U.S. patent application number 16/750024 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-29 for airbag assembly inflatable from seat bottom.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to S.M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, Anil Kalra.
Application Number | 20210229617 16/750024 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004619955 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210229617 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jaradi; Dean M. ; et
al. |
July 29, 2021 |
AIRBAG ASSEMBLY INFLATABLE FROM SEAT BOTTOM
Abstract
An assembly includes a seatback and a seat bottom. The seat
bottom has a seat bottom frame. The seat bottom frame has a front
side spaced from the seatback, a first side extending between the
seatback and the front side, and a second side spaced from the
first side and extending between the seatback and the front side.
An airbag is supported by the front side and inflatable to an
inflated position. An external tether extends from the airbag to
the seatback.
Inventors: |
Jaradi; Dean M.; (Macomb,
MI) ; Farooq; S.M. Iskander; (Novi, MI) ;
Faruque; Mohammad Omar; (Ann Arbor, MI) ; Kalra;
Anil; (Canton, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ford Global Technologies,
LLC
Dearborn
MI
|
Family ID: |
1000004619955 |
Appl. No.: |
16/750024 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 21/207 20130101;
B60R 21/2338 20130101; B60R 2021/23386 20130101; B60R 21/013
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 21/207 20060101
B60R021/207; B60R 21/2338 20060101 B60R021/2338 |
Claims
1. An assembly comprising: a seatback and a seat bottom, the seat
bottom having a seat bottom frame; the seat bottom frame having a
front side spaced from the seatback, a first side extending between
the seatback and the front side, and a second side spaced from the
first side and extending between the seatback and the front side;
an airbag supported by the front side and inflatable to an inflated
position; and an external tether extending from the airbag to the
seatback.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag includes an
inflatable portion and a non-inflatable portion.
3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the inflatable portion is
elongated from a first end to a second end, the first end and the
second end being spaced from each other and connected to the seat
bottom, the inflatable portion being spaced from the seat bottom
between the first end and the second end in the inflated
position.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the non-inflatable portion is
connected to the inflatable portion between the first end and the
second end.
5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the non-inflatable portion is
adjacent the seat bottom in the inflated position.
6. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the non-inflatable portion is
connected to the inflatable portion at a first location adjacent
the first end and at a second location adjacent the second end.
7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the non-inflatable portion is
connected to the inflatable portion between the first location and
the second location.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the inflatable portion turns
generally 180 degrees from the first end to the second end.
9. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the inflatable portion is
tubular from the first end to the second end.
10. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the inflatable portion turns
generally 180 degrees from the first end to the second end.
11. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the inflatable portion has a
first leg at the first end, a second leg at the second end, and a
cross-member spaced from the seat bottom and extending from the
first leg to the second leg, the non-inflatable portion being
connected to the first leg, the second leg, and the
cross-member.
12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the external tether is
embedded in the seatback and the seat bottom before the airbag is
inflated to the inflated position.
13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the external tether is
connected to an upper portion of the seatback.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the airbag has a distal end
distal to the seat bottom in the inflated position and the external
tether is connected to the distal end.
15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag has a distal end
distal to the seat bottom in the inflated position and the external
tether is connected to the distal end.
16. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second external
tether spaced from the external tether and extending from the
airbag to the seatback.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the seatback has a first
bolster, a second bolster, and an occupant seating area between the
first bolster and the second bolster, the external tether being
connected to the first bolster and the second external tether being
connected to the second bolster.
18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the airbag has a distal end
distal to the seat bottom in the inflated position, the external
tether and the second external tether being connected to the distal
end.
19. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the external tether is
embedded in the first bolster and the seat bottom before the airbag
is inflated to the inflated position and the second external tether
is embedded in the second bolster and the seat bottom before the
airbag is inflated to the inflated position.
20. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the seatback includes an
actuator, the external tether being connected to the actuator and
retractable by the actuator.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] A vehicle may include one or more airbags deployable during
a vehicle impact to control kinematics of occupants inside the
vehicle during the impact. The airbag may be a component of an
airbag assembly including a housing supporting the airbag, and an
inflation device in communication with the airbag for inflating the
airbag from an uninflated position to an inflated position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle including a seat
with an airbag.
[0003] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat including the
airbag in an inflated position.
[0004] FIG. 3A is a side view of the seat with the airbag
uninflated.
[0005] FIG. 3B is a side view of the seat with the airbag in the
inflated position.
[0006] FIG. 3C is a side view of the seat with the airbag in the
inflated position and an external tether retracted.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the airbag mounted to a
front side of the seat and in the inflated position.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the seat with the airbag
uninflated.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a communications network.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a method performed by a
computer of the vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] An assembly includes a seatback and a seat bottom. The seat
bottom has a seat bottom frame. The seat bottom frame has a front
side spaced from the seatback, a first side extending between the
seatback and the front side, and a second side spaced from the
first side and extending between the seatback and the front side.
An airbag is supported by the front side and inflatable to an
inflated position. An external tether extends from the airbag to
the seatback.
[0012] The airbag may include an inflatable portion and a
non-inflatable portion.
[0013] The inflatable portion may be elongated from a first end to
a second end. The first end and the second end may be spaced from
each other and connected to the seat bottom. The inflatable portion
may be spaced from the seat bottom between the first end and the
second end in the inflated position.
[0014] The non-inflatable portion may be connected to the
inflatable portion between the first end and the second end.
[0015] The non-inflatable portion may be adjacent the seat bottom
in the inflated position.
[0016] The non-inflatable portion may be connected to the
inflatable portion at a first location adjacent the first end and
at a second location adjacent the second end.
[0017] The non-inflatable portion may be connected to the
inflatable portion between the first location and the second
location.
[0018] The inflatable portion may turn generally 180 degrees from
the first end to the second end.
[0019] The inflatable portion may be tubular from the first end to
the second end.
[0020] The inflatable portion may have a first leg at the first
end, a second leg at the second end, and a cross-member spaced from
the seat bottom and extending from the first leg to the second leg,
the non-inflatable portion being connected to the first leg, the
second leg, and the cross-member.
[0021] The external tether may be embedded in the seatback and the
seat bottom before the airbag is in the inflated position.
[0022] The external tether may be connected to an upper portion of
the seatback.
[0023] The airbag may have a distal end distal to the seat bottom
in the inflated position and the external tether may be connected
to the distal end.
[0024] The assembly may include a second external tether spaced
from the external tether and extending from the airbag to the
seatback.
[0025] The seatback may have a first bolster, a second bolster, and
an occupant seating area between the first bolster and the second
bolster, the external tether may be connected to the first bolster
and the second external tether may be connected to the second
bolster.
[0026] The airbag may have a distal end distal to the seat bottom
in the inflated position. The external tether and the second
external tether may be connected to the distal end.
[0027] The external tether may be embedded in the first bolster and
the seat bottom before the airbag is inflated to the inflated
position and the second external tether may be embedded in the
second bolster and the seat bottom before the airbag is inflated to
the inflated position.
[0028] The seatback may include an actuator. The external tether
may be connected to the actuator and retractable by the
actuator.
[0029] With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals
indicate like parts throughout the several views, an assembly for a
vehicle 10 is generally shown. The assembly includes a seatback 12
and a seat bottom 14. The seat bottom 14 has a seat bottom frame
16. The seat bottom frame 16 has a front side 18 spaced from the
seatback 12, a first side 20 extending between the seatback 12 and
the front side 18, and a second side 22 spaced from the first side
20 and extending between the seatback 12 and the front side 18. An
airbag 24 is supported by the front side 18 and is inflatable to an
inflated position 26. An external tether 28 extends from the airbag
24 to the seatback 12.
[0030] The airbag 24 is inflatable to the inflated position 26,
shown in FIG. 2, to control the kinematics of the vehicle occupant.
