Airbag restraint system for vehicle seat

Abstract

An airbag restraint system for an occupant seat in a vehicle includes an airbag. The airbag includes an inflatable body that is inflatable from a stowed position to a deployed position, and when the inflatable body of the airbag is in the stowed position, the inflatable body of the airbag restraint system is deflated and stowed within a cavity defined by a seatback of the seat. The inflatable body of the airbag surrounds a portion of the chest of the seat occupant when the inflatable body of the airbag restraint system is in the deployed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an airbag restraint system for a vehicle seat. The airbag restraint system includes an airbag having an inflatable body that surrounds a portion of the thorax of a seat occupant when the airbag is in a deployed position. Background Art

[0002] Some autonomous vehicles include seats with various features or characteristics that are not typically present in vehicles that are manually operated by a driver. For example, the angle of the seats in an autonomous vehicle may be higher when compared to a vehicle that is manually operated by a driver. Additionally, some types of autonomous vehicles may include seats that swivel or rotate relative to the vehicle floor.

[0003] It should be understood that conventional airbags may not always be able to accommodate some of the unique challenges faced by autonomous vehicle seats. Specifically, the reclined position of the occupant may challenge the effectiveness of the occupant airbag if the seat is in a reclined position when the vehicle experiences a sudden deceleration during a crash event. Additionally, conventional seat belts may not be able to accommodate an occupant who has rotated his or her seat so that he or she is no longer facing the front of the vehicle.

[0004] Therefore, while current vehicle seats perform their intended purposes, there remains a need in the art for an improved method of restraining an occupant within a vehicle seat. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to several aspects, the present invention discloses an airbag restraint system for an occupant seat in a vehicle. The seat includes a seat back defining a cavity. The airbag restraint system includes an airbag. The airbag includes an inflatable body. The inflatable body of the airbag is inflatable from a stowed position to a deployed position, and when the inflatable body of the airbag is in the stowed position, the inflatable body of the airbag restraint system is deflated and stowed within the cavity defined by the seat back of the seat. When the inflatable body of the airbag restraint system is in the deployed position, the inflatable body of the airbag surrounds a portion of the thorax of the seat occupant.

[0006] In another aspect, the expandable body defines a front portion.

[0007] In yet another aspect, a front portion of the inflatable body of the airbag is opposed to an occupant positioned in the seat when the inflatable body is in the deployed position.

[0008] In one aspect, the inflatable body of the airbag defines an upper side and a lower side.

[0009] In another aspect, an upper side of the airbag faces a ceiling of an interior cabin of the vehicle, and a lower side of the airbag faces a floor of the interior cabin of the vehicle.

[0010] In yet another aspect, the inflatable body of the airbag defines an energy absorbing cross-section, wherein the energy absorbing cross-section is located at a front portion along an upper side of the inflatable body of the airbag.

[0011] In one aspect, the expandable body defines opposing sides, each of the opposing sides corresponding to a respective one of the sagittal sides of the occupant.

[0012] In another aspect, each opposing side of the inflatable body of the airbag faces a respective sagittal side of the occupant when the inflatable body of the airbag is in the deployed position.

[0013] In yet another aspect, a front portion of the inflatable body of the airbag limits forward movement of the occupant, and an opposing side of the inflatable body of the airbag limits lateral movement of the occupant.

[0014] In one aspect, an airbag restraint system includes a tether connected to an inflatable body of an airbag, wherein the tether includes a webbing.

[0015] In another aspect, the airbag restraint system further includes a pulley system having a plurality of wheels, wherein the webbing of the tether is wrapped around the plurality of wheels of the pulley system.

[0016] In another aspect, when the inflatable body of the airbag is inflated from the stowed position to the deployed position, the webbing of the tether is actuated by the pulley system and pushes the inflatable body of the airbag to inflate from the stowed position to the deployed position.

[0017] In one aspect, the present invention discloses a seat for a vehicle occupant. The seat includes a seat back defining a cavity and an airbag restraint system including an airbag. The airbag includes an expandable body expandable from a stowed position to a deployed position, wherein when the expandable body of the airbag is in the stowed position, the expandable body of the airbag restraint system is deflated and stowed within the cavity defined by the seat back of the seat. When the expandable body of the airbag restraint system is in the deployed position, the expandable body of the airbag surrounds a portion of the thorax of an occupant seated in the seat.

[0018] In another aspect, the seat is a dedicated vehicle seat.

[0019] In yet another aspect, the expandable body defines a front portion.

[0020] In one aspect, a front portion of the inflatable body of the airbag is opposed to an occupant positioned in the seat when the inflatable body is in the deployed position.

