Roof mounted front airbag with display protection

Abstract

An apparatus for assisting in protecting an occupant on a seat in a vehicle including an instrument panel and a display screen on the instrument panel includes an airbag configured to be mounted to and deployable downward from a roof of the vehicle. The safety air bag has a storage state, and in the storage state, the safety air bag is shrunken and hidden behind a vehicle roof lining. The airbag has an inflated and deployed condition in which the first portion is configured to extend along a portion of the windshield, the second portion is configured to extend rearward from the first portion toward the occupant, and the third portion is configured to extend downward from the second portion and positioned between the occupant and the display screen. The deployment tether is configured to initially delay deployment of the second portion of the airbag upon deployment of the third portion, the deployment tether being configured to rupture after the initial delay such that the second portion can be fully inflated and deployed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicle safety systems. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for assisting in protecting vehicle occupants during an event such as a vehicle collision. The apparatus includes a front airbag configured to protect a front seat occupant from impact with the vehicle dashboard. Background Art

[0002] Vehicle instrumentation and control systems are at the core of the driving experience. This technology initially consisted of simple gauges and mechanical controls (such as buttons, knobs, switches, levers, etc.), and now utilizes electronic interactive touchscreen displays that are dynamic and configurable according to user preferences. These interactive displays can control traditional features such as climate control, navigation, and entertainment systems, as well as some traditionally mechanically / manually controlled components such as shifters, parking brake actuators, window controls, door lock controls, mirror controls, etc. With the addition of internet connectivity, these systems have evolved to the point where these interactive displays play a dominant role in vehicle operation. As a result, the displays have become physically larger, more numerous, and more prominently located so that all vehicle occupants can access their features.

[0003] In addition, the automotive industry is moving towards autonomous driving features, and fully autonomous, i.e., "driverless", vehicles are on the horizon. These types of vehicles are not limited to the passenger cabin configurations necessary for vehicles operated by a driver. As a result, the cockpit seating is highly configurable, as are the size, location, and position of the displays.

[0004] As a result of this evolution, interactive displays have become prominent features in vehicles, not only for vehicle drivers / operators but also for passengers who routinely access some of these controls. Since interactive displays are becoming the information and control center of the vehicle, their size and location in the vehicle have become more prominent. In some vehicles, large screens, such as 17-inch screens, 21-inch screens, or larger screens (diagonal measurement), are mounted in the center of the dashboard. While these large rectangular screens are typically positioned in a portrait orientation (i.e., the long dimension along the vertical direction), some vehicles are moving towards a landscape orientation (i.e., the long dimension along the horizontal direction). With this evolution, large dashboard-mounted displays on the vehicle passenger side are not far off.

[0005] The implementation of large, dash-mounted interactive displays poses new challenges for vehicle safety systems. Since the displays are interactive, they need to be accessible to vehicle occupants. A centrally mounted screen needs to be accessible to both the driver and the passenger, while a passenger-side mounted screen needs to be accessible to the passenger. Additionally, since display controls can eliminate the need for center console controls, the center console can be eliminated, presenting the possibility of a front center seat occupant that the vehicle safety system must account for.

[0006] Furthermore, since the displays rely on being touched and viewed by passengers in the cockpit space, their position in the vehicle is important. Thus, the displays can be positioned in a rearward position of the dashboard, closer to the occupants, to meet the accessibility requirements. The displays can also be positioned such that they extend vertically above the upper surface of the dashboard. Therefore, the vehicle safety system must account for the existence of these structural possibilities. Summary of the Invention

[0007] An apparatus for assisting in protecting an occupant on a seat in a vehicle including a dashboard and a display on the dashboard, the apparatus including an airbag configured to be mounted to a vehicle roof and deployable downwardly from the vehicle roof. The airbag has a stored state in which the airbag is deflated and hidden behind a vehicle roof lining. The airbag has an inflated and deployed state in which a first portion is configured to extend along a portion of a windshield, a second portion is configured to extend rearwardly from the first portion toward the occupant, and a third portion is configured to extend downwardly from the second portion and be positioned between the occupant and the display. The apparatus further includes a deployment tether configured to initially delay deployment of the second portion of the airbag when the third portion is deployed, the deployment tether configured to rupture after the initial delay such that the second portion can fully inflate and deploy.