When the occupant is urged in a direction away from the seatback 12
and beyond the front side 18 of the seat bottom frame 16, the
occupant contacts the airbag 24. The external tether 28 supports
the airbag 24. Specifically, the airbag 24 and the occupant are
supported by the external tether 28. In other words, when the
occupant is urged in a direction away from the seatback 12 and
beyond the front side 18 of the seat bottom frame 16, the airbag 24
and the external tether 28 in the inflated position 26 support the
occupant.
[0031] The vehicle 10 may be any suitable type of automobile, e.g.,
a passenger or commercial automobile such as a sedan, a coupe, a
truck, a sport utility vehicle, a crossover vehicle, a van, a
minivan, a taxi, a bus, etc. The vehicle 10, for example may be an
autonomous vehicle. In other words, the vehicle 10 may be
autonomously controlled such that the vehicle 10 may be driven
without constant attention from the driver.
[0032] The vehicle 10 includes a passenger cabin 30 to house
occupants, if any, of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes one
or more seats 108. The seats 108 may be arranged in the passenger
cabin 30 in any suitable position, i.e., as front seats, rear
seats, third-row seats, etc. The seats 108 may be moveable relative
to the floor to various positions, e.g., movable fore-and-aft
and/or cross vehicle. The seats 108 may be of any suitable type,
e.g., a bucket seat as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0033] The seat 108 may include the seatback 12, the seat bottom
14, and a head restraint 32. The seat includes a covering 34, as
described further below. The seatback 12 may be supported by the
seat bottom 14 and may be stationary or moveable relative to the
seat bottom 14. The head restraint 32 may be supported by the
seatback 12 and may be stationary or movable relative to the
seatback 12. The seatback 12, the seat bottom 14, and the head
restraint 32 may be adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom.
Specifically, the seatback 12, the seat bottom 14, and the head
restraint 32 may themselves be adjustable, in other words,
adjustable components within the seatback 12, the seat bottom 14,
and/or the head restraint 32 may be adjustable relative to each
other.
[0034] The seatback 12 includes a first side 36, a second side 38,
a front 40 extending between the first side 36 and the second side
38, and a rear 42 extending between the first side 36 to the second
side 38. As shown in FIG. 2, when the seat 108 is in the
forward-facing position, the front 40 of the seat faces
vehicle-forward and the rear 42 of the seat 108 faces
vehicle-rearward.
[0035] The seatback 12 includes a midline 44 extending from the
first side 36 to the second side 38. Specifically, the midline 44
is horizontal. The seatback 12 includes an upper portion 46 above
the midline 44 and a lower portion 48 below the midline 44.
[0036] The seatback 12 defines an occupant seating area 50 on the
front 40 between the first side 36 and the second side 38. When the
occupant occupies the seat, the back of the occupant leans against
the occupant seating area 50.
[0037] The seatback 12 may include a seatback frame 52. The
seatback frame 52 may include tubes, beams, etc. The seatback frame
52 may be of any suitable plastic material, e.g., carbon fiber
reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced semi-finished
thermoplastic composite (organosheet), etc. As another example,
some or all components of the seatback frame 52 may be a suitable
metal, e.g., a steel, aluminum, etc.
[0038] The seatback 12 may have bolsters 54 on opposite sides of
the occupant seating area 50. The bolsters 54 are elongated, and
specifically, are elongated in a generally upright direction when
the seatback 12 is in a generally upright position. The bolsters 54
define cross-seat boundaries of the seatback 12, i.e., the seatback
12 terminates at the bolsters 54. The bolsters 54 may extend in a
seat-forward direction relative to the occupant seating area 50,
i.e., on opposite sides of the torso and shoulders of an occupant
seated on the seat assembly. The extension of the bolsters 54
relative to the occupant seating area 50 may be defined by the
seatback frame 52 and/or the covering 34. In the example shown in
the Figures, the size and shape of both the seatback frame 52 and
the covering 34 form the bolsters 54.
