Vehicle airbag system

Abstract

An airbag system includes a first seat including a seat bottom. The airbag system includes an instrument panel. The airbag system includes a first airbag supported by the seat bottom and inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag system includes a pair of front airbags supported by the instrument panel and inflatable to an inflated position. The first airbag in the inflated position extends from the first seat to between the pair of front airbags in the inflated position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicles, and in particular to a vehicle safety airbag system. Background Art

[0002] A vehicle may include various airbags that may be deployed during a vehicle collision to absorb energy from a vehicle occupant during the collision. The airbag may be a component of an airbag assembly that includes a housing that supports the airbag and an inflator in communication with the airbag for inflating the airbag from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The airbag assembly may be supported on a steering wheel of the vehicle, an instrument panel of the vehicle, etc. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to the present invention, there is provided an airbag system, comprising:

[0004] A first seat including a seat bottom;

[0005] Dashboard;

[0006] a first air bag supported by the seat bottom and inflatable to an inflated position; and

[0007] a pair of front air bags supported by the instrument panel and inflatable to an inflated position; and

[0008] A first airbag in the inflated position extends from the first seat between a pair of front airbags in the inflated position.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the instrument panel includes a steering wheel and one of the pair of front airbags is supported by the steering wheel.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the seat bottom includes a side, a front, and a curved portion extending from the side toward the front, and the first airbag extends along the side and is curved along the curved portion.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first airbag in the inflated position is bent between the instrument panel and one of the pair of front airbags.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first airbag comprises a first end on a side of the seat bottom and a second end on a front portion of the seat bottom.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the airbag system further includes a drawstring connected to the second end.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first airbag defines an inflation chamber, and the drawstring is disposed in the inflation chamber.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first airbag in the inflated position comprises a curved portion at the second end, the curved portion having an outer corner at the second end, and the drawstring is connected to the outer corner.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first airbag defines an inflation chamber, and the drawstring is disposed outside the inflation chamber.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first airbag in the inflated position comprises a curved portion at the second end, the curved portion having an inner corner, and the drawstring is connected to the inner corner.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first airbag in the inflated position abuts at least one of the pair of front airbags in the inflated position.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the airbag system further comprises a second airbag which can be inflated to an inflated position, the seat bottom comprises a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the first airbag is supported on the first side and the second airbag is supported on the second side.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the airbag system further includes an inflator in fluid communication with the first airbag and the second airbag.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first airbag and the second airbag in the inflated position each have a distal end spaced upwardly away from the seat bottom, and wherein the distance from the seat bottom to the distal end of the first airbag is greater than the distance from the seat bottom to the distal end of the second airbag.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the airbag system further includes a computer programmed to actuate inflation of the first airbag, the computer programmed to actuate inflation of at least one of the pair of front airbags a predetermined amount of time after actuation of the first airbag.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the airbag system further includes a deflector supported by the seat bottom, the deflector being configured to deflect the first airbag upward as the first airbag is inflated.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the airbag system further comprises a hinge and a stopper, the stopper limiting the range of motion of the hinge, and the deflector is supported on the seat bottom through the hinge.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first seat comprises a seat back, and wherein the first airbag in the inflated position abuts the seat back and the instrument panel.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the airbag system further includes a second seat including a seat bottom, an airbag supported by the seat bottom of the second seat and inflatable to an inflated position, the airbag of the second seat in the inflated position extending from the second seat between a pair of front airbags in the inflated position.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, in the inflated position, the first airbag of the first seat abuts the airbag of the second seat, the first airbag of the first seat abuts one of a pair of front airbags, and the airbag of the second seat abuts the other of the pair of front airbags. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a vehicle including an airbag system, wherein an airbag of the airbag system is in an uninflated position;

[0029] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle including an airbag system, wherein the airbag is in an uninflated position;

[0030] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a vehicle including an airbag system, wherein an airbag of the airbag system is in an inflated position;

