbag 254 to increase the release of gas through the vents 317A and/or 317B. The vents 317A and/or 317B can be combined with one or more tethers to provide a first or passive retraction feature as described in more detail below.
The tensioner retraction unit 233 can be electronically coupled to one or more of the airbag tethers and/or vents described herein to retract and/or deflate the airbag 254. For example, the tensioner retraction unit 233 can be operably coupled or attached to one of the tethers (e.g., tethers 215A, 515B and/or 515C) for retracting and/or deflating the airbag 254 after a crash or deceleration event to enable occupant egress. Activation or initiation of the tensioner retraction unit 233 can be controlled by the electronics module assembly 232. For example, in some embodiments, a delayed timing signal can be programmed (e.g., hard-coded) into the memory (e.g., read-only memory) of the processor 244 of the electronics module assembly 232. A signal can be sent to an actuator (e.g., via a controller) for initiating or triggering the tensioner retraction unit 233 after a sensor (e.g., the crash sensor 248 or other sensor) detects a crash or other rapid deceleration event to retract and/or deflate the airbag 254 (e.g., by retracting the one or more tethers). Therefore, in certain embodiments, the tensioner retraction unit 233 can be referred to as a “post-tensioner retraction unit.” This provides the airbag system 100 with an active retraction feature that can be used alone or in combination with the passive retraction features discussed above for occupant egress. In other embodiments, the post-tensioner retraction unit 233 can be operably coupled to one or more vents on the airbag 254. For example, the tensioner retraction unit 233 can be activated to release a vent as disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/146,268, titled ACTIVE AIRBAG VENT SYSTEM, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In further embodiments, the airbag 254 can have other suitable cross-sectional shapes or configurations (e.g., a C-shaped cross-sectional shape;
The seat belt airbag system 800B can include an airbag 854B configured to deploy from a seat belt 810 (e.g., a shoulder belt portion, lap belt portion, etc.). Example seat belt airbag systems and features are disclosed in at least the references incorporated herein. The airbag 854B can be operably coupled to an air hose 840B, inflator 830B, and the electronics assembly 832. The inflator 830B includes a first end portion connected to the air hose 840B and a second end portion connected to the electronics module assembly 832 via one or more cables 863B (e.g., a line-replaceable unit, interface, etc.). During the crash or other rapid deceleration event, the electronics module assembly 832 can send a signal to initiate the inflator 830B in addition to sending the signal to initiate the inflator 830A. The inflator 830B can release gas into the air hose 840B to inflate and deploy the airbag 854B to reduce body flail of an occupant.
In operation, upon detection (e.g., by a crash sensor) of a crash or other rapid deceleration event, the airbag 954 inflates and deploys (e.g., unfolds) through an opening 926 in the housing 820 in a direction generally outward and forward of the leading leg 935 of the seat occupant 901. As described above with respect to
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the invention. Further, while various advantages associated with certain embodiments of the invention have been described above in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims.
While the above description describes various embodiments of the invention and the best mode contemplated, regardless how detailed the above text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its specific implementation, while still being encompassed by the present disclosure. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.
The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various examples described above can be combined to provide further implementations of the invention. Some alternative implementations of the invention may include not only additional elements to those implementations noted above, but also may include fewer elements. Further any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges.
References throughout the foregoing description to features, advantages, or similar language do not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present technology should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the present technology may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the present technology can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the present technology.
Any patents and applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further implementations of the invention.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.
Although certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the applicant contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to pursue additional claims after filing this application to pursue such additional claim forms, in either this application or in a continuing application.
The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/041,549, filed Aug. 25, 2014 and titled AIRBAG ASSEMBLY FOR LEG FLAIL PROTECTION AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHOD, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62041549 | Aug 2014 | US |