[0039] The seat bottom 14 may include the seat bottom frame 16. The
seat bottom frame 16 includes the front side 18, a rear side 56,
the first side 20, and the second side 22. The rear side 56 is
proximate the seatback 12 and the front side 18 is distal the
seatback 12. When the seat 108 is in the forward-facing position,
the front side 18 of the seat bottom frame 16 faces
vehicle-forward. The first side 20 and the second side 22 are
spaced from each other, i.e., in a cross-seat direction. As set
forth above, the first side 20 and the second side 22 both extend
between the seatback 12 and the front side 18. In other words, the
first side 20 and the second side 22 are elongated in a
seat-forward direction. As an example, the first side 20 and the
second side 22 may extend from the seatback 12 to the front side
18. In such examples, the first side 20 and the second side 22 may
be connected to the seatback 12, e.g., by a rotatable hinge.
[0040] The seat bottom frame 16 may include tubes, beams, etc. The
seat bottom frame 16 may be of any suitable plastic material, e.g.,
carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced
semi-finished thermoplastic composite (organosheet), etc. As
another example, some or all components of the seat bottom frame 16
may be of a suitable material, e.g., a steel, aluminum, etc.
[0041] The seat bottom 14, e.g., the covering 34, may include a top
side 58 extending between the first side 20 and the second side 22.
The top side 58 of the covering 34 faces the vehicle roof. When the
occupant occupies the seat, the occupant rests on the top side 58
of the seat bottom 14.
[0042] As set forth above, the seat 108 includes one or more
covering 34. Specifically, the seat bottom 14 and/or the seatback
12 may each include the covering 34. For example, seat bottom 14
may include the covering 34 supported on the seat bottom frame 16
and the seatback 12 may include the covering 34 supported on the
seat bottom frame 16. The covering 34 on the seat bottom frame 16
may be separate from the covering 34 on the seatback frame 52. The
covering 34 may include upholstery and padding. The upholstery may
be cloth, faux leather, or any other suitable material. The
upholstery may be stitched in panels around the frame. The padding
may be between the covering 34 and the seatback frame 52 and may be
foam or any other suitable material. The covering 34, e.g., the
covering 34 on the seat bottom frame 16, may include a tear seam 60
adjacent to the airbag 24. The airbag 24 tears and extends through
the tear seam 60 in the inflated position 26.
[0043] The vehicle includes an airbag assembly 62. The airbag
assembly 62 includes the airbag 24 and the external tether 28. The
seatback 12 may include an actuator 64 connected to the external
tether 28 to retract the external tether 28, as described further
below. As described above, the airbag 24 is inflated in response to
a vehicle impact and may support the occupant in the event the
occupant moves forward on the seat bottom 14. The external tether
28 supports the airbag 24 to support the occupant on the airbag 24
in such an event. In examples including the actuator 64, the
actuator 64 retracts the external tether 28 to provide support to
the occupant and/or to move the occupant back toward the seat
bottom 14.
[0044] The airbag 24 is supported by the seat bottom 14, e.g., the
seat bottom frame 16. The airbag 24 may be supported by the front
side 18 of the seat bottom frame 16. The airbag 24 may be directly
or indirectly connected to the front side 18 of the seat bottom
frame 16. As one example, the airbag 24 may be fastened to the
front side 18 with releasable fasteners (not shown), e.g., tearable
fabric straps. In such an example, the airbag 24 may be rolled in
the uninflated position 26 and release the releasable fasteners as
the airbag 24 unrolls to the inflated position 26. As another
example, the airbag assembly 62 may include a housing 66 connected
to the front side 18 and supporting the airbag 24. In examples
including the housing 66, the airbag 24 may be folded in the
housing 66 when the airbag 24 is uninflated and the airbag 24
extends from the housing 66 in the inflated position 26. The
housing 66 may be, for example, plastic. The airbag assembly 62 may
be concealed by the cover and may break through the tear seam 60 as
the airbag 24 inflates to the inflated position 26.
