Ford has recently filed a patent for a floor-mounted airbag that is positioned between the rear seats and the cargo space, designed to ensure the safety of occupants in the event of a collision. This innovative technology has the potential to be applied to both passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

The proposed airbag would be concealed underneath the floor in the cargo area, near the backs of the rear seats. At least one tether and retractor would be hidden behind a trim piece along the side pillar.

In the event of a collision, the airbag would rapidly inflate, and the retractor would pull the tether to deploy the airbag quickly and efficiently. The shape of the airbag would be C-shaped to provide protection along the seatback and the walls of the vehicle. The airbag curtain would be taller than the rear seats, potentially extending as high as the roof. This barrier would effectively prevent loose cargo in the cargo bay from striking passengers in the back seat.

Furthermore, Ford also describes an alternative version of this system, where a section of the airbag would extend over the seatback when deployed. This additional feature would provide protection for the heads of occupants during a collision.

The patent also outlines a configuration where the passenger area is open to the cargo space. In this scenario, the floor airbag system would prevent cargo from sliding forward in the event of a crash.

The activation of the airbag would follow the same mechanism employed for driver airbags. Sensors would be connected to a computer system, which, in the event of a crash, would send a signal to an inflator that would fill the airbag with gas.

It is important to note that the patent description does not provide specific details on how this technology would function in commercial vehicles, such as the Ford Transit van. However, one possible application could be to protect goods inside a delivery vehicle. The C-shaped airbag would cover the walls and prevent packages from falling during a collision.

As with any patent filing, there is no guarantee that Ford will actually introduce this airbag application into production. Companies often patent ideas to safeguard their concepts from being taken by competitors.