Abstract:
A vehicle air-bag apparatus includes an air-bag (8) and a seat (2) mounted within a passenger compartment of a vehicle (1). The seat (2) is adjustable relative to the air-bag (8) along a first axis between a forward-most position and a rearward-most position. The forward-most position is a position of the seat (2) in which a distance (A) between the air-bag (8) and a passenger seated in the seat (2) is equal to a minimum safe clearance. The air-bag (8) is fixedly positioned with respect to either a steering wheel (6) or a dashboard. Vehicle control pedals (4) are adjustable relative to the seat (2) by a position adjusting mechanism (14).
Abstract:
A vehicle air-bag minimum enforcement apparatus for use with a first air-bag and a first seat mounted within a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the apparatus including a first seat position adjusting mechanism to movably connect the first seat with respect to the vehicle, and to allow the first seat to move relative to the first air-bag along a first axis between a forward-most position and a rearward-most position, in which the forward-most position is a position of the first seat in which a distance between a passenger seated in the first seat and the first air-bag is equal to a minimum clearance distance, displacement of the first seat away from the forward-most position increasing the distance between the first seat and the first air-bag, and the first air-bag is fixedly positioned with respect to one of a steering wheel assembly for a driver and a dashboard arrangement for a passenger other than the driver, in which the minimum clearance distance is the distance between a reference line of a seat-back of the first seat less a predetermined protrusion of an occupant. The predetermined protrusion of the occupant is one of a fixed distance, and an actual occupant protrusion. The actual occupant protrusion is determinable based on an extracted seat belt length.
Abstract:
A vehicle pedal and seat adjustment system comprises pedals (4) and seat (2) which are adjustable between forward-most and rearward-most positions. An air bag (8) is located in front of the seat (2). The forward-most position of the seat (2) is defined as a position of the seat (2) in which a distance between an occupant in the seat (2) and the air bag (8) is equal to a minimum safe distance. This system prevents the air bag (8) from injuring the occupant, while allowing the occupant to comfortably operate the pedal (4).