[0031] Figure 4 is a top view of a vehicle including an airbag system, wherein an airbag of the airbag system is in an inflated position;

[0032] Figure 5 It is a top view of the seat with the airbag system;

[0033] Figure 6 is a front cross-sectional view of a seat of an airbag system;

[0034] Figure 7 is a front cross-sectional view of a seat of an airbag system with an airbag of the airbag system in an inflated position;

[0035] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a seat and instrument panel with an airbag of the airbag system in an inflated position;

[0036] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a vehicle including another example embodiment of an airbag system, wherein the airbag system is in an inflated position;

[0037] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of a collision sensing system of a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The airbag system includes a first seat including a seat bottom. The airbag system includes an instrument panel. The airbag system includes a first airbag supported by the seat bottom and inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag system includes a pair of front airbags supported by the instrument panel and inflatable to an inflated position. The first airbag in the inflated position extends from the first seat to between the pair of front airbags in the inflated position.

[0039] The instrument panel may include a steering wheel and one of the pair of front airbags may be supported by the steering wheel.

[0040] The seat bottom may include a side, a front, and a curved portion extending from the side toward the front, and the first airbag extends along the side and is curved along the curved portion.

[0041] The first airbag in the inflated position may be flexed between the instrument panel and one of the pair of front airbags.

[0042] The first air bag may include a first end on a side of the seat bottom and a second end on a front portion of the seat bottom.

[0043] The airbag system may include a drawstring connected to the second end.

[0044] The first airbag may define an inflatable chamber, and the drawstring may be disposed in the inflatable chamber.

[0045] The first airbag in the inflated position may include a curved portion at the second end, the curved portion may have an outer corner at the second end, and the draw strap may be connected to the outer corner.

[0046] The first airbag may define an inflatable chamber, and the drawstring may be disposed outside the inflatable chamber.

[0047] The first airbag in the inflated position may include a curved portion at the second end, the curved portion may have an inner corner, and the draw strap may be connected to the inner corner.

[0048] The first airbag in the inflated position may be adjacent to at least one of the pair of front airbags in the inflated position.

[0049] The airbag system may include a second airbag inflatable to an inflated position, the seat bottom may include a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first airbag may be supported on the first side, and the second airbag may be supported on the second side.

[0050] The airbag system may include an inflator in fluid communication with the first airbag and the second airbag.

[0051] The first airbag and the second airbag in the inflated position may each have a distal end spaced upwardly away from the seat bottom. The distance from the seat bottom to the distal end of the first airbag may be greater than the distance from the seat bottom to the distal end of the second airbag.

[0052] The airbag system may include a computer programmed to actuate inflation of the first airbag.The computer may be programmed to actuate inflation of at least one of the pair of front airbags a predetermined amount of time after actuation of the first airbag.

[0053] The airbag system may include a deflector supported by the seat bottom, the deflector configured to deflect the first airbag upward as the first airbag inflates.

[0054] The airbag system may include a hinge and a stop that limits the range of motion of the hinge, with the deflector being supported on the seat bottom by the hinge.

[0055] The first seat may include a seat back. The first airbag in the inflated position may abut the seat back and the instrument panel.

[0056] The airbag system may include a second seat including a seat bottom, an airbag supported by the seat bottom of the second seat and inflatable to an inflated position, the airbag of the second seat in the inflated position extending from the second seat between a pair of front airbags in the inflated position.

[0057] In the inflated position, the first airbag of the first seat may abut the airbag of the second seat, the first airbag of the first seat may abut one of the pair of front airbags, and the airbag of the second seat may abut the other of the pair of front airbags.

[0058] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, an airbag system 20 in a vehicle 22 includes a first seat 24. The first seat 24 includes a seat bottom 26. The airbag system 20 includes an instrument panel 28. The airbag system 20 includes a first airbag 30 supported by the seat bottom 26 of the first seat 24. The first airbag 30 is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag system 20 includes a pair of front airbags 32. Each front airbag 32 is supported by the instrument panel 28. Each front airbag 32 is inflatable to an inflated position. The first airbag 30 in the inflated position extends from the first seat 24 to between the pair of front airbags 32 in the inflated position.