[0008] According to one aspect, the airbag can have a length and first and second opposed end portions spaced along the length. The first, second, and third portions of the airbag can extend along the length of the airbag and can be defined by bends in the airbag.

[0009] According to another aspect, the first portion can be configured to deploy downwardly and forwardly in the vehicle into a space behind the display. The second portion can be configured to deploy rearwardly above the dashboard and the display. The third portion can be configured to deploy downwardly along the occupant-facing surface of the dashboard and the display.

[0010] According to another aspect, the airbag can have a generally uniform thickness along the length between the first end portion and the second end portion.

[0011] According to another aspect, the airbag may further include internal tethers that interconnect overlapping sheets of the airbag to control the thickness of the airbag and define an inflatable chamber within the inflatable volume.

[0012] According to another aspect, the airbag may include shaping tethers that interconnect the outer surfaces of the airbag to restrict movement of a first portion and a second portion relative to each other when the airbag deploys, and the formed bend defines a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion of the airbag.

[0013] According to another aspect, each shaping tether may have a length configured to be shorter than the distance between points on the outer surface of the airbag to which it is connected.

[0014] According to another aspect, the shaping tether may include a first shaping tether that connects to a first portion and a second portion of the airbag on a front sheet of the airbag. The first shaping tether may have a length shorter than the distance between points on the front sheet to which it is connected. The shaping tether may further include a second shaping tether that connects to a second portion and a third portion of the airbag on a rear sheet of the airbag. The second shaping tether may have a length shorter than the distance between points on the front sheet to which it is connected.

[0015] According to another aspect, the airbag may be configured to present an overall rectangular shape with a uniform thickness when inflated without being restricted by the shaping tethers. The shaping tethers may be configured to form bends that shape the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of the airbag.

[0016] According to another aspect, the airbag may include at least one shaping tether having opposite ends connected to the outer surface of the airbag at spaced-apart locations on the outer surface. The length of the tether may be shorter than the distance between the spaced-apart locations measured along the outer surface. The tether may be configured to restrict movement of the spaced-apart locations when the airbag deploys, such that a bend is formed in the airbag.

[0017] According to another aspect, the deployment tether may be connected to the front surface of the airbag.

[0018] According to another aspect, the deployment tether may have a first end connected to the front surface of the airbag at or near an upper end portion of the airbag, and an opposite second end connected to the front surface of the airbag at or near a location at a bend between a second portion and a third portion of the airbag.

[0019] According to another aspect, the deployment tether can be a releasable connection for releasing the second portion after a delay. The releasable connection can be a tear seam, a tear stitch, or an actuatable release mechanism.

[0020] According to another aspect, the display screen can have an upper portion that extends vertically above the upper surface of the instrument panel. The delay can be configured to allow the third portion to pass over the upper portion of the display screen.

[0021] According to another aspect, the display screen can be positioned at a rearward position on the occupant-facing surface of the instrument panel.

[0022] According to another aspect, the third portion can be configured to extend below the lower extension of the display screen and cover the occupant-facing surface of the instrument panel.

[0023] According to another aspect, an airbag module can include: a device that includes an airbag and a deployment tether; an inflator for inflating the airbag; and a housing for storing the airbag in a stored state.

[0024] According to another aspect, the housing can be configured to be mounted to the vehicle roof along the front edge of the roof.

[0025] According to another aspect, the airbag can be configured to deploy into the space above the instrument panel in a generally downward and forward direction through an opening at least partially defined by the roof and the headliner.

[0026] According to another aspect, the airbag can be configured to cover the instrument panel in front of at least one of the driver-side seating position, the passenger-side seating position, and the center seating position in the vehicle.

[0027] According to another aspect, a vehicle safety system can include an airbag module and a controller configured to actuate the inflator in response to detecting the occurrence of an event for which occupant protection is desired. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The foregoing and other features will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in the field to which this disclosure pertains after considering the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle including a vehicle safety system configured to account for an instrument panel-mounted display screen, according to an example configuration.

