Sleep sheet crash protection system for recumbent sleeping passengers

Abstract

A sleep occupant crash protection system includes an occupant sleep pod located within an autonomous vehicle. A substantially flat platform of the occupant sleep pod supports an occupant reclining in a horizontal sleep position. A resilient bed sheet is in direct contact with an upper surface of the platform and is located between the occupant and the platform. A sensing system is in communication with the occupant sleep pod and triggers deployment of a bed sheet displacement system during a vehicle rapid deceleration event.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method of protecting a sleeping occupant within an autonomous vehicle during vehicle travel. BACKGROUND

[0002] Autonomously operated motor vehicles provide occupants the opportunity to rest or sleep in a prone or horizontal position during travel to a predetermined destination. Current vehicle seats use seat belts and airbags to protect occupants during rapid deceleration events such as vehicle front or rear impacts, assuming the occupant is partially restrained in the seat. However, during an occupant’s sleep or rest, the seat is in a fully reclined position and the seat belt can not effectively restrain the occupant. Additionally, vehicle seats cannot fully recline to allow the occupant to maintain a horizontal sleeping position.

[0003] Therefore, while current motor vehicle restraint systems achieve their intended purpose, there remains a need for a new and improved protection system. SUMMARY

[0004] According to several aspects, a sleeping occupant crash protection system includes an occupant sleeping pod located within an autonomous vehicle. A substantially flat platform of the occupant sleeping pod supports an occupant reclining in a horizontal sleeping position. A flexible sheet is in direct contact with an upper surface of the platform and is located between the occupant and the platform. A sensing system is in communication with the occupant sleeping pod and triggers a sheet displacement system to deploy during a vehicle rapid deceleration event.

[0005] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the sheet includes a first sheet portion and a second sheet portion. The first sheet portion rotates about a first rotational arc toward a vehicle rearward direction when the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a vehicle rear impact. The second sheet portion rotates about a second rotational arc toward a vehicle forward direction opposite the vehicle rearward direction when the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a vehicle front impact.

[0006] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the sheet displacement system includes a first activation system in communication with the sensing system, the first activation system including: a first arm located on the upper surface of the platform in a non-displaced position; and a second arm located on the upper surface of the platform in a non-displaced position. The first sheet portion is connected to a free end of the first arm and the second arm.

[0007] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first actuation device defines a rapid displacement first motor, wherein the first arm and the second arm are connected to the first actuation device.

[0008] In another aspect of the disclosure, when the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a vehicle front impact, which causes the occupant to accelerate in a forward vehicle direction, and the signal from the sensing system indicates that the first sheet portion of the elastic sheet rotates about the arc of rotation upwardly about 90 degrees out of contact with the upper surface of the platform.

[0009] In another aspect of the disclosure, the occupant's femur / leg (including the occupant's hips) rotates in a rearward vehicle direction with the first sheet portion, contacts and elastically deflects the first sheet portion, and is constrained by the first sheet portion.

[0010] In another aspect of the disclosure, the sheet displacement system includes a second activation system in communication with the sensing system. The second activation system includes: a third arm positioned on the upper surface of the platform in a non-displaced position; and a fourth arm positioned on the upper surface of the platform in a non-displaced position. A second sheet portion is connected to the free end of the third arm and the fourth arm.

[0011] In another aspect of the disclosure, the second actuation device defines a rapid displacement second motor. The third arm and the fourth arm are connected to the second actuation device. When the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a vehicle rear impact, which causes the occupant to accelerate in a rearward vehicle direction, and the signal from the sensing system indicates that the second sheet portion of the elastic sheet rotates about the arc of rotation upwardly about 90 degrees out of contact with the upper surface of the platform and toward the forward direction. The occupant's head and torso (including the occupant's hips) rotates in a forward vehicle direction, contacts and elastically deflects the second sheet portion, and is constrained by the second sheet portion.

[0012] In another aspect of the disclosure, the opposing vertically oriented side walls of the occupant sleep pod include a first wall and a second wall oriented parallel to the first wall.

