Dual-chamber airbag mounted in armrest

Abstract

A vehicle seat includes a backrest and an armrest connected to the backrest. An airbag is positioned in the armrest and can be inflated from a deflated to an inflated position. The airbag has a first chamber positioned to extend downwards from the armrest and a second chamber positioned to extend upwards from the armrest when the airbag is inflated.

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] This disclosure relates to an airbag assembly in vehicles. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with airbag assemblies that include an airbag and an inflator. In the event of certain vehicle impacts, the inflator is activated and supplies inflation fluid to the airbag. This pressurizes the airbag to control the kinematics of an occupant during certain vehicle impacts. Airbag assemblies can be located in various positions within the vehicle's passenger compartment. Vehicles may include airbags supported on a dashboard, side air curtains mounted on roof pillars, seat-mounted airbags, etc. SUMMARY

[0003] A vehicle seat includes a backrest and an armrest coupled to the backrest. An airbag is positioned in the armrest and is inflatable from a deflated position to an inflated position. The airbag includes a first chamber positioned to extend downward from the armrest and a second chamber positioned to extend upward from the armrest when the airbag is in the inflated position.

[0004] The armrest may be pivotally coupled to the backrest. The vehicle seat may include an actuator coupled to the armrest that can be operated to automatically move the armrest to a folded-down position. The actuator may be a motor and a worm gear.

[0005] The first chamber and the second chamber may at least partially overlap in the inflated position. At least one of the first chamber and the second chamber may include at least one vent. The first chamber and the second chamber may be rolled up in the deflated position.

[0006] The vehicle seat may include an inflator mounted on the seatback and in fluid communication with the airbag. The vehicle seat may include a fill tube extending from the inflator to the airbag.

[0007] A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom defining an occupant leg area and a seatback supported by the seat bottom and defining an occupant torso area. An armrest is coupled to the seatback, and an airbag is positioned in the armrest and inflatable from a deflated position to an inflated position. The airbag includes a first chamber positioned to extend downwardly from the armrest between the occupant leg area and the armrest, and a second chamber positioned to extend upwardly from the armrest adjacent the occupant torso area when the airbag is in the inflated position. The armrest may be pivotally coupled to the seatback and may include an actuator coupled to the armrest and operable to automatically move the armrest to a folded-down position.The actuator may be a motor and a worm gear. The vehicle seat may include an inflator in fluid communication with both the first chamber and the second chamber, operable to fill both the first chamber and the second chamber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a rear row seat with an armrest in a folded down position and an airbag in a deflated position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle with the airbag in an inflated position. Fig. 3 is an end cross-sectional view of the armrest and airbag. Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a system of the vehicle. Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a method executable by a vehicle computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Referring to the figures, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, a vehicle 10 includes a vehicle seat 12 having a backrest 14, a seat bottom 16, and an armrest 18 coupled to the backrest 14. An airbag 20 is positioned in the armrest 18 and is deployable from a deflated position ( Fig. 1) into an inflated position ( Fig. 2) Inflatable. The airbag 20 includes a first chamber 22 positioned to extend downwardly from the armrest 18 and a second chamber 24 positioned to extend upwardly from the armrest 18 when the airbag 20 is in the inflated position.

[0009] The provision of an airbag 20 with a first (e.g., lower) chamber 22 and a second (e.g., upper) chamber 24 allows the airbag stiffness to be selectively adjusted using vents 32 in the lower and upper chambers 22 and 24, respectively, to meet different stiffness requirements of the torso / thigh and head / neck / shoulder regions of the body. The provision of two chambers also allows the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 24 to partially overlap when in the inflated position to help prevent contact with the armrest 18. The rolled-up airbag 20, packed within the armrest 18, frees up space in the seatback 14 for other purposes.

[0010] The armrest 18 may be pivotally coupled to the seatback 14 and movable between a raised or stowed position (shown in phantom) and a lowered or user position. The seat 12 may include an actuator 26 coupled to the armrest 18 and operable to automatically move the armrest 18 to the lowered position. The actuator 26 may be a motor and a worm gear. When the presence of an occupant is detected, the actuator 26 is activated to move the armrest 18 to the lowered position if it is not already in the lowered position. The armrest 18 is locked in the lowered position by means of the worm gear assembly.When it is determined that the occupant is exiting the vehicle, the armrest 18 is unlocked so that the armrest 18 can be manually moved to the raised position to facilitate the occupant's exit / entry.