[0059] The airbag system 20 mitigates head, neck, and chest injuries in frontal offset and oblique collisions of the vehicle 22. For example, the airbag system 20 can mitigate head contact between the driver and the passenger during a rebound or rollover event of the vehicle 22. The airbag system 20 provides multi-directional protection, such as the first airbag 20 working in combination with the front airbag 32 to reduce head injury criteria (HIC), brain injury criteria (BrIC), and / or neck injury criteria.

[0060] like Figure 1-4 The vehicle 22 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 may be any passenger or commercial motor vehicle, such as a passenger car, a truck, a sport utility vehicle, a crossover vehicle, a van, a minivan, a taxi, a bus, etc. The vehicle 22 may include a passenger compartment 34 .

[0061] The vehicle 22 may include a plurality of seats (e.g., a first seat 24 and a second seat 36) located in a passenger compartment 34. As shown in the figure, the first seat 24 and the second seat 36 may be front seats. For example, the first seat 24 may be a front driver seat, and the second seat 36 may be a front passenger seat.

[0062] refer to Figure 1-9 , each seat 24, 36 may include a seat bottom 26. Each seat 24, 36 may include a seat back 38. Each seat 24, 36 may include a seat frame. The seats 24, 36 may each define a longitudinal centerline LC.

[0063] The seat frame 40 may include tubes, beams, etc. The seat frame 40 may be formed of any suitable plastic material, such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced semi-finished thermoplastic composite material (organic sheet), etc.

[0064] The seat bottom 26 includes a first side 42 and a second side 43 opposite the first side 42. The seat bottom 26 may include a front portion 44 extending between the first side 42 and the second side 43. The seat bottom 26 may include curved portions 46. One of the curved portions 46 may extend from the first side 42 to the front portion 44, and another of the curved portions 46 may extend from the second side 43 to the front portion 44.

[0065] The seat back 38 may be supported by the seat bottom 26 and may be stationary or movable relative to the seat bottom 26 .

[0066] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the seat bottom 26 and the seat back 38 may include a facing 48. The facing 48 may include a decorative layer and a cushion. The decorative layer may be formed of cloth, leather, imitation leather, or any other suitable material. The decorative layer may be sewn into the panel around the frame. The cushion may be located between the facing 48 and the frame and may be foam or any other suitable material. For example, the facing 48 may separate, tear, etc., for example, when the first airbag 30 of the first seat 24 is inflated.

[0067] like Figure 1-4 As shown in FIG. 9 , the instrument panel 28 may be disposed in the passenger compartment 34 and facing the seats 24 , 36 . The instrument panel 28 may include controls for the vehicle 22 . The instrument panel 28 may include a steering wheel 50 .

[0068] Each of the pair of front airbags 32 is supported by the instrument panel 28. Each front airbag 32 can be inflated from an uninflated position to an inflated position. One of the pair of front airbags 32 can be supported by the steering wheel 50. In other words, one front airbag 32 can be a driver airbag. The other front airbag 32 can be a passenger airbag. The front airbags 32 can be circular, rectangular, or any other shape.

[0069] Back to Figure 1-9 In addition to the first airbag 30 and the front airbag 32, the airbag system 20 may further include another first airbag 98 and second airbags 94, 100. The first airbag 98 and the second airbag 100 are supported by the second seat 36. The second airbag 94 is supported by the first seat 24.

[0070] The airbags 30, 32, 94, 98, 100 may be formed from a braided polymer or any other material. As an example, the airbags 30, 32, 94, 98, 100 may be formed from woven nylon yarns (e.g., nylon 6-6). Other examples include polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyester, etc. The braided polymer may include a coating, such as silicone, neoprene, polyurethane, etc. For example, the coating may be polyorgano siloxane.