[0030] Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating an example configuration of an instrument panel of a vehicle, which includes a steering wheel and a display screen, to which a vehicle safety system according to Figure 1 an example configuration of the vehicle can be implemented with respect to the steering wheel and the display screen.

[0031] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an airbag module that is part of a safety system configured according to an example configuration Figure 1 of a vehicle.

[0032] Figures 4A to 4D is a schematic side view illustrating the operation of a vehicle safety system configured according to an example configuration Figure 1 of a vehicle.

[0033] Figures 5A to 5C is a schematic side view illustrating an example manner in which an airbag of a vehicle safety system can be set in a deflated and stored state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figure 1 Illustrated is a vehicle 10 that includes a vehicle safety system 60 configured to help protect an occupant 14 of a vehicle seat 12 in a passenger compartment 16 of the vehicle. In Figure 1 the example shown, the occupant 14 is a forward-facing front-row occupant who is seated facing a dashboard 20 on which a display screen 50 is mounted. Although the configuration of the safety system 60 illustrated herein is discussed with reference to being implemented to help protect an occupant of a center or passenger-side first-row vehicle seat, the system can be associated with any seating position in the vehicle 10. Accordingly, the safety system 60 can be configured to help protect an occupant of a driver-side seat, a passenger-side seat, or a center seat, and can be configured to help protect an occupant of any row, i.e., the first row, the second row, the third row, etc. With this in mind, the vehicle 10 can be configured such that each row of seats 12 accommodates any number of occupants, i.e., one or more, and the safety system 60 can be configured to help an occupant at any one of these seating positions, provided that the seating position presents a vehicle structure and / or architecture that facilitates its operation as described herein.

[0035] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 the vehicle 10 includes a dashboard 20 that extends across the width of the vehicle in front of the first-row seats 12 and any occupants 14 of those seats. A steering wheel 22 is positioned on the driver side of the vehicle 10 and faces the occupant 14 of the driver-side seat 12. The steering wheel 22 can accommodate a conventional steering-wheel-mounted driver airbag, which is generally shown in dashed lines 24. The dashboard 20 conventionally holds instruments such as a gauge cluster and controls such as knobs, switches, etc. that allow a driver and / or passenger to control the vehicle 10 and its auxiliary features. However, for Figure 1 and Figure 2For a vehicle, the instrument panel 20 includes an interactive display screen 50, which may alternatively be referred to herein as a "display screen", "display", or "screen", and which can replace many or all of the traditional instrument panel-mounted operator controls. This does not mean that the display screen 50 replaces all instruments and controls. The display screen 50 can be used in any combination as a supplement to traditional instruments and controls.

[0036] The display screen 50 can be used to access and control vehicle systems such as those listed below. This list is by way of example and is not exhaustive:

[0037] · Vehicle entertainment system:

[0038] - Radio stations

[0039] - Satellite radio

[0040] - Internet radio

[0041] - Streaming services such as Apple Music ® , Android Auto ® , Spotify ® , Amazon Music ® , podcasts, etc.

[0042] - Streaming video

[0043] - Internet access

[0044] · Climate control system:

[0045] - Cabin heating and air conditioning

[0046] - Heated / cooled seats

[0047] - Heated steering wheel

[0048] · Vehicle navigation system

[0049] · Driving modes:

[0050] - Economy, sport, off-road, snow, rain, etc.

[0051] - Towing / trailer mode

[0052] - Cruise control

[0053] - Adaptive cruise

[0054] - Autonomous mode

[0055] · Communication system:

[0056] - Phone function

[0057] - Emergency roadside assistance

[0058] · Auxiliary control:

[0059] - Windows / sunroof / moonroof

[0060] - Exterior lights

[0061] - Interior lights

[0062] - Wiper control / settings

[0063] - Seat positioning and memory

[0064] - Door locks / automatic locking settings

[0065] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, there are two displays 50: one display is centrally mounted on the instrument panel 20, and the other display is mounted on the right side or the passenger side of the instrument panel. The centrally mounted display 50 can be configured to be accessible by an occupant 14 in any seating position in the front row, i.e., the driver's side seat, the passenger's side seat, or the center seat. The passenger side-mounted display 50 can be configured to be accessible by an occupant in the center seat or the passenger seat. The passenger side display 50 can be optional, i.e., for example, the vehicle 10 can include only the central display 50. Since the display 50 can largely take over the operator control interface function of the conventional controls located on the instrument panel, the screen can be very large, i.e., up to 21 inches or more in diagonal.