[0011] With reference to Fig. 1, the vehicle seat 12 may include an inflator 28 attached to the seatback 14 and in fluid communication with the airbag 20. The inflator 28 may be attached to the seatback 14, e.g., the seatback frame, in any suitable manner, e.g., a threaded fastener, a bracket, etc. The vehicle seat 12 may include an inflation tube 30 extending from the inflator 28 to the airbag 20. The inflator 28 may be in fluid communication with both the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 24 and operable to fill both the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 24. In other words, one or more inflation tubes may connect to the chambers to introduce gas into the first, second, or both chambers. The inflation tube 30 may be coiled to facilitate upward and downward movement of the armrest 18.

[0012] In response to certain vehicle impacts, the airbag 20 inflates relative to an occupant seating area of ​​the vehicle seat 12. The occupant seating area is the space occupied by an occupant properly seated in the seat. The occupant seating area is located in front of the seatback 14 and above and in front of the seat bottom 16 with respect to the vehicle. For example, the seat bottom 16 defines an occupant leg area 34 and the seatback 14 defines an occupant torso area 36. The inflator 28 expands the airbag 20 with an inflation medium, such as a gas, to move the airbag 20 from the deflated position to the inflated position. The inflator 28 may be, for example, a pyrotechnic inflator that ignites a chemical reaction to generate the inflation medium, a stored gas inflator that uses, for example, a gaseous fuel.releases gas stored through a pyrotechnic valve as an inflation medium, or be a mixed form.

[0013] In some examples, the seat 12 may include an armrest actuator 26 operatively coupled to the armrest 18 to move the armrest 18 from the stowed position to the user position. The actuator 26 may be of any suitable type to move the armrest 18 from the stowed position to the user position and from the user position to the stowed position. As mentioned above, the actuator 26 may be a motor and worm drive arrangement as known in the art. For example, a worm gear may be positioned on the armrest 18, and the motor may drive a worm screw that engages the worm gear. Worm drives are typically self-locking. In other words, the worm gear may not drive the worm gear. Accordingly, the armrest 18 may be locked in a position (e.g., the folded-down position) where the motor stops driving the worm gear.The worm gear assembly can be unlocked to allow a user to move the armrest 18 between the raised and lowered positions. For example, the worm gear can be coupled to the armrest 18 with a releasable clutch mechanism. When the clutch mechanism is disengaged, the armrest 18 can be moved manually.

[0014] To facilitate proper deployment of the airbag 20, the armrest 18 may be locked in the folded-down position when a seated occupant is seated in the seat 12. As used herein, "seated occupant" refers to a properly seated occupant sitting directly in the vehicle seat. The armrest 18 may be in the folded-up position when no seated occupant is detected in the seat 12 (e.g., when no occupant is seated in the seat 12, when an occupant sits down in the seat 12, when an occupant exits the seat 12, and / or when a child restraint system (not shown) is identified on the seat 12, thereby preventing the possibility of an occupant being properly seated in the seat). The armrest 18 may be in the raised position to allow an occupant to sit on the seat 12 or to allow an occupant to leave the seat 12.The armrest 18 remains in the raised position when a child restraint system is identified on the seat 12. In particular, the vehicle 10 may identify a child restraint system using an occupant classification system, sensors, cameras, weight sensors, a combination thereof, or any other suitable manner for identifying the child restraint system. As described further below, an occupancy sensor 50 may identify the child restraint system.

[0015] With reference to Fig. 2, the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 24 may at least partially overlap in the inflated position. At least one of the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 24 may include at least one vent 32. The vents 32 may be added to the upper and / or lower chambers of the airbag 20 to selectively control the stiffness / deflation characteristics for the occupant leg region 34 and the occupant torso region 36. The first chamber 22 is positioned to extend downwardly from the armrest 18 between the occupant leg region 34 and the armrest 18, and the second chamber 24 is positioned to extend upwardly from the armrest 18 adjacent the occupant torso region 36 when the airbag 20 is in the inflated position. Accordingly, the airbag 20 is positioned between the rear door 43 and the occupant seating area, e.g., the occupant leg area 34 and the occupant torso area 36.