[0071] The first airbags 30, 98 are supported by the seat bottoms 26 of their respective seats 24, 36, i.e., the first airbag 30 is supported by the seat bottom 26 of the first seat 24, and the first airbag 98 is supported by the seat bottom 26 of the second seat 36. The first airbags 30, 98 may be supported on the first side 42 of the seat bottom 26. Each first airbag 30, 98 may include a first end 52. Each first airbag 30, 98 may include a second end 54. The first end 52 is located on the first side 42 of the seat bottom 26. The second end 54 is located on the front 44 of the seat bottom 26.

[0072] The first airbag 30, 98 can be inflated to the inflated position from an uninflated position, for example. Each first airbag 30, 98 in the inflated position can include a top distal end 56. Each first airbag 30, 98 in the inflated position can include a front distal end 58 and a rear distal end 60. The front distal end 58 is spaced apart from the rear distal end 60. The top distal end 56, the front distal end 58 and the rear distal end 60 can be flat or circular. Each first airbag 30, 98 in the inflated position can include a top portion 62 and a bottom portion 64. As used herein, the top, bottom, front and rear are from the perspective of the occupant of the corresponding seat 24, 36.

[0073] The top distal end 56 is spaced upwardly away from the seat bottom 26. Figure 7 As shown for the first airbag 30 , the distal end 56 of each first airbag 30 , 98 in the inflated position is spaced a distance D1 from their respective seat bottom 26 .

[0074] Each first airbag 30, 98 may include an inner panel 66 and an outer panel 68. In the inflated position, the inner panel 66 is spaced apart from the outer panel 68. Fig. 9 30, in the inflated position, the inner panel 66 can be spaced apart from the outer panel 68 at the top portion 62 by a distance D2. In the inflated position, the inner panel 66 can be spaced apart from the outer panel 68 at the bottom portion 64 by a distance D3. The distance D2 at the top portion 62 can be greater than the distance D3 at the bottom portion 64. The inner panel 66 and the outer panel 68 can extend between the top distal end 56, the front distal end 58, and the rear distal end 58. As used herein, interior and exterior are from the perspective of an occupant of the respective seat 24, 36.

[0075] Each first airbag 30, 98 may have a curved shape. The first airbags 30, 98 may be parallel to the first side 42 of their respective seat bottom 26 at the first end 52. The first airbags 30, 98 may be curved toward the longitudinal centerline LC of their respective seat bottom 26 at the second end 54.

[0076] Each first air bag 30, 98 in the inflated position is bent at the second end 54 to the outer edge 70. The outer edge 70 may be located where the outer panel 68 meets the front distal end 58.

[0077] Each first air bag 30, 98 in the inflated position is bent at the second end 54 to an outer corner 72. The outer corner 72 may be located where the outer panel 68 meets the top distal end 56 and the front distal end 58.

[0078] Each first air bag 30, 98 in the inflated position is bent at the second end 54 to the inner edge 74. The inner edge 74 may be located where the inner panel 66 meets the front distal end 58.

[0079] Each first air bag 30, 98 in the inflated position is bent at the second end 54 to an inner corner 76. The inner corner 76 may be located where the inner panel 66 meets the top distal end 56 and the front distal end 58.

[0080] like Figure 7 As shown for the first airbag 30 in FIG. 9 , each first airbag 30 , 98 defines an inflatable chamber 78 . The inflatable chamber 78 may be located between the inner panel 66 and the outer panel 68 .

[0081] Each first airbag 30, 98 in the inflated position extends from the corresponding seat 24, 36 to between the pair of front airbags 32 in the inflated position. In the inflated position, the second end 54 can be disposed between the pair of front airbags 32 in the inflated position. The front distal end 58 can be disposed between the pair of front airbags 32 in the inflated position.