[0013] In another aspect of the disclosure, a first airbag is mounted to the first wall and a second airbag is mounted to the second wall, the first airbag and the second airbag are actuated by the signal from the sensing system during the vehicle rapid deceleration event.

[0014] According to several aspects, a sleeping occupant crash protection system includes an occupant sleep pod positioned within an autonomous vehicle. A substantially planar platform of the occupant sleep pod supports an occupant initially reclined in a horizontal sleeping position. An elastic sheet is in direct contact with an upper surface of the platform and positioned between the occupant and the platform, the elastic sheet having a first portion that rotates in a rearward vehicle direction during a first vehicle rapid deceleration event and a second portion that rotates oppositely in a forward vehicle direction during a second vehicle rapid deceleration event. A sensing system is in communication with the passenger sleep pod and triggers rotation of at least one of the first sheet portion during the first vehicle rapid deceleration event and the second sheet portion during the second vehicle rapid deceleration event.

[0015] In another aspect of the disclosure, the frangible seam generally connects the first sheet portion to the second sheet portion. The overlapping portion defines a folded portion of the sheet and is connected to the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion by the frangible seam.

[0016] In another aspect of the disclosure, the frangible seam is retained when one of the first vehicle rapid deceleration event and the second vehicle rapid deceleration event is less than a predetermined impact force of the occupant on the sheet.

[0017] In another aspect of the disclosure, the frangible seam releases to absorb a portion of the occupant acceleration impact force and the sheet lengthens the length of the folded portion to thereby provide additional energy absorption by the sheet when one of the first vehicle rapid deceleration event and the second vehicle rapid deceleration event is greater than the predetermined impact force of the occupant on the sheet.

[0018] In another aspect of the disclosure, the first actuation device defines a rapid displacement first motor, wherein the first portion of the sheet is connected to the first actuation device and is displaced by operation of the first actuation device. The second actuation device defines a rapid displacement second motor, wherein the second portion of the sheet is connected to the second actuation device and is displaced by operation of the second actuation device.

[0019] In another aspect of the disclosure, a pulley device is positioned above the platform, the pulley device being connected to the first sheet portion by at least one first cable and to the second sheet portion by at least one second cable. Actuation of the pulley device in a first direction serves to rotate the first sheet portion in a vehicle rearward direction. Actuation of the pulley device in a second direction serves to rotate the second sheet portion in a vehicle forward direction.

[0020] In another aspect of the disclosure, only the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion deploy when the oblique impact force occurs at an oblique angle relative to a vehicle longitudinal axis of the autonomous vehicle and the oblique angle is within a preset angular range -θ1~+θ1, wherein the preset angular range is determined from an acceleration magnitude from the sensing system. Both the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion deploy when the oblique angle of the oblique impact force is greater than θ1but less than a second preset angle (θ2), and at least one side airbag connected to the occupant sleeping cabin deploys. Only the at least one side airbag deploys when the oblique angle of the oblique impact force is within a range +θ2~(180°-θ2).

[0021] According to several aspects, a method for protecting a sleeping occupant within an autonomous vehicle includes positioning an occupant sleep pod within the autonomous vehicle; supporting an occupant reclining in a horizontal sleeping position on a substantially flat platform of the occupant sleep pod; bringing an elastic sheet into direct contact with an upper surface of the platform and positioning it between the occupant and the platform; and communicating a sensing system with the occupant sleep pod and triggering a sheet displacement system to deploy during a vehicle rapid deceleration event.

[0022] According to several aspects, the method further includes rotating a first sheet portion of the elastic sheet about a first arc of rotation toward a vehicle rearward direction when the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a vehicle rear impact; and rotating a second sheet portion of the elastic sheet about a second arc of rotation toward a vehicle forward direction opposite the vehicle rearward direction when the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a vehicle front impact.

[0023] In another aspect of the disclosure, the method further includes sending a first signal by the sensing system to indicate a first sheet portion of the elastic sheet to rotate upwardly about 90 degrees out of contact with the upper surface of the platform to mitigate acceleration of the occupant in the vehicle forward direction when the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a vehicle front impact; and sending a second signal by the sensing system to indicate a second sheet portion of the elastic sheet to rotate upwardly about 90 degrees out of contact with the upper surface of the platform to mitigate acceleration of the occupant in the vehicle rearward direction when the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a vehicle rear impact.