[0016] The vehicle 10 may be any suitable type of automobile, e.g., a passenger or commercial vehicle, such as a sedan, a coupe, a truck, an SUV, a crossover, a van, a minivan, a taxi, a bus, etc. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body. The vehicle body may have a monocoque construction, a frame construction, or any suitable construction. In a monocoque construction, the vehicle body serves as the frame and the vehicle body (including the rocker panels, pillars, roof rails, etc.) is integrally formed, that is, as a continuous one-piece unit. As another example, in a frame construction (also referred to as a cab-on-frame construction), the vehicle body and the frame are separate components, that is, they are modular, and the vehicle body is supported on and attached to the frame.In other examples, the vehicle body may have any suitable construction. The vehicle body may be made of any suitable material, for example, steel, aluminum, etc.

[0017] The vehicle body includes a vehicle roof 38, vehicle pillars, body panels, a vehicle floor, etc. The vehicle body defines a passenger compartment 40 to accommodate occupants, if any, of the vehicle 10. The passenger compartment 40 may extend across the vehicle 10, i.e., from one side to the other side of the vehicle 10. The passenger compartment 40 includes a front end and a rear end, with the front end being in front of the rear end during forward movement of the vehicle 10.

[0018] The vehicle 10 defines a longitudinal vehicle axis L that extends between a front end (no reference number) and a rear end (no reference number) of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 defines a transverse vehicle axis C that extends transversely of the vehicle from one side of the vehicle 10 to the other side. The vehicle 10 defines a vertical axis V that extends through a vehicle floor and the vehicle roof 38. The longitudinal vehicle axis L, the transverse vehicle axis C, and the vertical axis V are perpendicular to each other.

[0019] The vehicle roof 38 and the vehicle floor are spaced apart from each other. In particular, the vehicle floor is spaced below the vehicle roof 38. The vehicle roof 38 defines the upper boundary of the passenger compartment 40 and may extend from the front end of the passenger compartment 40 to the rear end of the passenger compartment 40. The vehicle roof 38 may include roof pillars and a roof panel extending from one roof pillar to the other roof pillar. The roof panel may be non-removably attached to the roof pillars. In other words, the roof panel is secured to the roof pillars in such a way that removal requires destruction, such as cutting, e.g., cutting material and / or welding joints, etc. As one example, the roof panel may be attached to both roof pillars, e.g., by welding, fasteners, etc.

[0020] The vehicle floor defines the lower boundary of the passenger compartment 40 and may extend from the front end of the passenger compartment 40 to the rear end of the passenger compartment 40. The vehicle floor may include a covering, such as carpet, and may have a Class A surface facing the passenger compartment 40, i.e., a surface specifically manufactured to have a high-quality, refined aesthetic appearance without blemishes.

[0021] The vehicle body includes a body side 42. More specifically, the vehicle body includes two body sides 42 spaced apart transversely across the vehicle 10. The body side 42 is a side of the body located vehicle-outboard of the passenger compartment 40. The body sides 42 may be spaced apart along the vehicle transverse axis C on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis L and may be elongated along the longitudinal axis L. The body side 42 includes one or more door openings. The vehicle floor extends from one body side 42 to the other body side 42, and the vehicle roof 38 extends from one body side 42 to the other body side 42. The body side 42 may include a rear window opening adjacent a backrest 14 of a rear one of the vehicle seats 12.

[0022] The vehicle body, particularly each body side 42, may include pillars. In some examples, the pillars on the same body side 42 are separated by one of the door openings. For example, the vehicle body may include a rear pillar on each side of the vehicle 10. The rear pillar may extend between a tailgate and a rear door opening, and other pillars may be located forward of the rear pillars with respect to the vehicle, e.g., between adjacent doors. The vehicle 10 may include any suitable number of pillars on each body side 42. The pillars may extend from the vehicle roof 38 to the vehicle floor. The vehicle 10 includes vehicle doors 41 and 43 that are openable for occupants to enter and exit the passenger compartment 40. In the example shown in the figures, the vehicle 10 includes a front door 41 and a rear door 43 on each body side 42.The front door 41 is located along the longitudinal axis L of the vehicle 10 in front of the rear door 43 with respect to the vehicle.