[0066] Figure 1 A side view of the vehicle 10 as viewed from the passenger side of the vehicle is shown, with the occupant 14 seated. Thus, Figure 1 the side view can be that of an occupant 14 sitting on the passenger side or an occupant sitting in the center. As Figure 1 shown, the display 50 is positioned away from the instrument panel 20, extends rearwardly towards the occupant 14 and extends upwardly above the upper surface 26 of the instrument panel. Alternative positions of the display 50 are also shown in dashed lines - one is a position where the display extends higher in the vehicle (reference numeral 50'), and the other is a position where the display is positioned closer to the occupant (reference numeral 50").

[0067] Within the confines of the vehicle cabin 16, the configuration of the instrument panel 20 and the display screen 50, in combination with the positioning of the seat 12 and the size of the occupant 14, helps to define the space or area within which vehicle safety system components, such as airbags, can be deployed. Since the display screen 50 is so large and prominently positioned within the cabin 16, these factors need to be considered in addressing vehicle safety. Accordingly, the vehicle safety system 60 includes an airbag module 62 that is mounted at the front edge portion 40 of the vehicle roof 30 adjacent to the windshield 32, which positions the airbag module above the instrument panel 20 and the display screen(s) 50 and is configured to account for their presence.

[0068] The airbag module is illustrated in more detail in Figure 3 . Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 3 , the airbag module 62 includes a housing 64 that supports an inflator 70 and a frontal airbag 80, which is shown in an inflated and deployed state. The safety system 60 also includes a controller 64 ( Figure 1 ), such as an airbag controller, that is configured to actuate the inflator 70 via wiring 66 in response to the occurrence of an event indicative of a desired occupant protection, such as a vehicle collision, to inflate and deploy the airbag 80.

[0069] As shown, the airbag 80 can be a shaped cushion airbag, where the cushion 78 has a uniform shape, such as a rectangular pad-like shape, which is formed by tethers that interconnect certain portions and limit their movement relative to each other. Referring to Figure 1 , the airbag 80 can include a generally rectangular cushion 78 that has a generally uniform thickness along its length. The rectangular airbag cushion 78 can have first bends 82 and second bends 84 that define inflatable cushion portions 86, 88, 90, which define the overall shape of the airbag 80. The bends 82, 84 are formed due to a first shaping tether 92 and a second shaping tether 94. The first shaping tether 92 connects a first cushion portion 86 and a second cushion portion 88. The second shaping tether 94 connects the second cushion portion 88 and a third cushion portion 90.

[0070] The airbag 80 has a first sheet or front sheet 96 presented towards the occupant 14 and a second sheet or rear sheet 98 facing away from the occupant towards the instrument panel 20. The first formed tether 92 is connected to the front sheet 96 and has a length shorter than the distance between the points on the front sheet to which it is connected. The second formed tether 94 is connected to the rear sheet 98 and has a length shorter than the distance between the points on the rear sheet to which it is connected. Taking into account the length differences between the tethers 90, 92 and their connection portions to the cushion 78, the airbag 80 is folded in the stored state. When the airbag 80 inflates and begins to deploy, its tendency to assume the rectangular, uniform thickness shape of the cushion 78 is restricted by the formed tethers 92, 94, and bends 82, 84 are formed. It can thus be appreciated that a simple airbag design utilizing a rectangular inflatable cushion can be formed to conform to a desired shape and orientation.

[0071] The presence of the display screen 50 presents a challenge in providing frontal occupant protection via the airbag 80. Typically, a passenger frontal airbag is stored in the upper portion of the instrument panel 20 and deploys from the upper portion of the instrument panel at or near the upper surface 26. However, since the display screen 50 extends rearwardly above the upper surface 26 and towards the occupant 14, deploying the airbag from a conventional location in the upper portion of the instrument panel 20 becomes problematic. This is because the deploying airbag may engage the display screen 50, which can lead to problems such as damage to the airbag and / or displacement of the display screen in the vehicle cabin 16, thereby creating a likelihood of striking the occupant 14. This likelihood is exacerbated in configurations where the display screen 50 is positioned higher above the instrument panel 20 (e.g., screen 50’) or closer to the occupant 14 (e.g., screen 50”).

