A seat mounting structure is disclosed for reducing injury to vehicle
occupants in side impact collisions. The seat mounting structure may
include an inflation module, a linkage system, a sensor system, and a
side airbag. The inflation module may include an inflatable structure and
inflator or a piston device. The linkage system attaches the seat
mounting structure to a seat and may help guide the movement of the seat.
The sensor system may include a radar sensor and an optical sensor to
help the sensor system anticipate an impending side impact. The seat
mounting structure mitigates injury to the occupant by moving the
occupant vertically up and laterally toward a centerline of the vehicle,
thus increasing the space between the sidewall of the vehicle and the
occupant. Additionally, the inflation module may comprise an inflatable
structure that stiffens a floor structure of the vehicle upon inflation.