[0082] Each first air bag 30, 98 in the inflated position can abut the seat back 38 and the instrument panel 28 of the corresponding seat 24, 36. In the inflated position, the first end 52 can abut the seat back 38. The rear distal end 60 can abut the seat back 38. In the inflated position, the second end 54 can abut the instrument panel 28. The front distal end 58 can abut the instrument panel 28. The outer panel 68 can abut the instrument panel 28.

[0083] The first air bag 30 of the first seat 24 in the inflated position can abut the steering wheel 50. The second end 54 can abut the steering wheel 50. The front distal end 58 can abut the steering wheel 50.

[0084] Each first airbag 30, 98 in the inflated position may abut at least one of the pair of front airbags 32 in the inflated position. The second end 54 may abut one of the pair of front airbags 32. The inner panel 66 may abut one of the pair of front airbags 32.

[0085] like Fig. 9 As shown, the first air bag 30 of the first seat 24 may be adjacent to two of the front air bags 32. The inner panel 66 may be adjacent to one of the pair of front air bags 32. The outer panel 68 may be adjacent to the other of the pair of front air bags 32.

[0086] Each first air bag 30 , 98 may extend along the first side 42 of the seat bottom 26 and bend along the curved portion 46 .

[0087] Each first airbag 30, 98 in the inflated position may be flexed between the instrument panel 28 and one of the pair of front airbags 32. In the inflated position, the second end 54 may be disposed between the instrument panel 28 and one of the pair of front airbags 32. The front distal end 58 may be disposed between the instrument panel 28 and one of the pair of front airbags 32.

[0088] Each first airbag 30, 98 may include a first drawstring 80 and a second drawstring 82. The drawstrings 80, 82 help shape the airbag 30, 98 in the inflated position, for example, to have a curved shape. Each drawstring 80, 82 may include a first end 84 and a second end 86. The first end 84 may be spaced apart from the second end 86. The drawstrings 80, 82 may extend from the first end 84 to the second end 86. The drawstrings 80, 82 may be made of the same type of material as the airbags 30, 98.

[0089] The draw straps 80, 82 may be connected to the second end 54. The first end 84 of the draw straps 80, 82 may be connected to the second end 54. The second end 86 may be connected to the first end 52, the inner panel 66, the outer panel 68, the rear distal end 60, or the like.

[0090] The first draw tape 80 may be disposed in the plenum 78. The first draw tape 80 may be disposed between the inner panel 66 and the outer panel 68.

[0091] A first draw strap 80 may be connected to the outer edge 70. A first end 84 of the first draw strap 80 may be connected to the outer edge 70. The first end 84 of the first draw strap 80 may be connected to the outer panel where the outer panel 68 meets the front distal end 58. The first end 84 of the first draw strap 80 may be connected to the front distal end 58 where the front distal end 58 meets the outer panel 68. The first end 84 of the first draw strap 80 may be connected to both the outer panel 68 and the front distal end 58 where the front distal end 58 meets the outer panel 68.

[0092] The first draw strap 80 may be connected to the outer corner 72. The first end 84 of the first draw strap 80 may be connected to the outer corner 72. The first end 84 of the first draw strap 80 may be connected to the top distal end 56 where the top distal end 56 joins the outer panel 68 and the front distal end 58. The first end 84 of the first draw strap 80 may be connected to the front distal end 58 where the front distal end 58 joins the outer panel 68 and the top distal end 56. The first end 84 of the first draw strap 80 may be connected to the outer panel 68 where the outer panel 68 joins the top distal end 56 and the front distal end 58. The first end 84 of the first draw strap 80 may be connected to the front distal end 58, the top distal end 56, and / or a combination of the outer panel 68 where the front distal end 58, the top distal end 56, and the outer panel 68 join.

[0093] The second draw tape 82 may be disposed outside the plenum 78. The second draw tape 82 may be disposed at other locations other than between the inner panel 66 and the outer panel 68.