[0023] The vehicle 10 may include one or more vehicle seats 12. In particular, the vehicle 10 may include any suitable number of vehicle seats 12. The vehicle seats 12 are supported by the vehicle floor. The vehicle seats 12 may be arranged in any suitable arrangement within the passenger compartment 40. One or more of the vehicle seats 12 may be located at the front end of the passenger compartment 40, e.g., in a front row. One or more of the vehicle seats 12 may be located as a rear row 44 behind the front end of the passenger compartment 40, e.g., at the rear end of the passenger compartment 40. In the example shown in the figures, the vehicle 10 includes a rear row 44. The rear row 44 in the figures may, in some examples, be a second row or a third row. The vehicle seats 12 may be of any suitable type, e.g., a bucket seat, a bench seat, etc.

[0024] As stated above, the seat includes the backrest 14 and the seat bottom 16. The vehicle seat 12 may include a headrest at each occupant seating area. The headrest may be supported by the backrest 14 and extend upwardly therefrom. The headrest may be stationary relative to the backrest 14 or selectively adjustable by an occupant.

[0025] The backrest 14 may be supported by the seat surface 16 and may be foldable relative to the seat surface 16 and / or reclinable relative to the seat surface 16 or may be stationary relative to the seat surface 16. The backrest 14 may extend from an upper end to a lower end. The lower end may be connected to the seat surface 16. The upper end of the backrest 14 may be spaced upwardly from the lower end of the backrest 14, i.e., upwardly from the seat surface 16. The headrest may extend upwardly from the upper end of the backrest 14. The backrest 14, the seat surface 16, and the headrest may be adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom. In particular, the backrest 14, the seat surface 16, and the headrest themselves may be adjustable. In other words, adjustable components within the backrest 14, the seat surface 16, and the headrest may be adjustable relative to one another.

[0026] The vehicle seat 12 includes a seat frame. The seat frame includes a backrest frame and a seat bottom frame, i.e., the backrest 14 includes the backrest frame and the seat bottom 16 includes the seat bottom frame. The seat frame may include panels and / or may include tubes, beams, etc. The seat frame may be made of any suitable plastic material (e.g., carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced semi-finished thermoplastic composite material (organic sheet), etc.), a suitable metal (e.g., steel, aluminum), etc.

[0027] The vehicle seat 12 includes a cover supported on the seat frame. The cover may be made of fabric, leather, synthetic leather, or any other suitable material. The vehicle seat 12 may include cushioning material between the cover and the seat frame. The cushioning material may be foam or any other suitable material. The cover may be sewn in panels around the seat frame and the cushioning material.

[0028] With reference to Fig. 3, the armrest 18 includes an armrest frame 46. The airbag 20 is supported by the armrest frame 46. Specifically, the airbag 20 is supported along a length of the frame 46. In an example where the airbag 20 includes a housing, the housing may be directly attached to the frame 46 of the armrest 18. The airbag 20 is supported by the armrest 18 in the deflated position and in the inflated position. In other words, the weight of the airbag 20 is supported by the armrest 18 in the deflated position and the inflated position. As one example, the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 24 may be rolled up as shown in the deflated position.

[0029] With further reference to Fig. 3, the airbag 20, in the inflated position (shown in phantom), includes a single volume with two chambers (i.e., the first chamber 22 and the second chamber 24) fluidly connected to each other via a narrow region 25. The narrow region 25 may be configured to selectively control the inflation / stiffness / deflation characteristics of the airbag chambers in addition to, or instead of, the vents 32.

