# US 11,173,863 B1 · Restraint system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,173,863 B1 - Document ID: US11173863B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 17/068,080 - Filed: 2020-10-12 - Granted: 2021-11-16 - Earliest claimed: 2020-10-12 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Zhibing Deng; Joseph E. Abramczyk; Deepak Patel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11173863B1 ## CPC - B60R 21/23138: {specially adapted for side protection (B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence)} - B60R 21/0136: responsive to actual contact with an obstacle {, e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle (monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558)} - B60R 21/01554: {Seat position sensors} - B60R 21/02: Occupant safety arrangements or fittings {, e.g. crash pads (seat belts with crash pads B60R22/14; removable children's seats having a front guard or barrier B60N2/2839)} - B60R 21/235: characterised by their material - B60R 21/239: characterised by their venting means - B60R 21/264: using instantaneous generation of gas, e.g. pyrotechnic (B60R21/268 takes precedence) - B60R 21/276: with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure {(B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239)} - B60R 2021/0055: {Pelvis} - B60R 2021/01286: {Electronic control units} - B60R 2021/0273: {automatically movable to an operative position, e.g. in case of collision or impending collision} - B60R 2021/23115: {with inflatable support compartments creating an internal suction volume} - B60R 2021/23509: {Fabric} - B60R 2021/23523: {Composite} - B60R 2021/26094: {characterised by fluid flow controlling valves} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A restraint system includes a first plate, a second plate rotatably coupled to the first plate and rotatable away from the first plate from an undeployed position to a deployed position, a panel connected to the first plate and to the second plate, and a pyrotechnic activator coupled to the second plate. The panel is flexible relative to the first plate and the second plate. The first plate, the second plate, and the panel form a chamber having an interior volume. The pyrotechnic activator is arranged to, when discharged, rotate the second plate from the undeployed position toward the deployed position. One of the first plate or the second plate includes a vent hole in communication with the interior volume of the chamber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A restraint system comprising: a first plate; a second plate rotatably coupled to the first plate and rotatable away from the first plate from an undeployed position to a deployed position; a panel connected to the first plate and to the second plate, the panel being flexible relative to the first plate and the second plate; and a pyrotechnic activator coupled to the second plate and arranged to, when discharged, rotate the second plate from the undeployed position toward the deployed position; the first plate, the second plate, and the panel forming a chamber having an interior volume; and one of the first plate or the second plate including a vent hole in communication with the interior volume of the chamber. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a seat bottom, wherein the first plate is fixed relative to the seat bottom. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The restraint system of claim 2, wherein the first plate is positioned directly laterally to the seat bottom. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The restraint system of claim 3, wherein when an occupant is seated in the seat bottom and the second plate is in the deployed position, the panel is directly lateral to a hip of the occupant relative to the seat bottom. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The restraint system of claim 2, wherein the second plate extends from a first end at an axis of rotation of the second plate to a second end spaced from the axis of rotation, and when the second plate rotates from the undeployed position to the deployed position, the second end moves in a rearward direction relative to the seat bottom. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the chamber is sealed except for the vent hole. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a flap valve attached to the one of the first plate or the second plate including the vent hole, wherein the flap valve is rotatable between a closed position covering the vent hole and an open position exposing the vent hole. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The restraint system of claim 7, wherein the flap valve includes an outlet hole that is aligned with the vent hole when the flap valve is in the closed position, and the outlet hole has a smaller cross-sectional area than the vent hole does. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a cord extending from the pyrotechnic activator to the second plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The restraint system of claim 9, wherein discharging the pyrotechnic activator exerts a tension force on the cord. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The restraint system of claim 10, further comprising a hinge rotatably coupling the first plate and the second plate, wherein the pyrotechnic activator is positioned on an opposite side of the first plate from the second plate in the undeployed position, and the cord extends from the pyrotechnic activator around the hinge to the second plate when the second plate is in the undeployed position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the panel is fabric. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing rib extending along the panel, wherein the reinforcing rib is spaced from the first plate and from the second plate when the second plate is in the deployed position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the panel is thermoplastic elastomer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the panel has a pleat. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The restraint system of claim 15, further comprising a hinge rotatably coupling the first plate and the second plate, wherein the pleat is elongated from an end at the hinge, and the pleat is folded when the second plate is in the undeployed position and extended when the second plate is in the deployed position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a hinge rotatably coupling the first plate and the second plate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The restraint system of claim 1, wherein rotating the second plate from the undeployed position toward the deployed position expands the interior volume of the chamber. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a controller communicatively coupled to the pyrotechnic activator, wherein the controller is programmed to instruct the pyrotechnic activator to discharge upon receiving data indicating an impact to a vehicle including the restraint system. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The restraint system of claim 19, wherein the controller is further programmed to prevent the pyrotechnic activator from discharging in response to data indicating a seatback recline angle below a threshold angle.