Mounting device for an airbag module
View Patent ↗A mounting device for mounting an airbag module to a seat frame having a bottom frame and a back frame mounted to the bottom frame and having at least one side member extending in a substantially vertical direction. The mounting device includes a mounting bracket, mounted to an outside surface of the side member and connected to the airbag module, and at least one load transfer device, mounted to an inside surface of the side member and engaging a front portion or a rear portion of the side member, having a main body shaped to engage the inside surface and an engagement portion extending from the main body and shaped to engage the front portion or the rear portion. The load transfer device distributes a load, originating at the airbag module as a result of deployment or occupant loading of the airbag, from the mounting bracket to the seat frame.
1. An airbag assembly for a seat frame for a vehicle, the seat frame having a bottom frame configured to support a seat bottom and a back frame mounted to the bottom frame and configured to support a seat back, the back frame having at least one side member extending in a substantially vertical direction, comprising:
a mounting bracket mounted to an outside surface of the side member, wherein the mounting bracket is shaped to partially cover the outside surface of the side member and extends along the length of the side member; and
an airbag module mounted to the mounting bracket, the airbag module including an inflator and an airbag;
at least one load transfer device mounted to an inside surface of the side member and engaging a front portion or a rear portion of the side member, wherein the load transfer device distributes a load from the mounting bracket to the seat frame to at least one of the inside surface, the front portion, or the rear portion of the side member, the load originating at the airbag module as a result of deployment of the airbag or occupant loading of the airbag,
the load transfer device having:
a main body shaped to engage the inside surface of the side member; and
an engagement portion extending from the main body, the engagement portion shaped to engage the front portion or the rear portion of the side member.
2. The airbag assembly of claim 1 , wherein a front edge of the mounting bracket is substantially flush with a front edge of the side member.
3. The airbag assembly of claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion engages the front portion of the side member and wherein a front edge of the engagement portion is substantially flush with a front edge of the side member.
4. The airbag assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket is an inflator having a mounting feature configured to extend through the side member to engage the load transfer device.
5. The airbag assembly of claim 1 , wherein the main body is fastened to the inside surface of the side member.
6. The airbag assembly of claim 5 , wherein the load transfer device extends along a portion of the length of the side member, and wherein the main body is fastened at an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the main body to the inside surface of the side member.
7. The airbag assembly of claim 6 , wherein the length of the load transfer device is substantially equal to the length of the mounting bracket.
8. The airbag assembly of claim 1 , wherein the load transfer device is mounted to an upper portion of the side member.
9. The airbag assembly of claim 1 , wherein the load transfer device is mounted to a lower portion of the side member.
10. The airbag assembly of claim 1 , wherein an upper edge of the engagement portion is aligned with an upper edge of the mounting bracket.
11. The airbag assembly of claim 1 , wherein a lower edge of the engagement portion is aligned with a lower edge of the mounting bracket.
12. The airbag assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least two load transfer devices are mounted to the inside surface of the side member.
13. The airbag assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first load transfer device is mounted to an upper portion of the side member and the second load transfer device is mounted to a lower portion of the inside surface of the side member.
14. The airbag assembly of claim 13 , wherein an extension engaging a portion of the inside surface and a portion of the front portion of the side member extends along a portion of the length of the side member and connects the first load transfer device to the second load transfer device.
15. The airbag assembly of claim 1 , wherein the main body has a first leg and a second leg, the first leg and the second leg being connected in a substantially L-shape.
16. The airbag assembly of claim 15 , wherein the load transfer device has at least one angled rib connecting from the first leg to the second leg.
17. The airbag assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inside surface of the side member is contoured, and wherein the main body has cutouts shaped to form around the contours such that the contours protrude through the cutouts.
18. The airbag assembly of claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion of the load transfer device is integrally connected to the mounting bracket.
19. A seat frame assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a seat frame having a bottom frame configured to support a seat bottom and a back frame mounted to the bottom frame and configured to support a seat back, the back frame having at least one side member extending in a substantially vertical direction;
a mounting bracket mounted to an outside surface of the side member and configured to be connected to an airbag module, wherein the mounting bracket is shaped to partially cover the outside surface of the side member and extend along a portion of the length of the side member; and
at least one load transfer device mounted to an inside surface of the side member and engaging a front portion or a rear portion of the side member, wherein the load transfer device distributes a load from the mounting bracket to the seat frame to at least one of the inside surface, the front portion, or the rear portion of the side member, the load originating at the airbag module as a result of deployment of the airbag or occupant loading of the airbag,
the load transfer device having:
a main body shaped to engage the inside surface of the side member; and
an engagement portion extending from the main body, the engagement portion shaped to engage the front portion or the rear portion of the side member.
20. A mounting device for mounting an airbag module to a seat frame for a vehicle, the seat frame having a bottom frame configured to support a seat bottom and a back frame mounted to the bottom frame and configured to support a seat back, the back frame having at least one side member extending in a substantially vertical direction, comprising:
a mounting bracket configured to be mounted to an outside surface of the side member and configured to be connected to the airbag module, wherein the mounting bracket is shaped to partially cover the outside surface of the side member and extend along a portion of the length of the side member; and
at least one load transfer device configured to be mounted to an inside surface the side member and engage a front portion or a rear portion of the side member, wherein the load transfer device distributes a load from the mounting bracket to the seat frame to at least one of the inside surface, the front portion, or the rear portion of the side member, the load originating at the airbag module as a result of deployment of the airbag or occupant loading of the airbag,
the load transfer device having:
a main body shaped to engage the inside surface of the side member; and
an engagement portion extending from the main body, the engagement portion shaped to engage the front portion or the rear portion of the side member.