[0030] The airbag 20 may be obscured by the cover 48, e.g., the trim cover of the armrest 18. In other words, the airbag 20 may be located between the frame 46 of the armrest 18 and the trim cover of the armrest 18. The cover 48 may include a tear seam (no reference numeral) associated with the airbag 20. The airbag 20 may extend through the tear seam when it inflates from the deflated position to the inflated position. The tear seam may be configured to rupture when subjected to a tensile force above a threshold amount. In other words, the cover 48 on one side of the tear seam will separate from the cover 48 on the other side of the tear seam when the force is above the threshold amount. The threshold amount may be selected to be above forces that, for example, B. caused by an occupant accidentally pressing against the seat, but is below forces caused by the deployment of the airbag 20.The tear seam may, for example, be a perforation line through the cover 48, a line with thinner cover material than in the rest of the cover 48, etc.

[0031] Although examples are described with respect to armrests on the outboard side of a seat, armrest-mounted airbags can also be applied to inboard armrests. The disclosed armrest-mounted airbags are also applicable to captain's chairs and bench seats with armrests.

[0032] The airbag 20 may be made of any suitable airbag material, e.g., a polymeric fabric. For example, the airbag 20 may be formed from a woven nylon yarn, e.g., nylon 6. Other suitable examples include polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), or any other suitable polymer. The polymeric fabric may include a coating, such as silicone, neoprene, urethane, polyorganosiloxane, etc. The airbag 20 may be a single, continuous unit, e.g., a single piece of fabric. Alternatively, the airbag 20 may include a plurality of segments, i.e., two or more. The segments may be attached to one another in any suitable manner, e.g., a plurality of panels attached by stitching, ultrasonic welding, etc.

[0033] With reference to Fig. 4, the vehicle 10 may include at least one occupancy sensor 50. In particular, the occupancy sensor 50 may be coupled to the seat 12 to identify whether a seated occupant is seated in the occupant seating area. The occupancy sensor 50 may be or be part of an occupant classification system that classifies the seated occupant sitting in the seat 12. For example, the occupancy sensors 50 may determine the size of the seated occupant. The occupancy sensor 50 may determine whether the seat 12 is occupied by a child restraint system. The occupant sensors may include cameras, weight sensors, etc., that determine and classify occupants of the seats 12. The occupant size may be defined as the occupant's height, weight, or other relevant physical characteristics that may be included in size measurements. The occupancy sensor 50 may communicate with the vehicle computer 52.

[0034] The vehicle 10 may include at least one impact sensor 54 for detecting certain vehicle impacts (e.g., impacts of a certain magnitude, direction, etc.) and a vehicle computer 52 in communication with the impact sensor 54, the occupancy sensor 50, the armrest sensor 26, the release mechanism 56, and the inflator 28. The vehicle computer 52 may activate the inflator 28, e.g., provide a pulse to a pyrotechnic charge of the inflator 28, when the impact sensor 54 detects certain vehicle impacts. Alternatively, or in addition to detecting certain vehicle impacts, the impact sensor 54 may be configured to detect certain vehicle impacts prior to impact, i.e., pre-impact detection. The impact sensor 54 is configured to detect certain vehicle impacts.In other words, a "specific vehicle impact" is an impact of the type and / or severity for which the inflation of the airbag 20 is configured, i.e., "specific" indicates the type and / or severity of the impact. The type and / or severity of such "specific vehicle impacts" may be pre-stored in the computer 52, e.g., a restraint control module and / or a body control module. The impact sensor 54 may be of any suitable type, for example, post-collision sensors such as accelerometers, pressure sensors, and contact switches; and pre-impact sensors such as radar, LIDAR, and image acquisition systems. The image acquisition systems may include one or more cameras, CCD image sensors, CMOS image sensors, etc. The impact sensor 54 may be located at numerous locations in or on the vehicle 10.

