Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for door-mounted airbags that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on May 17th, 2022, published on May 16th, 2023, and assigned serial number 11648907.
The Ford Authority Take
Of the many patents it has generated in recent months, a large number of Ford’s filings consist of airbag-related patents. That includes one for a seat bottom-mounted airbag system, a seat bottom mounted airbag that protects pets, a side airbag with adaptive positioning, a movable roof supported airbag system, an instrument panel mounted driver airbag, a full seatback airbag system, a seatback supported airbag system, a center console airbag system, and a seatback-mounted overhead airbag. Now, that trend continues with this filing for door-mounted airbags that may be used in future Ford vehicles as well.
As one might imagine, the premise behind this patent is rather simple – it outlines how the automaker might place airbags in a vehicle’s doors, proving a bit of extra protection for an occupant’s head, torso, and hip. In this case, these airbags are designed to provide extra protection in the event of a side collision, which could very easily cause a serious injury to those areas.
This new airbag design consists of units mounted along the top of the vehicle’s pillar, which would inflate in the event of a collision. The airbags would inflate not only outward, but also down, providing near complete protection along the entire span of the doors. It’s an interesting yet simple idea, making it quite possible that we’ll see such a setup in future Ford vehicles at some point.
We’ll have more on this and all Ford patents soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford patent news, Ford business news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
Not really anything to do with this article, but what the heck did Lincoln do with this thing (red SUV). I think it’s the Aviator? Anyhow, I’m totally not interested in any SUV’s of any kind from any brand. But at least the Aviator was a nice looking SUV. The front of this red one looks horrible.
DAB: looks like blatant cost cutting.
Very well could be the cost cutting, but whatever the reason it looks way uglier. I don’t understand, weather GM or Ford, why they can’t stick with anything. Personally I hate the Japanese brands (all of them), but I’ll give credit where credit is due. Toyota and Honda stick with things and it’s a winning formula.
Lincoln at least went back to names (for now). And their design for the past 4 years has been nice. But they won’t stick with it and will jump on the next thing that comes along. Is this a problem with constant changes in management or what?
Just YET ANOTHER ting to increase the cost of all vehicles for very little in return !!!!!!!!! Ford and Lincoln will soon be OUT OF F BUSINESS !!!!!!!