[0072] Advantageously, the vehicle safety system 60 is configured to avoid these problems. To this end, the airbag module 62 is mounted along the front edge portion 40 of the roof 30. As Figure 3 shown, the airbag module 62 is hidden behind the headliner 42 of the roof 30 and includes a housing 64 that houses the inflator 70 and the airbag 80. Figure 3 The configuration shown is merely exemplary. It should be appreciated that the configuration of the airbag module 62 (and in particular the housing 64) can depend on the configuration of the particular vehicle 10 to which it is mounted. Suffice it to say that in any configuration, the airbag module 62 can be configured such that the airbag 80 is deployed through an opening 44 between the roof 30 and the headliner 42 into the passenger cabin 16, towards the space 46 defined by the windshield 32 and the upper surface 26 of the instrument panel 20 and rearwardly between the seated occupant 14 and the instrument panel / display screen.

[0073] The manner in which the airbag module 62 and the surrounding vehicle structure, i.e., the roof lining 42, the trim (not shown), etc. are configured to allow airbag deployment is not important as long as the airbag 80 is allowed to inflate and deploy in the manner described herein. For example, the roof lining 42 can be configured to be rupturable, e.g., along a predefined tear seam, to allow airbag deployment. As another example, the roof lining 42 can be configured to release from a structure such as the trim to create an opening along the front edge of the roof lining through which the airbag 80 can deploy. For example, this can be the manner of forming Figure 3 the opening 44 shown in

[0074] The airbag 80 is configured to be positioned between the occupant 14 and the instrument panel 20 during inflation and deployment to cushion and absorb the occupant impact. This configuration takes into account not only the instrument panel 20 but also any other structure mounted on or otherwise included in the instrument panel, including the display screen 50. As Figure 1 shown, in the inflated and deployed state, the airbag 80 is configured to be spaced apart from the instrument panel 20 and conform to the general contour of the instrument panel while avoiding the display screen 50. The inflated and deployed airbag 80 extends rearwardly in the vehicle 10 beyond the instrument panel 20 towards the occupant 14 and downwardly into the space between the occupant and the instrument panel / display screen 50.

[0075] In Figure 1 the illustrated example configuration, a first portion 86 of the airbag 80 can extend along and be positioned against the windshield 32, which supports the airbag during impact of the occupant with the airbag. The windshield 32 forms a reaction surface against which the airbag 80 is supported, which allows the airbag to absorb the impact force applied by the occupant and cushion the impacting occupant by providing a "ride-down" effect.

[0076] A first bend 82 causes a second portion 88 to extend away from the windshield 32 above the instrument panel 20 and the display screen 50. A second bend 84 causes a third portion 90 to extend downwardly towards the floor 34 in front of the occupant 14 and the base of the seat 12. The bend angles imposed by the first formed tether 92 and the second formed tether 94 create the shape of the airbag 50 that conforms to the space determined by the vehicle architecture while positioning the airbag to receive the occupant 14.

[0077] Figure 1The configuration of airbag 80 shown in the figures is just one example configuration that can achieve these purposes. It should be appreciated that the configuration of airbag 80 can be different, even significantly different, without affecting the novel and advantageous features of the safety system 60 described herein. For example, the configuration of airbag 80 can vary according to changes in the vehicle architecture, such as the shape of the dashboard or the positioning / range of the display screen 50.

[0078] Airbag 80 can be constructed in a variety of ways. For example, airbag 80 can be made of a fabric material such as woven nylon or polyester fabric. According to one example construction, airbag 80 can include a plurality of airbag sheets that are cut or otherwise formed into a predetermined shape and then interconnected by known methods (e.g., by stitching or ultrasonic welding). Alternatively, airbag 80 or a portion thereof can be woven into a so-called one-piece woven (OPW) construction. The OPW airbag construction involves simultaneously weaving a plurality of airbag sheets, with the various parts of the sheets interlacing to form seams. Thus, an OPW airbag can be made of a single-piece woven material that defines the inflatable volume of the airbag.