[0045] The airbag assembly 62 includes an inflator 68. The inflator
68 is in fluid communication with the airbag 24 to inflate the
airbag 24 with an inflation medium such as a gas. The inflator 68
may be, for example, a pyrotechnic inflator that uses a chemical
reaction to drive inflation medium to the airbag 24. The inflator
68 may be of any suitable type, for example, a cold-gas inflator.
With reference to FIG. 4, the inflator 68 may be fixed directly to
the seat bottom frame 16. In such examples, the inflator may be
mounted on the front side 18 of the seat bottom frame 16. As an
example, the inflator 68 may be in fluid communication with the
airbag 24 through one or more fill tubes 78 that extend through the
front side 18. In examples including the housing 66, the inflator
may be supported by the housing 66.
[0046] The airbag 24 has a distal end 70 and a proximal end 72. In
the inflated position 26, the distal end 70 is distal to the seat
bottom 14, e.g., the front side 18 of the seat bottom frame 16, and
the proximal end 72 is proximate to the seat bottom 14, e.g., the
front side 18 of the seat bottom frame 16. In other words, in the
inflated position 26, the airbag 24 extends from the seat bottom 14
from the proximal end 72 to the distal end 70 and the proximal end
72 is between the seat bottom 14 and the distal end 70.
[0047] The airbag 24 may be elongated from the proximal end 72 to
the distal end 70. In other words, the airbag 24 may be longer in
the seat-forward direction than in the cross-seat direction.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the airbag 24 includes an
inflatable portion 74 and may include a non-inflatable portion 76.
The inflatable portion 74 includes an inflation chamber. The
inflation chamber receives inflation medium from the inflator to
inflate the airbag 24 to the inflated position 26. The
non-inflatable portion 76 is not in fluid communication with the
inflation chamber. In other words, the non-inflatable portion 76 is
not inflated by the inflator 68 and does not inflate.
[0049] The inflatable portion 74 and the non-inflatable portion 76
may be formed separately and subsequently connected. In such
examples, the non-inflatable portion 76 may be connected to the
inflatable portion 74 by stitching. As another example, the
inflatable portion 74 and the non-inflatable portion 76 may be
unitary, i.e., the inflatable portion 74 and the non-inflatable
portion 76 are a single, uniform piece of material with no seams,
joints, fasteners, or adhesives holding them together. In this
example, the inflatable portion 74 and the non-inflatable portion
76 may be woven as a unitary piece of fabric. The inflatable
portion 74 and the non-inflatable portion 76 may be different
material types or the same material type.
[0050] The inflatable portion 74 and the non-inflatable portion 76
may be fabric, as an example, the inflatable portion 74 may be
woven nylon yarn, for example, nylon 6, 6. Other examples include
polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK),
polyester, etc. The woven polymer may include a coating, such as
silicone, neoprene, urethane, etc. For example, the coating may be
polyorgano siloxane. The non-inflatable portion 76 may be the same
type of material as the inflatable portion 74 or a different type
of material than the inflatable portion 74.
[0051] The inflatable portion 74 may have a first end 80 and a
second end 82 spaced from each other and each connected to the seat
bottom 14, e.g., the front side 18 of the seat bottom frame 16. In
such an example, the inflatable portion 74 may be elongated from
the first end 80 to the second end 82. The first end 80 and the
second end 82 may be connected to the seat bottom 14 on any
suitable manner. For example, the first end 80 and the second end
82 may be connected directly or indirectly to the front side 18 of
the seat bottom frame 16, as described above.
[0052] The inflatable portion 74 may be spaced from the seat bottom
14 between the first end 80 and the second end 82 in the inflated
position 26. In such examples, the non-inflatable portion 76 may be
between the inflatable portion 74 and the seat bottom 14. In other
words, non-inflatable portion 76 may occupy a space between the
inflatable portion 74 and the seat bottom 14, as described further
below.