[0024] Other applicable fields will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are merely for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The drawings described herein are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0026] Figure 1 is a left upper perspective view of an elastic sleep sheet crash protection system according to exemplary aspects;

[0027] Figure 2 is a left upper perspective view of the system of Figure 1 in a first actuated position;

[0028] Figure 3 is a left upper perspective view of the system of Figure 1 in a second actuated position;

[0029] Figure 4 is a top view of the system of Figure 1 ; and

[0030] Figure 5 is a top view of the system of Figure 1a left upper perspective view of the system shown in

[0031] Figure 6 is Figure 1 a left upper perspective view of the system shown in

[0032] Figure 7 is Figure 2 a side view of the first actuation position shown in

[0033] Figure 8 is Figure 3 a side view of the second actuation position shown in

[0034] Figure 9 is an end view of another aspect of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 10 is a top view of the system shown in Figure 1

[0036] Figure 11 is a top view of a stretch sleep sheet according to another aspect; and

[0037] Figure 12 is a side view of the stretch sleep sheet shown in Figure 11 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

[0039] Referring to Figure 1 a stretch sleep sheet impact protection system 10 including an occupant sleep pod 12 located within an autonomous vehicle 14. The occupant sleep pod 12 is parallel to a vehicle forward direction 16 and an opposite vehicle rearward direction 18. An occupant 20 can recline in a horizontal sleep position supported on a substantially flat platform 22 that is parallel to the vehicle forward direction 16 and the opposite vehicle rearward direction 18. According to aspects, the platform 22 can define a polymer mattress covered with, for example, leather, vinyl, or similar cover material, a foam mattress, or the like. The occupant sleep pod 12 includes opposing vertically oriented side walls including a first wall 24 and an opposite second wall 26 oriented parallel to the first wall 24.

[0040] In a normal horizontal sleep position, the occupant’s 20 head 28, torso 30, and femur / legs 32 can be in direct contact with a stretch sleep sheet 34 atop the platform 22. According to aspects, the stretch sleep sheet 34 is positioned in direct contact with an upper surface 36 of the platform 22. According to aspects, the occupant 20 can lie with the head 28 pointing in the vehicle rearward direction 18 as shown, or can lie in the opposite direction with the head 28 pointing in the vehicle forward direction 16. ​​

[0041] Referring to Figure 2 and referring again to Figure 1 , the occupant sleep pod 12 is in communication with a sensing system 37, which may, for example, define an accelerometer. During a vehicle rapid deceleration event, such as a sensed front impact or a sensed rear impact, including a vehicle crash event, the sensing system 37 generates a signal that is sent at least to the occupant sleep pod 12, which initiates operation of the bed sheet displacement system, as described in reference to Figure 5 in more detail.

[0042] With continuing reference to Figure 2 , in a first example system operation, when the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a vehicle front impact, which causes the occupant 20 to accelerate in the vehicle forward direction 16. The signal from the sensing system 37 indicates that the first bed sheet portion 38 of the resilient bed sheet 34 is rotated upwardly about the rotation arc by approximately 90 degrees, out of contact with the upper surface 36 of the platform 22. In accordance with several aspects, the occupant’s 20 femur / leg 32, including the hips, rotates in the vehicle rearward direction 18 with the first bed sheet portion 38. During rotation of the first bed sheet portion 38, the bottom surface 42 of the femur / leg 32 remains in direct contact with the first bed sheet portion 38 as the first bed sheet portion 38 rotates about the rotation axis 44, which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the vehicle forward direction 16 and the opposite vehicle rearward direction 18. At this time, the occupant’s 20 head 28 and torso 30 remain in contact or sliding contact with the second bed sheet portion 46, which remains in contact with the upper surface 36 of the platform 22. In this configuration, the first bed sheet portion 38 constrains the occupant 20 from displacement in the vehicle forward direction 16, and the first bed sheet portion 38 resiliently deflects to absorb the impact energy of the occupant 20.