[0094] The second draw strap 82 may be connected to the inner edge 74. The first end 84 of the second draw strap 82 may be connected to the inner edge 74. The first end 84 of the second draw strap 82 may be connected to the inner panel 66 where the inner panel 66 and the front distal end 58 meet. The first end 84 of the second draw strap 82 may be connected to the front distal end 58 where the front distal end 58 and the inner panel 66 meet. The first end 84 of the second draw strap 82 may be connected to both the inner panel 66 and the front distal end 58 where the front distal end 58 and the inner panel 66 meet.

[0095] The second draw strap 82 may be connected to the inner corner 76. The first end 84 of the second draw strap 82 may be connected to the inner corner 76. The first end 84 of the second draw strap 82 may be connected to the top distal end 56 where the top distal end 56 joins the inner panel 66 and the front distal end 58. The first end 84 of the second draw strap 82 may be connected to the front distal end 58 where the front distal end 58 joins the inner panel 66 and the top distal end 56. The first end 84 of the second draw strap 82 may be connected to the inner panel 66 where the inner panel 66 joins the top distal end 56 and the front distal end 58. The first end 84 of the second draw strap 82 may be connected to the front distal end 58, the top distal end 56, and / or a combination of the inner panel 66 where the front distal end 58, the top distal end 56, and the inner panel 66 join.

[0096] The airbag system 20 may include a deflector 88. The deflector 88 may be supported by the seat bottom 26. The deflector 88 may be supported by the seat frame 40. The deflector 88 may be disposed below the trim 48.

[0097] The deflector 88 may be configured to deflect the first air bag 30 or the first air bag 98 upward when the first air bag 30 or the first air bag 98 is inflated, e.g., depending on whether the deflector 88 is supported by the first seat 24 or the second seat 36. The deflector 88 may have an arcuate shape extending from below the seat bottom 26 along the first side 42 of the seat bottom 26.

[0098] The airbag system 20 may include a hinge 90. The deflector 88 may be supported on the seat bottom 26 by the hinge 90. The hinge 90 allows for pivotal movement of the deflector 88 relative to the seat bottom 26. The hinge 90 may be fixed to the deflector 88 and the seat frame 40.

[0099] The airbag system 20 can include a stop 92. The stop 92 limits the range of motion of the hinge 90. For example, when the deflector 88 pivots about the hinge 90, the stop 92 can be secured to the hinge 90 and abut the seat bottom 26. The stop 92 can abut the seat frame 40.

[0100] The second airbags 94, 100 can be supported on the second side 43 of the seat bottom 26 of their respective seats 24, 36. The second airbags 94, 100 can be inflated, for example, from an uninflated position to an inflated position. Each second airbag 94, 100 in the inflated position has a top distal end 96 spaced upwardly from the seat bottom 26. Figure 7 As shown for the second airbag 94, the top distal end 96 of the second airbag 94, 100 in the inflated position is spaced a distance D4 from the seat bottom 26. For example, the distance D1 from the seat bottom 26 to the top distal end 56 of the first airbag 30 is greater than the distance D4 from the seat bottom 26 to the top distal end 96 of the second airbag 94, for example.

[0101] In the inflated position, the first air bag 30 of the first seat 24 may abut the first air bag 98 of the second seat 36. The outer panel 68 of the first air bag 30 may abut the outer panel 68 of the first air bag 98. The first air bag 30 of the first seat 24 may abut one of the pair of front air bags 32. The first air bag 98 of the second seat 36 may abut the other of the pair of front air bags 32.

[0102] refer to Figure 1-10, the airbag system 20 may include a first inflator 102. The first inflator 102 may be in fluid communication with the first airbag 30 of the first seat 24 and the second airbag 94 of the first seat 24. For example, the first inflator 102 may inflate the first airbag 30 and the second airbag 94 through a fill tube 104. The airbag system 20 may include a second inflator 106. The second inflator 106 may be in fluid communication with the first airbag 98 of the second seat 36 and the second airbag 100 of the second seat 36, for example, through another fill tube 104. The airbag system 20 may include a third inflator 108. The third inflator 108 may be in fluid communication with one of the pair of front airbags 32. The airbag system 20 may include a fourth inflator 110. The fourth inflator 110 may be in fluid communication with the other of the pair of front airbags 32.