[0079] For the generally rectangular configuration of airbag 80 illustrated in the figures, the airbag can be made of individual rectangular sheets connected around its perimeter or in an OPW construction in which the individual sheets are woven simultaneously. In either construction, airbag 80 can include internal connections, such as tethers, that connect the individual sheets and form inflatable chambers, such as longitudinally extending parallel chambers. After forming the cushion, the shaped tethers 92, 94 can be attached to the airbag from the outside.

[0080] Regardless of the construction, airbag 80 can be coated with an air-impermeable material, such as urethane, or laminated with an air-impermeable film. Thus, airbag 80 can have a substantially airtight construction. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative materials (such as polyester yarn) and alternative coatings (such as silicone) can also be used to construct airbag 80.

[0081] In the inflated and deployed state of airbag 80, the rear sheet 98 conforms to the contour of the windshield 32 up to the first bend 82. At the first bend 82, the rear sheet 98 then extends above and along the upper surface 26 of the dashboard 20, passing over and beyond the display screen 50 to the second bend 84. At the second bend 84, the rear sheet 98 conforms to the front surface 28 of the dashboard 20 and is spaced from the front surface of the dashboard, downward to slightly above the seat 12, in the knee area of the occupant. This positions the second part 90 and the third part 92 of the airbag 50 between the occupant 14 and the dashboard 20 and the display screen 50.

[0082] During inflation, the airbag 80 deploys from the roof 30 into the space 46 above the instrument panel 20 and adjacent to the windshield 32. The airbag 80 is stored in the front edge 40 of the roof 30 and deploys from this position into the space 46 above the instrument panel 20. Thus, in the initial stage of deployment, there are forward and downward components to the direction of airbag inflation and deployment. Normally, in the absence of the display 50, or in a vehicle configuration where the display is housed and embedded within the instrument panel 20, the airbag 80 can continue to inflate and deploy rearward from the space 46 and along the contour of the instrument panel to its fully inflated and deployed position without obstruction. However, the presence of the display 50 complicates matters because it can extend above the instrument panel (as shown in Figure 1 ) and presents an obstacle that may impede the airbag 80 when the airbag deploys in a conventional manner. The airbag 80 may enter the space 52 formed between the rear of the display 50, the screen, and the instrument panel 20 and become snagged or otherwise impeded. As a result, airbag deployment may be inhibited and / or the display 50 may be damaged. This situation is exacerbated in cases where the display is particularly large (see Figure 2 ) and / or differently positioned (see the displays 50’ and 50” in Figure 1 ).

[0083] To account for the presence of the display 50 and facilitate rapid and unobstructed inflation and deployment of the airbag 80 without interference from the display 50, the airbag module includes a deployment tether 100 that helps control the manner in which the airbag 80 inflates and deploys. This is shown in Figures 4A to 4D . Referring to Figure 4A , the airbag 80 is stored in a zigzag fold behind the roof lining 42 such that the initial deployment direction of the airbag is along the windshield 32 in the axial direction, as generally indicated by the arrow A in Figure 4A .

[0084] Because inflation fluid is directed from the inflator 70 to the first section 86, the first section inflates and deploys to a position adjacent to the windshield 32, thereby carrying away the second section 88 and the third section 90. The second section 88 pivots downward from the first bend 82, as indicated by the arrow B in Figure 4B . The third section 90 pivots downward from the second bend 84, as indicated by the arrow C in Figure 4C . When the airbag 80 reaches the state shown in Figure 4C , the deployment tether 100 is tensioned, which creates a delay in the movement of the second section 88 in the direction of arrow B. This delay allows the third section 90 to move / pivot in the direction of arrow C, which helps ensure that the third section clears the display 50.

[0085] The deployment tether 100 is configured to rupture at a point during deployment where the delay in movement is sufficient to ensure that the airbag 80 will clear the display 50. After the delay, the deployment tether 100 ruptures, which allows the second portion 88 and the third portion 90 to move to their respective deployment states. This is shown in Figure 4D . In this state, the shaped tethers 92, 94 are tensioned and control the bends 82, 84 and the shape / position of the second portion 88 and the third portion 90 of the airbag 80.