[0035] With further reference to Fig. 4, the vehicle computer 52 includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The memory includes one or more forms of non-transitory computer-readable media and stores instructions executable by the vehicle computer 52 for performing various operations, including those disclosed herein. The vehicle computer 52 may be a restraint control module. The vehicle computer 52 may be a general-purpose computer having the processor and memory as described above, and / or an electronic control unit (ECU) or a controller for a specific function or set of functions, and / or a dedicated electronic circuit including an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) manufactured for a specific operation, e.g.,an ASIC for processing sensor data and / or communicating the sensor data. In another example, the vehicle computer 52 may include an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), which is an integrated circuit manufactured to be user-configurable. Typically, a hardware description language such as VHDL (very high-speed integrated circuit hardware description language) is used in electronic design automation to describe digital and mixed-signal systems, such as FPGAs and ASICs. For example, an ASIC is manufactured based on VHDL programming provided prior to manufacturing, whereas logical components inside an FPGA may be configured based on VHDL programming, for example,stored in a memory electrically connected to the FPGA circuit. In some examples, a combination of processor(s), ASIC(s), and / or FPGA circuits may be included in the vehicle computer 52.

[0036] The vehicle computer 52 is generally arranged for communication in a vehicle communication network 58, which may include a bus within the vehicle 10, such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) or the like, and / or other wired and / or wireless mechanisms. Alternatively or additionally, in cases where the vehicle computer 52 actually includes a plurality of devices, the vehicle communication network 58 may be used for communication between devices, which are depicted in this disclosure as the vehicle computer 52. Further, as noted below, various controllers and / or sensors may provide data to the vehicle computer 52 via the vehicle communication network 58.

[0037] With reference to Fig.5, the vehicle computer 52 stores instructions for controlling components of the vehicle 10 according to a method 500. In particular, the method 500 includes moving the armrest 18 from the raised position to the lowered position and, optionally, unlocking the armrest 18. Any use of "based on" and "in response to," including with reference to the method 500, herein indicates a causal relationship, not merely a temporal one. Operations, systems, and procedures described in this document should always be implemented and / or performed in accordance with any applicable owner / user manual and / or safety guidelines.

[0038] Referring to decision block 502, method 500 includes detecting occupancy of seat 12 by a seated occupant. Occupancy sensor 50 may indicate to vehicle computer 52 that a seated occupant is detected in seat 12. If a seated occupant is detected, method 500 proceeds to block 504. If no seated occupant is detected (e.g., occupancy sensor 50 detects that no occupant is properly seated in seat 12, occupancy sensor 50 detects a child restraint system, indicating that no occupant is in seat 12, etc.), method 500 returns to the start.

[0039] Referring to decision block 504, in response to detecting the seated occupant, the method 500 determines whether the armrest 18 is in the folded position. If it is determined that the armrest 18 is in the folded position, the method 500 proceeds to block 508. If it is not determined that the armrest 18 is in the folded position (e.g., the armrest is in the raised position or somewhere between the raised position and the folded position), the method 500 proceeds to block 506. At block 506, the vehicle computer 52 may send a signal to the armrest actuator 26 to move the armrest 18 toward the folded position. Moving the armrest 18 toward the folded position may include engaging the worm drive by engaging the clutch on the worm gear.

[0040] Referring to decision block 508, the method 500 includes determining whether the occupant is exiting the seat 12. In some examples, the occupant may manually indicate that the occupant is exiting the seat 12, e.g., by activating a button or switch supported by any suitable component of the vehicle 10, such as the seat 12 or an instrument panel. In other examples, sensors may indicate that the occupant is exiting the seat 12, e.g., through cameras, weight sensors, door sensors, etc. In response to determining that the occupant is exiting the seat 12, the method 500 proceeds to block 510. If it is determined that the occupant is not exiting the seat 12, the block proceeds to block 512.

[0041] At block 510, method 500 includes unlocking armrest 18 so that an occupant can manually move armrest 18 from the folded-down position to the folded-up position. Vehicle computer 52 may activate release mechanism 56 based on decision block 508 (e.g., disengage the clutch on the worm gear). In other examples, armrest 18 may be manually unlocked, for example, by pressing a button on armrest 18. After armrest 18 is unlocked, method 500 returns to decision block 502 to identify whether an occupant is sitting on seat 12.

[0042] Referring to decision block 512, in response to determining that the occupant is not exiting the vehicle 10, the method 500 includes identifying whether an impact has occurred to the vehicle 10. If an impact, the impact sensors 54 communicate the occurrence of the impact to the computer 52. If an impact is identified, the method 500 proceeds to block 514. If no impact is identified, the method 500 returns to decision block 508 to determine whether the occupant is exiting the seat 12.