[0021] In another aspect, the inflatable body of the airbag defines an upper side and a lower side.

[0022] In yet another aspect, an upper side of the airbag faces a ceiling of an interior cockpit of the vehicle and a lower side of the airbag faces a floor of the interior cockpit of the vehicle.

[0023] In one aspect, the inflatable body of the airbag defines an energy absorbing cross section, wherein the energy absorbing cross section is located at a front portion along an upper side of the inflatable body of the airbag.

[0024] In another aspect, the present invention discloses an airbag restraint system for a vehicle occupant seat. The seat includes a seat back defining a cavity, and the airbag restraint system includes a tether having a belt, a pulley system having a plurality of wheels, and an airbag, wherein the belt of the tether is wound around the plurality of wheels of the pulley system. The airbag includes an inflatable body that can be inflated from a stowed position to a deployed position, wherein when the inflatable body of the airbag is in the stowed position, the inflatable body of the airbag restraint system is deflated and stowed in a cavity defined by the seat back of the seat, and wherein when the inflatable body of the airbag restraint system is in the deployed position, the inflatable body of the airbag surrounds a portion of the thorax of an occupant sitting in the seat. The belt of the tether is connected to the inflatable body of the airbag, and when the inflatable body of the airbag is inflated from the stowed position to the deployed position, the belt of the tether is actuated by the pulley system and pushes the inflatable body of the airbag to inflate from the stowed position to the deployed position.

[0025] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an interior cockpit of a vehicle including seats according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2A According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1 a schematic diagram of a seat shown with an occupant seated in the seat and an inflatable body of an airbag that is part of the disclosed airbag restraint system in a stowed position;

[0029] Figure 2B According to an exemplary embodiment Figure 2A Schematic diagram of a seat in which the inflatable body of the airbag is inflated from a stowed position to a deployed position;

[0030] Figure 2C According to an exemplary embodiment Figure 2AA schematic diagram of a seat in which the inflatable body of the airbag is in a deployed position;

[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an airbag restraint system and a pulley system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0032] Figure 4 is a top view of a seat according to an exemplary embodiment with an airbag in a position where the airbag restraint system is deployed from a stowed position to Figure 5 An intermediate position between the expanded positions in ;

[0033] Figure 5 is a top view of a seat when the airbag restraint system is in a deployed position according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0034] Figure 6 is a side view of a seat when an airbag is in a deployed position according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 , the present disclosure shows an exemplary seat 10 disposed within an interior cockpit 14 of a vehicle 12. In one non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 12 is an autonomous vehicle. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to autonomous vehicles and that the seat 10 may also be used in manually operated vehicles. The vehicle 12 may be any type of vehicle, such as, but not limited to, a car, truck, sport utility vehicle, van, or RV. In another embodiment, the vehicle 12 may be an aircraft or marine vehicle. Furthermore, it should be understood that while Figure 1 The seat 10 is shown as a dedicated vehicle seat that is typically found within the interior cabin 14 of the vehicle 12, but in one embodiment, the seat 10 is another type of seat that is not a dedicated vehicle seat and is not typically found within the interior cabin 14 of the vehicle. For example, in another embodiment, the seat 10 is part of a wheelchair that is temporarily secured to the floor 30 of the vehicle 12.

[0037] The seat 10 includes a seat pan 20, a seat back 22, a seat cushion 26, and a back cushion 28. The seat cushion 26 is supported by the seat pan 20, and the back cushion 28 is supported by the seat back 22 of the seat 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the seat back 22 includes an upper portion 24 (eg, a headrest) that serves as a headrest for an occupant 38. Figure 2A-2C ). The seat pan 20 is operatively connected to the floor 30 of the interior cockpit 14 of the vehicle 12 via a support structure 32. Figure 1In the example shown, the support structure 32 allows the seat 10 to rotate relative to the floor 30 of the vehicle 12, however, it should be understood that Figure 1 This is merely exemplary in nature and the seat 10 may also be non-rotatable. For example, in another embodiment, the support structure 32 may also be a pair of seat rails. Figure 1 As shown, the seat 10 is provided with a seat belt 34. In one embodiment, the seat belt 34 is a three-point seat belt, however, it should be understood that other types of seat belts 34 may be used, such as a lap belt or a five-point seat belt.

[0038] Figure 2A-2C FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a seat 10 for an occupant 38 of a vehicle 12. The seat 10 includes Figure 2A-2C The airbag restraint system 40 shown in FIG. Figure 2A and Figure 2C , the airbag restraint system 40 includes an airbag 42 having an inflatable body 44 and a tether 52 connected to the inflatable body 44. The inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 includes a stowed position (eg, Figure 2A ) and the expanded position ( Figure 2C The expandable body 44 is received within the cavity 36 defined within the seat back 22 of the seat 10 (eg, Figure 2A Specifically, the cavity 36 is located at the upper portion 24 of the seat back 22 when in the stowed position.