[0043] Referring to Figure 3 and referring again to Figure 1 and Figure 2In a second example system operation, when the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a vehicle rear impact, causing the occupant 20 to accelerate in the vehicle rearward direction 18. The signals from the sensing system 37 indicate that the second blanket portion 46 of the elastic blanket 34 rotates upwardly about the rotation arc by approximately 90 degrees, out of contact with the upper surface 36 of the platform 22. In accordance with several aspects, the head 28 and torso 30 of the occupant 20, along with the hips, rotate in the vehicle forward direction 16 with the second blanket portion 46. During the rotation of the second blanket portion 46, as the second blanket portion 46 rotates about the rotation axis 52, the underside 50 of the head 28 and the torso 30 remain in direct contact with the second blanket portion 46, the rotation axis 52 being substantially perpendicular to the vehicle forward direction 16 and the opposite vehicle rearward direction 18. At this time, the femur / leg 32 of the occupant 20 can remain in contact or sliding contact with the first blanket portion 38, which remains in contact with the upper surface 36 of the platform 22. In this configuration, the occupant 20 is in contact with the second blanket portion 46 and thus restrained by the second blanket portion 46 from displacement in the vehicle rearward direction 18 due to the acceleration forces of the vehicle rear impact. The second blanket portion 46 elastically deflects to absorb the impact energy of the occupant 20.

[0044] Referring now to Figure 4 and referring again to Figures 1 to 3 In one example configuration, a single occupant sleep pod 12 is shown located on the driver side or left side of the autonomous vehicle 14. The occupant sleep pod 12 is located in the passenger compartment 54 behind the driver compartment 56. In the arrangement shown, when the autonomous vehicle is moving in the vehicle forward direction 16, the head 28 of the occupant 20 is located at the vehicle rearward end and facing in the vehicle rearward direction 18. In accordance with further aspects, the single occupant sleep pod 12 can be located on the passenger side or passenger compartment 54, or a second, additional occupant sleep pod 12 (not shown) can be located on the passenger side or passenger compartment 54.

[0045] Referring now to Figure 5 and referring again to Figures 1 to 3Figure 7 According to several embodiments, the occupant sleep pod 12 can be operated using a sheet displacement system defining a first activation system 58, which is in communication with the sensing system 37. The first activation system 58 includes a first arm 60 positioned proximate to and parallel to the first wall 24, which is on the upper surface 36 of the platform 22 in a non-displaced position, and a second arm 62 positioned proximate to and parallel to the second wall 26, which is also on the upper surface 36 of the platform 22 in a non-displaced position. A first sheet portion 38 is connected to the free end of the first arm 60 and the second arm 62. When the first activation system 58 receives a signal from the sensing system 37, the first arm 60 and the second arm 62 are rotated by operation of the first activation system 58, which can for example include a rapid displacement motor. The platform 22 also includes a first energy absorbing device 64 that absorbs energy imparted by the occupant when the occupant is displaced, for example as shown with reference to Figure 7 The first arm 60 and the second arm 62 are connected to the first energy absorbing device 64 and are configured to slide relative to the platform 22, thereby allowing the first energy absorbing device 64 to absorb a portion of the energy imparted by the occupant 20 onto the first sheet portion 38. If the sensing system 37 generates a front impact acceleration signal indicating an impending or actual vehicle front impact, the front impact acceleration signal is sent to the first activation system 58, which activates the first arm 60 and the second arm 62 to rotate about the arc of rotation 40, thereby rotating the first sheet portion 38 about the arc of rotation 40. Figure 2 The first arm 60 and the second arm 62 are connected to the first energy absorbing device 64 and are configured to slide relative to the platform 22, thereby allowing the first energy absorbing device 64 to absorb a portion of the energy imparted by the occupant 20 onto the first sheet portion 38. If the sensing system 37 generates a front impact acceleration signal indicating an impending or actual vehicle front impact, the front impact acceleration signal is sent to the first activation system 58, which activates the first arm 60 and the second arm 62 to rotate about the arc of rotation 40, thereby rotating the first sheet portion 38 about the arc of rotation 40. Figure 2 The first arm 60 and the second arm 62 are connected to the first energy absorbing device 64 and are configured to slide relative to the platform 22, thereby allowing the first energy absorbing device 64 to absorb a portion of the energy imparted by the occupant 20 onto the first sheet portion 38. If the sensing system 37 generates a front impact acceleration signal indicating an impending or actual vehicle front impact, the front impact acceleration signal is sent to the first activation system 58, which activates the first arm 60 and the second arm 62 to rotate about the arc of rotation 40, thereby rotating the first sheet portion 38 about the arc of rotation 40.