[0103] The inflators 102, 106, 108, 110 may be, for example, pyrotechnic inflators that use a chemical reaction to drive an inflation medium to the airbags 30, 32, 94, 98, 100. The inflators 102, 106, 108, 110 may be of any suitable type, such as cryogenic gas inflators.

[0104] The airbag system 20 may include a first housing 112. The first inflator 102, the first airbag 30 of the first seat 24 in an uninflated position, and the second airbag 94 of the first seat 24 in an uninflated position may be disposed in the first housing 112. The airbag system 20 may include a second housing 114. The second inflator 106, the first airbag 98 of the second seat 36 in an uninflated position, and the second airbag 100 of the second seat 36 in an uninflated position may be disposed in the second housing 114. The airbag system 20 may include a third housing 116. The third inflator 108 and one of the pair of front airbags 32 in an uninflated position may be disposed in the third housing 116. The airbag system 20 may include a fourth housing 118. The fourth inflator 110 and the other of the pair of front airbags 32 in an uninflated position may be disposed in the fourth housing 118. The airbags 30 , 32 , 94 , 98 , 100 may be rolled and / or folded to fit within the housings 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 .

[0105] The housings 112, 114, 116, 118 provide reaction surfaces for the airbags 30, 32, 94, 98, 100 in the inflated position. The first housing 112 and the second housing 114 may each be supported by one of the seat bottoms 26. The third housing 116 and the fourth housing 118 may each be supported by the instrument panel 28. The third housing 116 or the fourth housing 118 may be supported by the steering wheel 50. The housings 112, 114, 116, 118 may be formed of any material, such as a rigid polymer, a metal, a composite material, etc.

[0106] refer to Fig.10 , the vehicle 22 includes a collision sensing system 120. The collision sensing system 120 may include at least one collision sensor 122 for sensing a collision of the vehicle 22 and a computer 124 in communication with the collision sensor 122 and the inflators 102, 106, 108, 110. The computer 124 may activate the inflators 102, 106, 108, 110 (e.g., provide a pulse to the pyrotechnic charge of the inflators 102, 106, 108, 110) when the collision sensor 122 senses a collision of the vehicle 22. Alternatively or in addition to sensing a collision, the collision sensing system 120 may be configured to sense a collision before the collision, i.e., pre-collision sensing.

[0107] The collision sensor 122 can communicate with the computer 124. The collision sensor 122 is configured to detect a collision with the vehicle 22. The collision sensor 122 can be of any suitable type, such as a post-contact sensor (such as an accelerometer, a pressure sensor, and a contact switch); and a pre-collision sensor 122 (such as a radar, LIDAR (laser radar) and a visual sensing system). The visual system can include one or more cameras, CCD (charge-coupled device) image sensors, CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensors, etc. The collision sensor 122 can be located at multiple points in or on the vehicle 22.

[0108] The computer 124 and the collision sensor 122 may be connected to a communication bus 126 of the vehicle 22, such as a controller area network (CAN) bus. The computer 124 may use information from the communication bus 126 to control activation of the inflators 102, 106, 108, 110. Fig.10 As shown, the inflators 102 , 106 , 108 , 110 may be connected to the computer 124 , or the inflators 102 , 106 , 108 , 110 may be directly connected to the communication bus 126 .

[0109] The computer 124 may be a microprocessor-based computer 124 implemented by circuits, chips or other electronic components. For example, the computer 124 may include a processor, a memory, etc. The memory of the computer 124 may include a memory for storing processor-executable programming instructions and for electronically storing data and / or databases.