[0086] The release element is responsible for controlling the limitation / inhibition of airbag deployment by determining when to release the tether 100. The release element can be implemented in different ways. For example, the release element can be a tear seam that connects the deployment tether 100 to the airbag 80. The tear seam can be a seam 102 and / or 104 that connects opposite ends of the tether 100 to the airbag 80 (see Figure 3 ). The tear seam can be configured to rupture and release the tether 100 at a predetermined stage of deployment, thereby releasing the airbag 80. As another example, the release element can be a tear seam 106 along which the tether 100 itself ruptures. As another example, the release element can be an actuatable device, such as an actuatable fastener, that is operatively connected to a controller, such as an airbag controller, that is configured to release the tether at a predetermined point (e.g., after a time delay after actuating the inflator 70). In this example, the actuatable device 106 can be fixed to the airbag module 62, such as the housing 64, for example.

[0087] The point at which the deployment tether 100 releases the second portion 92 is configured to occur at a stage where the airbag inflation is sufficient to ensure that the second portion 92 and the third portion 94 clear the display 50 and the space 52 behind the display. Clearing this structure / space helps ensure that the second portion 92 and the third portion 94 can deploy rearwardly in the vehicle, i.e., efficiently towards the occupant 14, without being at least significantly inhibited by engaging the display or deploying into the space behind the display. This allows the airbag 80 to reach Figure 4D (also see Figure 1 ) the fully inflated and deployed state in a repeatable and reliable manner.

[0088] The delay implemented by the tether 100 allows the third portion 90 to begin to develop, i.e., inflate and deploy, before the second portion 88. The early development of the third portion 90, even if only briefly, allows it to avoid interaction with the display 50 and the space 52 behind the display, which could inhibit its deployment and / or cause the screen to detach or shatter.

[0089] The airbag 80 can be set in a deflated and stored state in a variety of ways, one of which is shown inFigures 5A to 5C Shown in the figure. Figure 5A It shows the airbag 80 with the tethers 92, 94 and 100 in place before being set to the deflated and stored state. As Figure 5B shown, the first portion 86, the second portion 88 and the third portion 90 are flattened relative to each other (see Figure 5A arrow A in), so that the airbag 80 can be wound / folded and packaged for installation. As Figure 5B generally indicated by arrow B in, the airbag 80 can be folded in a back-and-forth manner called a zigzag fold herein. Figure 5C The zigzag-folded airbag 80 shown is ready to be installed in a vehicle.

[0090] The configuration of the airbag 80 illustrated in the figure is an example embodiment, where the tether 100 is used to inhibit the initial deployment of the roof-mounted front airbag to ensure that the airbag clears the display panel and any other structures that may protrude from the dashboard or other structures positioned in front of the seated occupant. It should be appreciated that different airbag and / or tether configurations than those disclosed herein can be utilized to achieve the functionality provided by the tether without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0091] For example, the length of the tether 100 can be increased or decreased to increase or decrease, respectively, the extent to which the second portion 88 is allowed to deploy / move before the tether becomes taut. As another example, the strength of the release element can be increased or decreased to increase or decrease, respectively, the duration of the deployment inhibition exerted by the tether 100 on the second portion 88. As another example, different winding / folding methods can be used to help control the deployment timing, since for example a zigzag fold can be made to deploy faster than a winding.

[0092] Additionally, the configuration of the airbag 80 itself - the shape, thickness, profile, etc. of the cushion can be adjusted to account for vehicle configurations and variations in different vehicle architectures. The airbag 80 can include tether structures for controlling the shape of the airbag, for defining the inflatable chambers of the airbag, and for controlling the inflation characteristics of the airbag. The tethers 92, 94 can be adjusted in length and / or positioning to further control the deflated configuration of the airbag 80. Tethers can be added or removed.