[0046] The first arm 60 and the second arm 62 are connected to the first energy absorbing device 64 and are configured to slide relative to the platform 22, thereby allowing the first energy absorbing device 64 to absorb a portion of the energy imparted by the occupant 20 onto the first sheet portion 38. If the sensing system 37 generates a front impact acceleration signal indicating an impending or actual vehicle front impact, the front impact acceleration signal is sent to the first activation system 58, which activates the first arm 60 and the second arm 62 to rotate about the arc of rotation 40, thereby rotating the first sheet portion 38 about the arc of rotation 40. Figure 8The third arm 66 and the fourth arm 68 are connected to the second energy absorbing device 70 and are configured to slide relative to the platform 22, thereby allowing the second energy absorbing device 70 to absorb a portion of the energy imparted by the occupant 20 onto the second sheet portion 46. If the sensing system 37 generates a rear impact acceleration signal indicative of an impending or actual vehicle rear impact, the rear impact acceleration signal is sent to the first activation system 58, which activates the third arm 66 and the fourth arm 68 to move about the reference Figure 3 The rotating arc 48 is rotated, thereby rotating the reference Figure 3 The second sheet portion 46 is rotated.

[0047] Reference is made to Figure 6 Reference is also made to Figures 1 to 5 According to several aspects, a resilient sleep sheet impact protection system 10 can further include an occupant sleep cabin 72, which is modified from the occupant sleep cabin 12, as shown, with common components identified with the same part numbers. Instead of the first activation system 58 directly connecting to and displacing the first arm 60 and the second arm 62, and the first activation system 58 directly connecting to and displacing the third arm 66 and the fourth arm 68, a second activation system 74 in communication with the sensing system 37 can be used to operate the occupant sleep cabin 72.

[0048] The second activation system 74 includes the first arm 60 positioned proximate to and parallel to the first wall 24 on the upper surface 36 of the platform 22 in the non-displaced position, and the second arm 62 positioned proximate to and parallel to the second wall 26 on the upper surface 36 of the platform 22 in the non-displaced position. A first cable 76 is connected to a free end 78 of the first sheet portion 38 and a pulley device 80 raised above the platform 22 and rotatably connected to the first wall 24. A second cable 82 is connected to a free end 84 of the first sheet portion 38 and a second pulley device 86 raised above the platform 22 and rotatably connected to the second wall 26. If the sensing system 37 generates a front impact acceleration signal indicative of an impending or actual vehicle front impact, the acceleration signal is sent to the second activation system 74, which activates the operation of the first pulley device 80 and the second pulley device 86 to simultaneously retract the first cable 76 and the second cable 82 in a first retraction direction 88 to rotate the first sheet portion 38 in the rotating arc 40 about the reference Figure 2 The first sheet portion 38 is pulled in the rotating arc 40 about the reference

[0049] The second activation system 74 also includes a third arm 66 positioned proximate to and parallel to the first wall 24 on the upper surface 36 of the platform 22 in the non-displaced position and a fourth arm 68 positioned proximate to and parallel to the second wall 26 on the upper surface 36 of the platform 22 in the non-displaced position. A third cable 92 is connected to the second blanket portion 46 and to a pulley arrangement 80 raised above the platform 22 and rotatably connected to the first wall 24. A fourth cable 94 is connected to the second blanket portion 46 and to a second pulley arrangement 86 raised above the platform 22 and rotatably connected to the second wall 26. If the sensing system 37 generates a rear impact acceleration signal indicative of an impending or actual vehicle rear impact, the acceleration signal is sent to the second activation system 74, which activates operation of the first and second pulley arrangements 80, 86, which simultaneously retract the third and fourth cables 92, 94 in a second retraction direction 95 to position the second blanket portion 46 in the reference Figure 3 The second blanket portion 46 is pulled around the rotation axis 96 in the reference

[0050] Referring to Figure 7 and again to Figures 2 to 3 During a vehicle front impact, the occupant 20 is accelerated in the vehicle forward direction 16 and the femur / leg 32 of the occupant 20 contacts and elastically stretches the first blanket portion 38, which generates a first rebound force 97 in the opposite direction, which acts to re-orient the occupant 20 in the vehicle rearward direction 18.