[0039] The airbag 42 is deflated when in the stowed position and is inflated to expand from the stowed position to the deployed position. Figure 2B and Figure 2C shown in . Specifically, Figure 2B The air bag restraint system 40 is shown expanded from a stowed position to an intermediate position between the stowed position and the deployed position, and Figure 2C The airbag restraint system 40 is shown in a deployed position. Figure 2C In the deployed position shown, the airbag 42 is fully inflated. When in the deployed position, the inflatable body 44 of the airbag restraint system 40 surrounds a portion of the thorax 50 of the occupant 38 (at Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 4 and Figure 5 (see ).

[0040] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the tether 52 and the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42. The tether 52 includes a strap 54 connected to the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 at a first point A and a second point B. In one embodiment, the strap 54 is constructed of a woven seat belt material. Figure 2A, Figure 2C and Figure 3 , the belt 54 of the tether 52 is wound around a plurality of wheels 56 of a pulley system 58. The elongated belt 54 of the tether 52 is actuated by the pulley system 58. As described below, the actuation of the tether 52 by the pulley system 58 pushes the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 from the stowed position ( Figure 2A ) expands to the deployed position ( Figure 2C ).

[0041] Figure 4 is a top view of the seat 10 when the airbag restraint system 40 is deployed from the stowed position to the deployed position, and Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a top view of the seat 10 when the airbag restraint system 40 is in the deployed position. Figure 4 and Figure 5 When the airbag 42 is deployed from the stowed position to the deployed position, the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 inflates over the shoulder 46 and head 48 of the occupant 38. Figure 5 , when the airbag restraint system 40 is in the deployed position, the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 surrounds a portion 72 of the thorax 50 of the occupant 38. Specifically, a rear portion 74 of the thorax 50 of the occupant 38 is opposed to the seat back 22 of the seat 10. The portion 72 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 surrounding the thorax 50 of the occupant 38 omits the rear portion 74 of the occupant 38, which is opposed to the seat back 22 of the seat 10.

[0042] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5, the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 defines a front portion 80 and opposing sides 82. The front portion 80 and two opposing sides 82 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 are positioned to surround a portion 72 of the thorax 50. When the inflatable body 44 is in the deployed position, the front portion 80 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 is opposite to the occupant 38 positioned within the seat 10. Each opposing side 82 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 corresponds to one of the sagittal sides 64 (i.e., the left side and the right side) of the occupant 38. When the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 is in the deployed position, the opposing sides 82 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 face the corresponding sagittal side 64 of the occupant 38. Thus, when the vehicle 12 suddenly stops causing the airbag restraint system 40 to deploy, the front portion 80 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 limits the forward movement of the occupant 38, while the opposite sides 82 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 limit the lateral movement of the occupant 38 when in the deployed position. The opposite sides 82 of the inflatable body 44 can also provide additional side cushioning for side impact conditions. Thus, once the airbag restraint system 40 is deployed when the vehicle 12 suddenly stops, the movement of the thorax 50 of the occupant 38 is limited by the front portion 80 and the opposite sides 82 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42. Thus, the disclosed airbag restraint system 40 controls occupant excursions during frontal, oblique frontal, and side impact load conditions.

[0043] Figure 6 is a side view of the seat 10 when the air bag 42 is in the deployed position. Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 defines an upper side 84 and a lower side 86, wherein the upper side 84 of the airbag 42 faces the ceiling 16 ( Figure 1 ), and the underside 86 of the airbag 42 faces the floor 30 ( Figure 1 In one embodiment, the expandable body 44 of the airbag 42 defines an energy absorbing cross-section 88 located at the front portion 80 along the upper side 84 (at Figure 5-Figure 6 Indicated by dotted line).

[0044] The energy absorbing cross section 88 represents a portion of the inflatable body 44 that has an increased or increased volume when compared to the remainder of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42. Figure 6, when the vehicle 12 comes to a sudden stop during a collision, the increased volume of the energy absorbing cross-section 88 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 absorbs energy generated when the upper torso 78 of the occupant 38 pivots about the hip point H of the occupant 38 toward the front of the vehicle 12. The energy absorbing cross-section 88 of the inflatable body 44 represents the area of ​​increased volume that results in enhanced or additional energy absorption by the airbag 42 when the occupant 38 pivots about the hip point H toward the front of the vehicle 12. Therefore, it should be understood that in embodiments, the energy absorbing cross-section 88 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 may be omitted.