[0093] Based on the above description of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize improvements, variations, and modifications of the present invention. Such improvements, changes, and modifications within the scope of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for assisting in protecting an occupant of a seat in a vehicle including a dashboard and a display screen on the dashboard, the apparatus comprising: an airbag configured to be mounted to a roof of the vehicle and deployable downwardly from the roof of the vehicle, the airbag having a stored state and an inflated and deployed state, in the stored state, the airbag is deflated and hidden behind a roof lining of the vehicle, in the inflated and deployed state, a first portion is configured to extend along a portion of a windshield, a second portion is configured to extend rearwardly from the first portion toward the occupant, and a third portion is configured to extend downwardly from the second portion and be positioned between the occupant and the display screen; and a deployment tether configured to initially delay deployment of the second portion of the airbag when the third portion deploys, the deployment tether configured to rupture after the initial delay such that the second portion can fully inflate and deploy.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The airbag has a length and has a first end portion and an opposite second end portion spaced apart along the length, wherein the first portion, second portion, and third portion of the airbag extend along the length of the airbag and are defined by bends in the airbag.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The first portion is configured to deploy in the vehicle from the roof in a downward and forward direction into a space behind the display screen, wherein the second portion is configured to deploy rearwardly above the dashboard and the display screen, and the third portion is configured to deploy downwardly along a surface of the dashboard and the display screen facing the occupant.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein The airbag has a generally uniform thickness along the length between the first end portion and the second end portion.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The airbag further includes internal tethers that interconnect overlapping sheets of the airbag to control the thickness of the airbag and define an inflatable chamber within the inflatable volume.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein The airbag includes shaping tethers that interconnect an outer surface of the airbag to limit movement of the first portion and the second portion relative to each other when the airbag deploys, which forms bends that define the first portion, second portion, and third portion of the airbag.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein, Each shaping tether has a length configured to be shorter than a distance between points on the outer surface of the airbag to which it is connected.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, The shaping tethers include: a first shaping tether that connects to the first portion and the second portion of the airbag on a front sheet of the airbag, the first shaping tether having a length shorter than a distance between points on the front sheet to which it is connected; and a second shaping tether that connects to the second portion and the third portion of the airbag on a rear sheet of the airbag, the second shaping tether having a length shorter than a distance between points on the front sheet to which it is connected.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein, The airbag is configured to assume a generally rectangular shape with a uniform thickness when inflated without being restricted by the shaping tether, and wherein the shaping tether is configured to form a bend that shapes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion of the airbag.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The airbag includes at least one shaping tether having opposite ends connected to the outer surface of the airbag at spaced-apart locations on the outer surface, wherein the length of the tether is shorter than the distance between the spaced-apart locations measured along the outer surface, and the tether is configured to restrict movement of the spaced-apart locations when the airbag deploys, such that a bend is formed in the airbag.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein, The deployment tether is connected to the front surface of the airbag.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The deployment tether has a first end connected to the front surface of the airbag at or near an upper end portion of the airbag, and an opposite second end connected to the front surface of the airbag at a location at or near a bend between a second portion and a third portion of the airbag.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The deployment tether includes a releasable connection for releasing the second portion after a delay, the releasable connection including one of a tear seam, a stitch seam, and an actuatable release mechanism.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The display screen has an upper portion extending vertically above an upper surface of the instrument panel, and wherein the delay is configured to allow the third portion to pass over the upper portion of the display screen.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein, The display screen is positioned rearward of a surface of the instrument panel facing the occupant.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein, The third portion is configured to extend below a lower extension of the display screen and cover a surface of the instrument panel facing the occupant.

17. An airbag module comprising the apparatus according to claim 1, an inflator for inflating the airbag, and a housing for storing the airbag in a stored state.

18. The airbag module according to claim 17, wherein, The housing is configured to be mounted to a vehicle roof along a front edge of the vehicle roof.

19. The airbag module according to claim 17, wherein, The airbag is configured to deploy into a space above the instrument panel in a generally downward and forward direction through an opening at least partially defined by the vehicle roof and a roof lining.

20. The airbag module according to claim 17, wherein, The airbag is configured to cover the instrument panel in front of at least one of a driver-side seating position, a passenger-side seating position, and a center seating position in the vehicle.

21. A vehicle safety system comprising the airbag module according to claim 17 and a controller for actuating the inflator in response to detection of an event indicative of a desired occupant protection.

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