[0051] Referring to Figure 8 and again to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 7 After the reference Figure 7 vehicle front impact, the first rebound force 97 generated by the elastic compression of the first blanket portion 38 accelerates the occupant 20 in the vehicle rearward direction 18. Simultaneously with or within a predetermined time after the displacement of the first blanket portion 38, the second blanket portion 46 is displaced in the reference Figure 3 vehicle forward direction 16. The head 28 and torso 30 of the occupant 20 contact and elastically stretch the second blanket portion 46, which absorbs the first rebound force 97.

[0052] Note that a vehicle rear impact actuates the second blanket portion 46 and then the first blanket portion 38 in the reverse order of the above-described sequence. Thus, the second blanket portion 46 generates a second rebound force 98 in the opposite direction of the first rebound force 97, which is absorbed by the first blanket portion 38.

[0053] Referring to Figure 9 and again toFigures 1 to 6 According to several aspects, an elastic sleep sheet impact protection system 10 can further include an occupant sleep pod 100, improved from the occupant sleep pod 12 and the occupant sleep pod 72, as described below, having common components identified with the same part numbers. The occupant sleep pod 100 includes a side airbag (SiAB) system having opposing side airbags that inflate during a vehicle rapid deceleration event, such as an oblique angle impact involving a vehicle impact event. During a vehicle rapid deceleration event having an oblique component, the sensing system 37 generates a signal that is sent to at least the occupant sleep pod 100. In response to the signal from the sensing system 37, a first airbag 102 of the SiAB system, connected to the first wall 24, inflates to protect the occupant 20 when accelerated in a first outward direction 104. In response to the signal from the sensing system 37, a second airbag 106 of the SiAB system, connected to the second wall 26, inflates to protect the occupant 20 when accelerated in a second outward direction 108, opposite the first outward direction 104.

[0054] Referring to Figure 10 and referring again to Figure 9 For an oblique impact to the autonomous vehicle 14, the SiAB system embedded in the first wall 24 and the second wall 26 mitigates the impact force acting on the occupant 20 by the following deployment logic: when an oblique impact force 110 occurs at an oblique impact angle 112 relative to a vehicle longitudinal axis 114 of the vehicle and the oblique impact angle 112 is within a preset angle range -θ1~+θ1, where the preset angle range is determined by the acceleration magnitude from the accelerometer of the sensing system 37, only the first sheet portion 38 or the second sheet portion 46 will deploy. When the oblique impact angle 112 is greater than θ1but less than a second preset angle (θ2), the first sheet portion 38 and / or the second sheet portion 46 will deploy, and the side airbags will deploy. When the oblique impact angle 112 is within a range +θ2~(180 0 -θ2), only the side airbags will deploy.

[0055] Referring to Figure 11 and referring again to Figures 1 to 8According to aspects, an elastic sleep sheet impact protection system 10 can further include an improved sheet system 116 including a unitary sheet 118 having a first frangible seam 120 generally connecting a first sheet portion 122 to a second sheet portion 124. A first overlap portion 126 defines a first folded portion of material of the unitary sheet 118 connected to the first sheet portion 122 and the second sheet portion 124 by the first frangible seam 120. The improved sheet system 116 can further include a second frangible seam 128 generally connecting the second sheet portion 124 to a third sheet portion 130. A second overlap portion 132 defines a second folded portion of material of the unitary sheet 118 connected the second sheet portion 124 and the third sheet portion 130 by the second frangible seam 128. According to aspects, the first frangible seam 120 can be formed using a thread having a size, strength, and / or diameter that is less than a size, strength, and / or diameter of a thread used for the second frangible seam 128 to allow for different levels of force required to break the first frangible seam 120 or the second frangible seam 128. The thread pattern between the first frangible seam 120 and the second frangible seam 128 can also be varied to provide different breaking forces for the two seams.