[0045] refer to Figure 3 , the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 defines a rear portion 90 opposite the front portion 80. The inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 defines four corners 92A, 92B, 92C, 92D, each of which is positioned at the rear portion 90 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42. The first wheel 56A of the pulley system 58 is disposed at a first corner 90A, which is positioned at the upper side 84 at one of the opposite sides 82 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42. The second wheel 56B of the pulley system 58 is disposed at a second corner 90B, which is positioned at the upper side 84 at the remaining opposite side 82 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42. Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The third wheel 56C of the pulley system 58 is arranged on the same side 96 of the seat 10 as the second wheel 56B (the side 96 of the seat 10 is on the same side 96 of the seat 10). Figure 4 and Figure 5 The third wheel 56C is positioned along the seat back 22 on the same side 96 of the seat 10 as the second wheel 56B. Figure 2A-2C In one embodiment, the third wheel 56C may be positioned at a lower center portion 98 of the seat back 22 .

[0046] The strap 54 of the tether 52 defines first and second ends 94. The first end 94 of the strap 54 of the tether 52 is connected to a first point A of the airbag 42. The first point A is disposed at a third corner 90C of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42. The second end 94 of the strap 54 of the tether 52 is fixedly attached to a second point B of the airbag 42. The second point B is disposed along the upper side 86 at the front portion 80 of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42. When the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 is inflated to the deployed position, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the first end 94 of the strap 54 of the tether 52 is moved in a downward direction 100 ( Figure 3) pushes the first point A of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42, while the second end of the strap 54 of the tether 52 is pushed in the outward direction 102 ( Figure 3 ) pushes a second point B of the inflatable body 44 of the airbag 42 toward the front 80.

[0047] Generally referring to the accompanying drawings, the disclosed airbag restraint system provides various technical effects and beneficial effects. Specifically, the airbag restraint system provides a method for controlling occupant displacement during frontal, oblique frontal and side impact load conditions by limiting the movement of the occupant during a collision. It should be understood that the airbag restraint system accommodates occupants when the seat is in a reclined position, for example, when the seat is in a highly reclined position as part of an autonomous vehicle. In addition, some automated seats may be rotatable, and conventional seat belts may not be able to accommodate an occupant who has rotated his or her seat so that he or she is no longer facing the front of the vehicle. The disclosed airbag restraint system provides a method for controlling occupant displacement during frontal, oblique frontal and side impact load conditions when the seat is rotated and no longer faces the front of the vehicle.

[0048] 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. These variations should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An airbag restraint system for an occupant seat in a vehicle, wherein: The seat includes a seat back defining a cavity, and wherein the airbag restraint system includes: An airbag, wherein the airbag comprises: an expandable body, wherein the expandable body of the airbag is capable of expanding from a stowed position to a deployed position, and when the expandable body of the airbag is in the stowed position, the expandable body of the airbag restraint system is deflated and stowed within a cavity defined by a seat back of the seat, and wherein when the expandable body of the airbag restraint system is in the deployed position, the expandable body of the airbag surrounds a portion of the thorax of the seat occupant.

2. The airbag restraint system according to claim 1, wherein: The expandable body defines a front portion.

3. The airbag restraint system according to claim 2, wherein: When the inflatable body is in the deployed position, a front portion of the inflatable body of the airbag is opposed to an occupant located in the seat.

4. The airbag restraint system according to claim 2, wherein: The inflatable body of the airbag defines an upper side and a lower side.

5. The airbag restraint system according to claim 4, wherein: An upper side of the airbag faces a ceiling of an interior cockpit of the vehicle, and a lower side of the airbag faces a floor of the interior cockpit of the vehicle.

6. The airbag restraint system according to claim 5, wherein: The inflatable body of the airbag defines an energy absorbing cross section, wherein the energy absorbing cross section is located at the front portion along an upper side of the inflatable body of the airbag.

7. The airbag restraint system according to claim 2, wherein: The expandable body defines opposing sides, each of the opposing sides corresponding to a respective one of the occupant's sagittal sides.

8. The airbag restraint system according to claim 7, wherein: Each of the opposing sides of the inflatable body of the airbag faces a respective sagittal side of the occupant when the inflatable body of the airbag is in the deployed position.

9. The airbag restraint system according to claim 7, wherein: A front portion of the inflatable body of the airbag restricts forward movement of the occupant, and an opposing side of the inflatable body of the airbag restricts lateral movement of the occupant.

10. The airbag restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a tether connected to the inflatable body of the airbag, wherein: The tether includes a webbing.

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