[0053] The inflatable portion 74 may be tubular from the first end
80 to the second end 82. In such an example, the inflation chamber
may extend from the first end 80 to the second end 82. In examples
in which the inflatable portion 74 is tubular, the cross-section of
the inflatable portion 74 may be round (as shown in the Figures) or
may be of any other suitable shape.
[0054] In examples in which the inflatable portion 74 is tubular,
the inflatable portion 74 may turn generally 180 degrees from the
first end 80 to the second end 82. For example, the inflatable
portion 74 may extend from the front side 18 in generally the same
direction at the first end 80 and the second end 82 and may turn
generally 180 degrees between the first end 80 and the second end
82. As one example, the inflatable portion 74 may be generally
U-shaped, as shown in the Figures. Specifically, the inflatable
portion 74 may have a first leg 84 at the first end 80, a second
leg 86 at the second end 82, and a cross-member 88 spaced from the
seat bottom 14 and extending from the first leg 84 to the second
leg 86. In such an example, the cross-member 88 is at the distal
end 70 of the airbag 24. The inflation chamber may be continuous
through the first leg 84, the cross-member 88, and the second leg
86, i.e., the inflator inflates each of the first leg 84, the
cross-member 88, and the second leg 86. As another example, the
inflatable portion 74 may be arcuate from the first end 80 to the
second end 82.
[0055] As set forth above, the non-inflatable portion 76 may be
between the inflatable portion 74 and the seat bottom 14. As set
forth below, the non-inflatable portion 76 is supported by the
inflatable portion 74 and moves with the inflatable portion 74 as
the inflatable portion 74 inflates to the inflated position 26. The
non-inflatable portion 76 may be adjacent the seat bottom 14 in the
inflated position 26, i.e., the lack of any other elements between
the non-inflatable portion 76 and the seat bottom 14.
[0056] As set forth above, the non-inflatable portion 76 is
supported by the inflatable portion 74. For example, the
non-inflatable portion 76 is connected to the inflatable portion
74. As set forth above, the non-inflatable portion 76 may be formed
separately from the inflatable portion 74 and subsequently
connected to the inflatable portion 74. As another example, the
inflatable portion 74 and the non-inflatable portion 76 may be
unitary.
[0057] In examples in which the inflatable portion 74 is tubular,
the non-inflatable portion 76 is connected to the inflatable
portion 74 between the first end 80 and the second end 82, i.e.,
the non-inflatable portion 76 is connected to the inflatable
portion 74 at one or more locations between the first end 80 and
the second end 82. The non-inflatable portion 76 may be connected
to the inflatable portion 74 at a first location 90 adjacent the
first end 80 and at a second location 92 adjacent the second end
82. In such an example, the non-inflatable portion 76 may be
connected to the inflatable portion 74 between the first location
90 and the second location 92. Specifically, in examples in which
the inflatable portion 74 is generally U-shaped, the non-inflatable
portion 76 may be connected to the first leg 84, the second leg 86,
and/or the cross-member 88. In the example shown in the Figures,
the non-inflatable portion 76 is connected to the first leg 84, the
second leg 86, and the cross-member 88.
[0058] The non-inflatable portion 76 may be connected to the seat
bottom 14. For example, the non-inflatable portion 76 may be
adhered, fastened, etc., to the front side 18 of the seat bottom
frame 16.
[0059] The non-inflatable portion 76 may be webbing, as shown in
the Figures. As other examples, the non-inflatable portion 76 may
be roping, a solid panel, etc. As set forth above, the
non-inflatable portion 76 may be fabric.
[0060] As set forth above, the airbag assembly 62 includes the
external tether 28. The external tether 28 is external to the
inflation chamber of the airbag 24. In the example shown in the
Figures, the airbag assembly 62 includes two external tethers 28,
i.e., a first external tether and a second external tether. The
airbag assembly 62 may include any suitable number of external
tethers 28, i.e., one or more. In the example shown in the Figures,
the external tethers 28 are identical and common numerals are used
to identify common features. In the example shown in the Figures,
the external tethers 28 are spaced from each other, specifically in
the cross-seat direction. The external tether 28 may be fabric,
rope, wire, etc.
