AN AIRBAG UNIT

摘要

There is disclosed an airbag unit (23) mounted to a vehicle seat (1) having a squab (2) and a backrest (5), the backrest having a frame (6) covered with upholstery (7). The airbag unit comprises an inflatable airbag (27) having a main panel (29) of flexible material and an inlet (34) connected to an inflator (24) to inflate the airbag. The airbag unit (23) is mounted to the backrest frame (6) with the inflator (24) positioned to direct inflating gas into the airbag (27) in a generally forward direction (50) relative to the backrest (5), and is characterised in that the inflator (24) is mounted to the frame (6) at a position inboard of part (11) of the frame; the airbag (27) is rolled and/or folded into an airbag package (46) positioned on an opposing outboard side of said part (11) of the frame; and the airbag package (46) is fluidly connected to the inlet (34) of the airbag by a connecting region (47) of the airbag which extends around a front region (13) of the backrest frame; the airbag (27) further incorporating a protective panel (37) arranged i) to lie between the airbag package (46) and the backrest frame (6), and/or ii) to lie between the connecting region (47) of the airbag and the backrest frame (6), the protective panel (37) thereby providing protection to said main panel (29) from damage arising from contact with the backrest frame (6).