AN AUTOMOTIVE SEAT ASSEMBLY HAVING AN INTEGRAL TEAR SEAM

摘要

An automotive seat assembly is provided with an integrated side impact airba g. The seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back mounted to the se at cushion. A seat cushion trim cover material covers the seat cushion and a se at back trim cover material covers the seat back. The seat assembly is characterized by a tear seam integrally formed within a bolster section of t he seat back trim cover material. The tear seam defines a frangible line of weakness within the trim cover material wherein the airbag will tear through the tear seam when the airbag is deployed and inflated to a position outside of the seat assembly. The subject invention also includes a manufacturing apparatus for forming the tear seam in the trim cover material. The apparatu s comprises a template (48) supporting the trim cover material (28). A C-shape d raised ridge (50) extends upwardly from the template to abut the inside surface of the trim cover material (28). A welder (52) is disposed adjacent the outside surface of the trim cover material (28) such that the trim cover material is wedged between the template (48) and the welder (52). The welder is aligned with the raised ridge to form the tear seam within the trim cover material.