[0061] As set forth above, the external tethers 28 support the
airbag 24 and the occupant in the event the occupant moves onto the
airbag 24. The external tethers 28 extend from the seat 108 to the
airbag 24. Specifically, the external tethers 28 extend from the
seat back to the airbag 24. The external tethers 28 may extend from
the bolsters 54, respectively, to the airbag 24. In the example
shown in the Figures, the external tethers 28 extend from the upper
portion 46 of the seatback 12 to the distal end 70 of the airbag 24
when the airbag 24 is in the inflated position 26.
[0062] The external tether 28 is connected to the airbag 24, e.g.,
to the distal end 70 of the airbag 24. Specifically, the external
tether 28 may be stitched to the airbag 24.
[0063] The external tethers 28 are connected to the seatback 12.
Specifically, the external tethers 28 are connected to the upper
portion 46 of the seatback 12, e.g., at the bolsters 54. As set
forth above and described further below, the seatback 12 may
include the actuator 64 that retracts the external tether 28 and
the actuator 64 is at the upper portion 46 of the seatback 12,
e.g., at the bolsters 54.
[0064] In the uninflated position 26, the external tether 28 is
embedded in the seatback 12, e.g., at the bolsters 54, and the seat
bottom 14, e.g., outer regions of the seat bottom 14, before the
airbag 24 is inflated to the inflated position 26. Specifically,
the external tethers 28 may be in or below the cover of the
seatback 12 and the seat bottom 14. When the airbag 24 is inflated,
the airbag 24 pulls the external tether 28, which tears the cover
as the external tethers 28 are pulled taught.
[0065] The seatback 12 includes the actuator 64. The external
tether 28 is connected to the actuator 64 and is retractable by the
actuator 64. In the example shown in the Figures, both external
tethers 28 are connected to one actuator 64 and the actuator 64
simultaneously retracts both external tethers 28. As another
example, the seatback 12 may include separate actuator 64s for each
external tether 28.
[0066] The actuator 64 may be supported by the seatback frame 52.
Specifically, the actuator 64 may be connected, i.e., directly or
indirectly, to the seatback frame 52. In the example shown in the
Figures, the actuator 64 is connected to the cross-member 88. In
such an example, the external tethers 28 extend through the
seatback frame 52, e.g., through slots in the seatback frame
52.
[0067] The actuator 64 may be any suitable type. As an example, the
actuator 64 may be pyrotechnically activated. Specifically, the
actuator 64 may be a pyrotechnic rotary retractor. In such an
example, the actuator 64 includes a spool that is rotated by
activation of a pyrotechnic charge, in which case the external
tethers 28 are wound around the spool to retract the external
tethers 28.
[0068] The external tether 28 is retractable by the actuator 64.
Specifically, the external tether 28 may have a first length prior
to activation of the actuator 64 and a second length after
activation of the actuator 64. The second length is shorter than
the first length, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C.
[0069] In the event of a vehicle impact that urges the occupant in
the seat-forward direction, the airbag 24 is inflated to catch the
occupant. As an example, the occupant may move in the seat-forward
direction in the even the occupant is not buckled by a seat belt.
The airbag 24 catches the occupant. Specifically, the inflatable
portion 74 inflates in the seat-forward direction and pulls the
non-inflatable portion 76 in the seat-forward direction. The
inflatable portion 74 supports the non-inflatable portion 76 such
that the occupant may be caught by the non-inflatable portion 76
and retained by the inflatable portion 74. In the example shown in
the Figures, the actuator 64 retracts the external tether 28 to
pull the occupant toward the seat.
