Occupant protection system including ceiling trim panel

Abstract

To provide an occupant protection system including ceiling trim panels.SOLUTION: An occupant protection system for a vehicle may include an expandable curtain and / or an expandable bladder configured to be expanded from a stowed state to a deployed state. The system may also include a transverse ceiling trim panel and one or more side ceiling trim panels configured to be coupled to a ceiling of the vehicle, with the transverse ceiling trim panel extending substantially transversely with respect to the one or more side ceiling trim panels. Portions of the ceiling trim panels may be configured to deviate to allow expansion of the expandable curtain and / or the expandable bladder. The system may also include a deployment controller and be configured to cause deployment of the expandable curtain at a first time and deployment of the expandable bladder at a second time after the first time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an occupant protection system that includes a ceiling trim panel. [Background technology]

[0002] This PCT international application claims the benefit of U.S. priority application Ser. No. 16 / 368,603, filed March 28, 2019, and U.S. application Ser. No. 16 / 368,663, filed March 28, 2019, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Airbags are commonly used to protect vehicle occupants from injury associated with a vehicle crash. Airbag systems often include an airbag and an inflator for supplying gas to the airbag for inflating the airbag. When involved in a crash, the airbag can rapidly inflate to create a cushion between the occupant and surfaces within the vehicle's interior. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0004] The detailed description will be set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the leftmost digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears, and the same reference numbers in different drawings indicate similar or identical items.

[0005] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary vehicle including an exemplary occupant protection system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the example vehicle shown in FIG. 1 with the example inflatable curtain and the example inflatable bladder shown in a deployed state. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example system for implementing the techniques described herein. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary set of inflatable curtains shown in a deployed state. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the exemplary inflatable curtain illustrated in FIG. 4 with the exemplary inflatable bladder in an expanded state with the inflatable bladder in an exemplary orientation relative to the inflatable curtain. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an occupant of an exemplary vehicle prior to contacting an exemplary inflatable bladder supported by an exemplary inflatable curtain. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary occupant contacting the exemplary expandable bladder from FIG. 6A. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an exemplary vehicle ceiling illustrating an exemplary layout of a ceiling trim panel and an inflator for an occupant protection system. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8 is a partial side cross-sectional schematic view of the inflatable curtain and inflatable bladder in an exemplary stored state along line AA of FIG. 7. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional schematic view of an exemplary partial side view shown in FIG. 8A illustrating a first example in an exemplary deployment sequence in which, upon activation of the inflator, one of the inflatable curtains and one of the inflatable bladders begin to deploy as an exemplary cross ceiling trim panel deflects. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exemplary partial side view shown in FIG. 8A, illustrating a second example in an exemplary deployment sequence, with both the inflatable curtain and the inflatable bladder fully deployed. [Figure 9A] FIG. 8 is a partial side cross-sectional schematic view of an exemplary expandable curtain and expandable bladder in a stowed state taken along line AA of FIG. 7. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional schematic view of an exemplary partial side view as shown in FIG. 9A, illustrating a first example of an exemplary deployment sequence having both an inflatable curtain and an inflatable bladder that begin to deploy as an associated inflator is activated as an exemplary cross ceiling trim panel deflects. [Figure 9C]FIG. 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exemplary partial side view shown in FIG. 9A, illustrating a second example in an exemplary deployment sequence, with both inflatable curtains and both inflatable bladders fully deployed. [Figure 10A] 8 is a schematic partial side cross-sectional view of the side of an exemplary inflatable curtain in a stowed state covered by an exemplary bonded ceiling trim panel along line BB of FIG. 7. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional schematic view of an exemplary partial side view shown in FIG. 10A, illustrating a first example in an exemplary deployment sequence in which an inflator is activated to initiate deployment having a side of an inflatable curtain as an exemplary joined ceiling trim panel deflects. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional schematic view of the exemplary partial side view shown in FIG. 10A with the side of the inflatable curtain fully deployed, illustrating a second example in an exemplary deployment sequence. [Figure 11A] 8 is a schematic partial side cross-sectional view of the side of an exemplary inflatable curtain in a stowed state covered by a side of an exemplary ceiling trim panel along line CC of FIG. 7. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional schematic view of an exemplary partial side view shown in FIG. 11A, illustrating a first example in an exemplary deployment sequence in which an inflator is activated to initiate deployment having a side of an inflatable curtain as an exemplary joined ceiling trim panel deflects. [Figure 11C] FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional schematic view of the exemplary partial side view shown in FIG. 11A with the side of the inflatable curtain fully deployed, illustrating a second example in an exemplary deployment sequence. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a block diagram including an example architecture for an occupant protection system. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for deploying an expandable occupant protection system to a ceiling trim panel. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for deploying an expandable occupant protection system using an inflator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] As mentioned above, airbags can be used to protect vehicle occupants from injury during a crash involving the vehicle. An airbag system can include an airbag and an inflator for supplying gas to the airbag for inflating the airbag. When involved in a crash, the airbag can be rapidly inflated to create a cushion between the occupant and the interior surfaces of the vehicle. However, different vehicle designs can pose difficulties in protecting occupants with conventional airbags. For example, conventional airbags, once deployed, rely on support from interior structures of the vehicle, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, and interior panels, to provide the airbag with the ability to stop the occupant's movement during a crash. Some vehicle designs are not provided with such interior structures in all locations where an occupant may be seated, and thus, conventional airbags cannot effectively protect such occupants. For example, in vehicles having carriage-style seats where occupants face each other toward the center of the vehicle, there may be limited or no structures directly in front of the vehicle occupants. Additionally, the components of the airbag system occupy space within the vehicle and add weight to the vehicle, making it difficult to locate the components of the airbag system in a location within the vehicle that allows the airbag to deploy in sufficient proportions and / or with sufficient dimensions to protect the occupant. Additionally, it can be difficult to quickly and effectively deploy an airbag that is hidden from view beneath interior panels of the vehicle. Certain embodiments disclosed herein may address or mitigate at least some of the above-mentioned shortcomings.