[0043] Referring to block 514, method 500 includes inflating airbag 20 to the inflated position. Inflator 28 directs inflation fluid through fill tubes 30 to inflate airbag 20 to the inflated position. Method 500 ends after airbag 20 is inflated.

[0044] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is understood that the terminology used is intended to be descriptive rather than limiting. The numerical adverbials "first," "second," and "third" are used herein as identifiers only and do not indicate order or importance. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

[0045] According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle seat comprising: a backrest; an armrest coupled to the backrest; and an airbag positioned in the armrest and inflatable from a deflated position to an inflated position, the airbag including: a first chamber positioned to extend downwardly from the armrest; and a second chamber positioned to extend upwardly from the armrest when the airbag is in the inflated position.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the armrest is rotatably coupled to the backrest.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by an actuator coupled to the armrest and operable to automatically move the armrest into a folded-down position.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the actuator comprises a motor and a worm gear.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the first chamber and the second chamber at least partially overlap in the inflated position.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the first chamber and the second chamber at least partially overlap in the inflated position.

[0051] According to one embodiment, at least one of the first chamber and the second chamber includes at least one vent.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the first chamber and the second chamber are rolled up in the uninflated position.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by an inflator mounted on the seat back and in fluid communication with the airbag.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a filling tube extending from the inflator to the airbag.

[0055] According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle seat comprising: a seat bottom defining an occupant leg region; a seat back supported by the seat bottom and defining an occupant torso region; an armrest coupled to the seat back; and an airbag positioned in the armrest and inflatable from a deflated position to an inflated position, the airbag including: a first chamber positioned to extend downwardly from the armrest between the occupant leg region and the armrest; and a second chamber positioned to extend upwardly from the armrest adjacent the occupant torso region when the airbag is in the inflated position.

[0056] According to one, the armrest is rotatably coupled to the backrest and further comprises an actuator coupled to the armrest and operable to automatically move the armrest to a folded-down position.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the actuator comprises a motor and a worm gear.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the first chamber and the second chamber are rolled up in the uninflated position.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the first chamber and the second chamber at least partially overlap in the inflated position.

[0060] According to one embodiment, at least one of the first chamber and the second chamber includes at least one vent.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by an inflator mounted on the seat back and in fluid communication with the airbag.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a filling tube extending from the inflator to the airbag.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by an inflator in fluid communication with both the first chamber and the second chamber, operable to fill both the first chamber and the second chamber.

Claims

[1] Vehicle seat, comprising: a backrest; an armrest coupled to the backrest; and an airbag positioned in the armrest and inflatable from a deflated position to an inflated position, the airbag comprising: a first chamber positioned to extend downwardly from the armrest; and a second chamber positioned to extend upward from the armrest when the airbag is in the inflated position. [2] The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the armrest is rotatably coupled to the backrest. [3] The vehicle seat of claim 2, further comprising an actuator coupled to the armrest and operable to automatically move the armrest to a folded-down position. [4] The vehicle seat of claim 3, wherein the actuator comprises a motor and a worm gear. [5] The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first chamber and the second chamber includes at least one vent. [6] The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are rolled up in the uninflated position. [7] A vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber at least partially overlap in the inflated position. [8] The vehicle seat of claim 1, further comprising an inflator mounted on the seat back and in fluid communication with the airbag. [9] The vehicle seat of claim 8, further comprising a fill tube extending from the inflator to the airbag. [10] The vehicle seat of claim 1, further comprising a seat bottom defining an occupant leg region and the backrest defining an occupant torso region, and wherein the first chamber is positioned to extend downwardly from the armrest between the occupant leg region and the armrest, and the second chamber is positioned to extend upwardly from the armrest adjacent the occupant torso region. [11] The vehicle seat of claim 10, further comprising an inflator in fluid communication with both the first chamber and the second chamber, operable to fill both the first chamber and the second chamber. [12] The vehicle seat of claim 10, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber at least partially overlap in the inflated position. [13] A vehicle seat according to any one of claims 10-12, further comprising an actuator coupled to the armrest and operable to automatically move the armrest to a folded-down position.

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