Ford Files for Airbag Patent

Ford Motor Co. has filed a U.S. patent for a driver airbag system that aims to enhance protection during offset front impact crashes.

In addition to the main steering wheel-mounted airbag, the new design includes two “side-wing” airbags on either side of the steering column. A separate inflator is used for the side airbags, which allows deployment to be limited to off-axis collisions.  

Deployed from a central housing unit, the side airbags are tethered together via a fabric panel. Ford says the so-called “bow-tie” design can catch and cushion an occupant’s head that otherwise might glance off the central airbag and into either the A-pillar or the dashboard if the vehicle is struck at an angle.

Last week, Honda Motor Co. and Autoliv Inc. detailed a similar system for front-seat passengers. Honda plans to introduce the technology in unspecified models next year.