[0070] The vehicle may include at least one impact sensor 102 in
communication with the inflator and/or the actuator 64. The impact
sensor 102 is designed to detect an impact to the vehicle. The
inflator may be activated based on detected impact. The actuator 64
may be activated based on detected impact. The impact sensor 102
may be of any suitable type, for example, post-contact sensors such
as accelerometers, pressure sensors, and contact switches; and
pre-impact sensor 102s such as radar, LIDAR, and vision-sensing
systems. The vision systems may include one or more cameras, CCD
image sensors, CMOS image sensors, etc. The impact sensor 102 may
be located at numerous points in or on the vehicle. The vehicle may
include a computer 106 and a communications network 100. In the
event of an impact, the impact sensor 102 may detect the impact and
transmit a signal through the communications network 100 to the
computer.
[0071] With reference to FIG. 6, the vehicle may include a control
system 98 including the communications network 100 and the
computer, e.g., an airbag control module. The communications
network 100 may be a controller area network (CAN) bus, ethernet,
wi-fi, local interconnect network (LIN), and/or by any other wired
or wireless communications network. The computer may be in
communication with the impact sensor 102 and the inflator via the
communications network 100.
[0072] The computer may be a microprocessor-based controller. The
computer may include a processor, memory, etc. The memory of the
computer may store instructions executable by the processor as well
as data and/or databases. The computer is programmed to perform the
method shown in FIG. 7, i.e., the memory stores instructions
executable by the processor to perform the elements of the method
shown in FIG. 7.
[0073] The computer may be programmed to determine an impact to the
vehicle, as shown in 702. For example, the computer may determine
that a vehicle impact has occurred based on information received
from the impact sensor 102 via the communications network 100.
[0074] The computer is programmed to initiate inflation of the
airbag 24, as shown in 704, and to actuate the actuator 64, as
shown in 706, after initiation of inflation of the airbag 24.
Accordingly, the activation of the actuator 64 pulls the airbag 24
toward the occupant seating area 50 to pull the occupant toward the
occupant seating area 50.
[0075] Computing devices, such as the computer, generally include
computer-executable instructions, where the instructions may be
executable by one or more computing devices such as those listed
above. Computer executable instructions may be compiled or
interpreted from computer programs created using a variety of
programming languages and/or technologies, including, without
limitation, and either alone or in combination, Java.TM., C, C++,
Matlab, Simulink, Stateflow, Visual Basic, Java Script, Perl, HTML,
etc. Some of these applications may be compiled and executed on a
virtual machine, such as the Java Virtual Machine, the Dalvik
virtual machine, or the like. In general, a processor (e.g., a
microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from a memory, a
computer readable medium, etc., and executes these instructions,
thereby performing one or more processes, including one or more of
the processes described herein. Such instructions and other data
may be stored and transmitted using a variety of computer readable
media. A file in a computing device is generally a collection of
data stored on a computer readable medium, such as a storage
medium, a random-access memory, etc.
[0076] A computer-readable medium (also referred to as a
processor-readable medium) includes any non-transitory (e.g.,
tangible) medium that participates in providing data (e.g.,
instructions) that may be read by the computer 106 (e.g., by a
processor of the computer 106). Such a medium may take many forms,
including, but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile
media. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical or
magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media may
include, for example, dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), which
typically constitutes a main memory. Such instructions may be
transmitted by one or more transmission media, including coaxial
cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that
comprise a system bus coupled to a processor of an engine control
unit (ECU). Common forms of computer-readable media include, for
example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape,
any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium,
punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of
holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory
chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which the computer 106
can read.
[0077] In some examples, system elements may be implemented as
computer-readable instructions (e.g., software) on one or more
computing devices (e.g., servers, personal computers, computing
modules, etc.), stored on computer readable media associated
therewith (e.g., disks, memories, etc.). A computer program product
may comprise such instructions stored on computer readable media
for carrying out the functions described herein.
[0078] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner,
and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used
is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present
disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the
disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described.
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