[0056] According to aspects, during a vehicle impact event from a first predetermined impact force of an occupant 20, the first frangible seam 120 remains intact, the second frangible seam 128 remains intact, and the unitary sheet 118 absorbs the impact force of the occupant 20. The occupant 20 of this first aspect can be, for example, a child or a young person of light weight.

[0057] In a vehicle impact event in which the occupant accelerates a second predetermined impact force that is greater than the first predetermined impact force and less than a third predetermined impact force of the occupant 20 acting on the unitary sheet 118, the first frangible seam 120 releases. The unitary sheet 118 absorbs the second predetermined impact force that is greater than the first predetermined impact force and less than the third predetermined impact force of the occupant 20 due to the additional energy absorption resulting from the release of the frangible seam 120 and the additional length of the existing first overlap portion 126. The occupant 20 of this second aspect can be, for example, an adult of medium weight.

[0058] In a vehicle impact event in which the occupant accelerates a third predetermined impact force that is greater than the first predetermined impact force and greater than the second predetermined impact force of the occupant 20 acting on the unitary sheet 118, the second frangible seam 128 releases. The unitary sheet 118 absorbs the occupant impact force defining the highest or third predetermined impact force of the occupant 20 due to the additional energy absorption resulting from the release of the frangible seam 128 and the additional length of the existing second overlap portion 132. The occupant 20 of this third aspect can be, for example, an adult of heavy weight.

[0059] Referring now to Figure 12 and referring again to Figure 11 , a first predetermined impact force 134 of the occupant 20 acting on the integral bed sheet 118 is insufficient to cause the first frangible seam 120 or the second frangible seam 128 to break. A second predetermined impact force 136 of the occupant 20 greater than the first predetermined impact force acting on the integral bed sheet 118 is sufficient to cause the first frangible seam 120 to break, but not the second frangible seam 128. The displacement of the integral bed sheet 118 in the direction of the second predetermined impact force 136 results in the extension of the first bed sheet portion 122 in the direction 140 being opposite to the extension of the second bed sheet portion 130 in the direction 142, thereby causing the first frangible seam 120 to break and the length of the first overlap portion 126 to increase.

[0060] A third predetermined impact force 138 of the occupant 30 greater than the second predetermined impact force 136 acting on the integral bed sheet 18 is sufficient to cause the first frangible seam 120 and the second frangible seam 128 to break. The displacement of the integral bed sheet 118 in the direction of the third predetermined impact force 138 results in the extension of the first bed sheet portion 122 in the direction 140 being opposite to the extension of the second bed sheet portion 130 in the direction 142, thereby causing both the first frangible seam 120 and the second frangible seam 128 to break and the length of the first overlap portion 126 and the length of the second overlap portion 132 to increase.

[0061] The elastic sleep sheet crash protection system 10 of the present disclosure provides a pre-crash sensing system 37 that determines that a vehicle impact event is imminent and that the bed sheet protection system needs to be deployed to restrain the sleeping occupant 20. When the pre-crash sensing system 37 determines that the impact direction is “foot to head”, the first bed sheet portion 38, which is partially located under the occupant’s lower torso, is pushed upward forming an “L-shaped catch net” with the femur / leg 32 “X” milliseconds before impact. The subsequent impact force will push the occupant 20 into the “catch” the first bed sheet portion 38 along the direction of the occupant’s torso. The upper or second bed sheet portion 46 can subsequently be raised in the impact event to catch the rebounding occupant 20.