[0110] The computer 124 may be programmed to actuate inflation of the first air bag 30 of the first seat 24. The computer 124 may be programmed to actuate inflation of at least one of the pair of front air bags 32 at a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 15 milliseconds) after actuation of the first air bag 30 of the first seat 24. For example, the computer 124 may be programmed to transmit a signal to the third inflator 108 and / or the fourth inflator 110 at a predetermined amount of time after transmitting the signal to the first inflator 102.

[0111] In operation, Figure 1 , 2 , 5 and 6, under normal operating conditions of the vehicle 22, the airbags 30, 32, 94, 98, 100 of the airbag system 20 are in an uninflated position. In the event of a collision, the collision sensor 122 can detect the collision and transmit a signal to the computer 124 via the communication bus 126. The computer 124 can transmit a signal to each inflator 102, 106, 108, 110 via the communication bus 126. The inflator 102, 106, 108, 110 can release the inflation medium upon receiving the signal and inflate the airbag 30, 32, 94, 98, 100 from the uninflated position to the inflated position with the inflation medium.

[0112] The adjectives "first" and "second" are used as identifiers in this document and are not intended to indicate importance or order.

[0113] 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. In light of the above teachings, many modifications and variations of the disclosure are possible, and the disclosure may be practiced in ways other than those specifically described.

Claims

1. An airbag system, comprising: A first seat including a seat bottom; Dashboard; a first airbag supported by the seat bottom and inflatable to an inflated position; and a pair of front air bags supported by the instrument panel and inflatable to an inflated position; and the first airbag in the inflated position extending from the first seat to between the pair of front airbags in the inflated position; further comprising a second airbag inflatable to an inflated position, the seat bottom including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first airbag supported on the first side and the second airbag supported on the second side; The first airbag and the second airbag in the inflated position each have a distal end spaced upwardly away from the seat bottom, and wherein a distance from the seat bottom to the distal end of the first airbag is greater than a distance from the seat bottom to the distal end of the second airbag. 2 . The airbag system of claim 1 , wherein the instrument panel includes a steering wheel and one of the pair of front airbags is supported by the steering wheel. 3 . The airbag system of claim 1 , wherein the seat bottom includes a side, a front, and a curved portion extending from the side toward the front, and the first airbag extends along the side and is curved along the curved portion. 4 . The airbag system of claim 3 , wherein the first airbag in the inflated position is bent between the instrument panel and one of the pair of front airbags.

5. The airbag system of claim 3, wherein the first airbag includes a first end on the side of the seat bottom and a second end on the front of the seat bottom, and a drawstring connected to the second end. 6 . The airbag system of claim 5 , wherein the first airbag defines an inflation chamber, and the drawstring is disposed in the inflation chamber.

7. The airbag system of claim 6, wherein the first airbag in the inflated position includes a curved portion at the second end, the curved portion having an outer corner at the second end, and the draw strap is connected to the outer corner.

8. The airbag system of claim 5, wherein the first airbag defines an inflation chamber, and the drawstring is disposed outside the inflation chamber.

9. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein the first airbag in the inflated position abuts at least one of the pair of front airbags in the inflated position.

10. The airbag system of claim 1, further comprising an inflator in fluid communication with the first airbag and the second airbag.

11. The airbag system of any one of claims 1-9, further comprising a computer programmed to actuate inflation of the first airbag, the computer programmed to actuate inflation of at least one of the pair of front airbags a predetermined amount of time after actuation of the first airbag.

12. The airbag system of any one of claims 1-9, further comprising a deflector supported by the seat bottom, the deflector configured to deflect the first airbag upward as the first airbag inflates.

13. The airbag system according to any one of claims 1-9, further comprising a second seat including a seat bottom, an airbag supported by the seat bottom of the second seat and inflatable to an inflated position, the airbag of the second seat in the inflated position extending from the second seat to between the pair of front airbags in the inflated position.

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