Vehicle Seat, Motor Vehicle, and Airbag Module

Abstract

A technology is provided effective for aiming at improving workability of an assembling work for assembling an airbag module at a vehicle seat main body side, in a vehicle seat, on which an airbag module is mounted having a construction in which an airbag is developed and expanded from a downside to an upside of a seat cushion against movement of a vehicle occupant in a condition of being seated in a vehicle seat toward a front side of a motor vehicle when accident occurs. The vehicle seat with respect to the present invention has a construction in which an airbag module is housed in a housing portion in a seat pan, and in which a through-hole, into which a harness that transmits an activation signal to a gas generator when accident occurs is inserted, is provided in the housing portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing an internal structure of a vehicle seat 100 in the present embodiment and is a perspective view looking from diagonal backside of the motor vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section along a line A-A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section along a line B-B in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a work for housing an airbag module 30 into a housing portion 21 of a seat pan 20.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section showing a process for attaching and fixing the airbag module 30 into the housing portion 21 of the seat pan 20.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section showing a process for attaching and fixing the airbag module 30 into the housing portion 21 of the seat pan 20.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section showing the process for attaching and fixing the airbag module 30 into the housing portion 21 of the seat pan 20.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a construction of a seat pan 120 and an airbag module 130 in another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section along a line C-C in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-section along a line D-D in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing a work for housing an airbag module 130 into a housing portion 21 of a seat pan 120 according to another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing a work for housing an airbag module 230 into a housing portion 21 of a seat pan 220 according to another embodiment.

Claims

1. An airbag device for a vehicle seat, the airbag device comprising: a seat pan for supporting a seat cushion;an airbag arranged to be deployed for lifting the seat cushion;a gas generator for supplying inflation gas to the airbag;a housing portion of the seat pan configured for receiving the airbag and the gas generator;a signal transmission device for transmitting an electrical activation signal to the gas generator; andan opening in the seat pan housing portion configured to receive a portion of the signal transmission device extending therein.

2. The airbag device of claim 1 wherein the airbag and the gas generator are in an airbag module including a retainer, the seat pan housing portion includes a wall portion to which the retainer is fastened, and the opening for the signal transmission device portion is in the wall portion.

3. The airbag device of claim 2 including a bracket member and a fastener with the airbag module retainer secured to one side of the wall portion and the bracket secured to the other side of the wall portion, and an opening in the bracket for being aligned with the opening in the wall portion of the seat pan housing portion so that the signal transmission device portion extends from the one side of the wall portion to the other side thereof.

4. The airbag device of claim 1 wherein the signal transmission device portion comprises an elongate harness that extends through the opening in the seat pan housing portion.

5. The airbag device of claim 4 including a sealing member extending about the elongate harness in the opening to keep moisture from accessing the airbag.

6. The airbag device of claim 1 wherein the signal transmission device portion comprises a connector of the gas generator, and the signal transmission device comprises an elongate harness having a connector at one end thereof for being connected to the gas generator connector.

7. The airbag device of claim 1 wherein the housing portion of the seat pan comprises a recessed well in the seat pan in which the airbag and gas generator are received, and the opening is at a corner of the recessed well.

8. The airbag device of claim 7 including a support member extending adjacent to the recessed well for providing support thereto during airbag deployment.

9. The airbag device of claim 1 wherein the airbag and the gas generator are in an airbag module, the seat pan housing portion includes another opening, a support member extending along the seat pan housing portion for providing support thereto during airbag deployment and having an opening aligned with the other opening of the seat pan housing portion, anda fastener associated with the airbag module and received through the aligned openings for securing the airbag module, the seat pan, and the support member together.

10. A vehicle seat comprising: a seat pan for supporting a seat cushion;an airbag module including a gas generator and an airbag for being deployed to lift the seat cushion;a recessed portion of the seat pan configured for mounting the airbag module therein to generally position the airbag below the cushion;an opening in the seat pan recessed portion; anda harness extending through the opening for transmitting a control signal to the gas generator for activation thereof.

11. The vehicle seat of claim 10 wherein the recessed portion has an inclined wall portion having the opening for the harness therein.

12. The vehicle seat of claim 10 including a sealing member extending about the harness in the opening.

13. The vehicle seat of claim 10 wherein the recessed portion has at least one other opening for receiving a fastener to secure the airbag module to the seat pan.

14. The vehicle seat of claim 13 including a bracket member having an opening aligned with the other opening for receiving the fastener therethrough to secure the bracket member to the seat pan.

15. The vehicle seat of claim 14 including spaced side frame members with the bracket member extending between the side frame members and being secured thereto.

16. A method for installing an airbag module to a vehicle seat, the method comprising: advancing the airbag module toward a predetermined mounting location on a seat pan;fitting a harness for a gas generator of the airbag module through an opening in the seat pan at the predetermined mounting location thereof; andsecuring the airbag module at the mounting location on the seat pan.

17. The method of claim 16 including attaching a connector at an end of the harness fitted through the seat pan opening to a connector on the other side thereof.

18. The method of claim 16 including securing the seat pan to a reinforcement bracket.

19. The method of claim 16 including substantially sealing the opening with the harness extending therethrough.