[0062] Referring now to Figures 1 to 12 , the pre-crash sensing system 37 determines that a crash is imminent and that one or more bed sheet portions need to be deployed to restrain the sleeping occupant. According to several aspects, when the pre-crash sensing system 37 determines that the impact direction is “head to foot”, the second bed sheet portion 46, which is under the upper torso 30 and head 28, is pushed upward with the upper torso 30 and head 28 forming an “L-shaped catch net” “X” milliseconds before impact. The subsequent impact will push the occupant 20 into the “catch” the bed sheet portion or second bed sheet portion 46 similar to a rear impact event for a seated passenger. The lower limbs or first bed sheet portion 38 can subsequently be raised in the impact event to catch the rebounding occupant 20.

[0063] The elastic sleep sheet crash protection system 10 of the present disclosure provides several advantages. These advantages include a system that changes the sleeping occupant's posture from lying flat to a crash-friendly posture before a frontal, rear, or oblique impact event is imminent. Depending on the direction of the vehicle impact, the upper torso and head or the thigh bones / legs are pushed upward to a crash-friendly posture before the vehicle impact. In the subsequent impact event, the highly elastic sheet of the present disclosure acts as a capture net that captures and decelerates the occupant relative to the autonomous vehicle 14. Depending on the impact direction, the elastic sleep sheet crash protection system 10 will push the occupant 20 into a desired posture that can better utilize human anatomy to resist and absorb the impact energy of the highly elastic sheet. The high elasticity of the sheet (e.g., the first sheet portion 38 and the second sheet portion 46) minimizes potential occupant injury.

[0064] The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature, and variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations should not be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A sleeping occupant collision protection system comprising: a crew sleeping cabin, located within the autonomous vehicle; The flat platform of the passenger sleeping cabin supports the passenger in a horizontal sleeping position; an elastic sheet in direct contact with the upper surface of the platform and positioned between the occupant and the platform; as well as a sensing system that communicates with the occupant sleeping module and triggers deployment of the sheet shifting system during a rapid vehicle deceleration event; The bed sheet comprises: a first sheet portion that rotates about a first rotation arc toward a rearward direction of the vehicle when the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a frontal impact of the vehicle; as well as The second sheet portion rotates about a second rotation arc toward a vehicle-forward direction opposite to the vehicle-rearward direction when the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a vehicle rear impact.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sheet shifting system comprises a first activation system in communication with the sensing system, the first activation system comprising: a first arm positioned on the upper surface of the platform in a first arm non-displaced position; as well as a second arm positioned on the upper surface of the platform in a second arm non-displaced position; and The first sheet portion is connected to a free end of the first arm and a free end of the second arm.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a first actuation system including a rapid-shifting first motor, wherein the first arm and the second arm are shifted by operation of the first actuation system.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein when the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a frontal vehicle impact, the occupant is caused to accelerate in a forward direction of the vehicle, and a signal from the sensing system instructs the first sheet portion of the elastic sheet to rotate upward 90 degrees about a first rotational arc, away from contact with the upper surface of the platform.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the occupant's thighbone / leg including the occupant's hip rotates with, contacts, resiliently deflects, and is restrained by the first bed sheet portion in the vehicle rearward direction.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the sheet shifting system comprises a second activation system in communication with the sensing system, the second activation system comprising: a third arm located on the upper surface of the platform in a non-displaced position; as well as a fourth arm, located on the upper surface of the platform, in a non-displaced position; and The second sheet portion is connected to the free end of the third arm and the free end of the fourth arm.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a second actuator: wherein the third arm and the fourth arm are in communication with the second activation system; wherein when the vehicle rapid deceleration event is defined as a rear impact of the vehicle, the occupant is accelerated in a rearward direction of the vehicle, and the signal from the sensing system instructs the second sheet portion of the elastic sheet to rotate upward 90 degrees about a second rotational arc, away from contact with the upper surface of the platform and toward a forward direction; and The head and torso of the occupant including the hips of the occupant rotate in the forward direction of the vehicle, contact and elastically deflect the second bed sheet portion, and are restrained by the second bed sheet portion.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising opposing vertically oriented side walls of the occupant sleeping compartment, the side walls comprising a first wall and an opposing second wall oriented parallel to the first wall.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a first airbag and a second airbag, wherein the first airbag is mounted to the first wall and the second airbag is mounted to the second wall, the first airbag and the second airbag being actuated by a signal from a sensing system during the vehicle rapid deceleration event.

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