[0007] The present disclosure is generally directed to, but is not limited to, apparatus, systems, and methods for deploying an occupant protection system in a vehicle, such as a vehicle having a carriage-style seating arrangement. For example, a carriage-style seating arrangement may include a variety of seats spaced apart from one another and facing one another within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In such an example, a central area of ​​the passenger compartment disposed between the seats may be an open space substantially devoid of interior structure. The occupant protection system may include an inflatable curtain and / or an inflatable bladder configured to arrest occupant movement during a crash involving the vehicle. The inflatable curtain may be deployed to provide a reactive surface within the passenger compartment that may contact objects, occupants, and / or the inflatable bladder. For example, the inflatable bladder may include an occupant-facing surface and a rear surface, which may be supported by the reactive surface provided by the inflatable curtain to, for example, help arrest occupant movement during a crash. In certain examples, the inflatable curtain may include a transverse portion extending at least partially across an interior of the vehicle including the reaction surface, and first and second opposing sides spaced apart from one another and extending perpendicular to the transverse portion. In certain such examples, a ceiling trim system may be provided and may include a ceiling trim panel configured to deflect upon deployment of the inflatable curtain such that one or more openings are created through the transverse portion and the first and second sides of the inflatable curtain to deploy.

[0008] In some examples, one or more inflators may be provided to cause deployment of one or more inflatable curtains and / or one or more inflatable bladders. In some examples, a first inflator may be activated at a first time to deploy at least a portion of at least one inflatable curtain, and a second inflator may be activated at a second time subsequent to the first time to deploy at least one inflatable bladder. In some such examples, the first inflator may have sufficient capacity to deflect one or more ceiling trim panels such that the one or more inflatable curtains and / or one or more inflatable bladders may be deployed through one or more openings created by the deflection of the ceiling trim panel.

[0009] For example, an occupant protection system for a vehicle may include an inflatable curtain configured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state having a length configured to extend at least a portion of a distance between a roof of the vehicle and a floor of the vehicle. The inflatable curtain in the deployed state may include a first side configured to extend along a portion of a first interior side of the vehicle in a first direction, and a second side configured to extend away from the first side in a direction substantially parallel to the first direction. The inflatable curtain in the deployed state may also include a transverse portion extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction. The transverse portion may be configured to provide a reactive surface, and the first side, the transverse portion, and the second side of the inflatable curtain may form an adjacent boundary. The occupant protection system may also include an expandable bladder including an occupant-facing surface and a rear surface opposite the occupant-facing surface. The expandable bladder may be configured to expand from the stowed state to the deployed state such that a rear surface of the expandable bladder in the deployed state contacts the reactive surface of the transverse portion. The occupant protection system may also include a transverse ceiling trim panel coupled to the vehicle ceiling and configured to extend substantially parallel in the second direction. The transverse ceiling trim panel may be configured to deflect to cover a transverse portion of the inflatable curtain in the stowed state and allow the transverse portion to be extended to the deployed state. The occupant protection system may also include a first side ceiling trim panel coupled to the vehicle ceiling and configured to extend substantially parallel in the first direction. The first side ceiling trim panel may be configured to deflect to cover a first side of the inflatable curtain in the stowed state and allow the first side to be extended to the deployed state. In one example, the occupant protection system may also include a second side ceiling trim panel coupled to the vehicle ceiling and configured to extend substantially parallel in the first direction. The second side ceiling trim panel may be configured to deflect to cover a second side of the inflatable curtain in the stowed state and allow the second side to be extended to the deployed state.In one example, the first side ceiling trim panel, the cross ceiling trim panel, and the second side ceiling trim panel may be configured to diverge through the first side of the inflatable curtain to form a substantially continuous opening, and the cross portion of the inflatable curtain and the second side of the inflatable curtain may unfold.

[0010] In some examples, the transverse ceiling trim panel may define a transverse seam extending substantially parallel to the second direction, the transverse seam configured to generate a transverse opening through which a transverse portion of the inflatable curtain passes when expanding from the stowed state to the deployed state. The "seam" may be defined, for example, by one or more respective edges of the trim panel, where the respective edges meet with a portion of the vehicle, and / or the "seam" may be defined, for example, by an area of ​​weakness caused in the trim panel, such as a line of reduced material thickness, a line scored in a surface of the trim panel, and / or a perforation in the trim panel. In some examples, the transverse ceiling trim panel may include, for example, a living hinge spaced from the seam to facilitate deflection of the transverse ceiling trim panel.

[0011] In some examples, the ceiling trim panel of the first side may define a longitudinal seam extending substantially parallel to the first direction, the longitudinal seam configured to create a longitudinal opening through which the first side of the inflatable curtain passes when expanded from the stowed state to the deployed state. The ceiling trim panel of the second side may define a longitudinal seam extending substantially parallel to the first direction, the longitudinal seam configured to create a longitudinal opening through which the second side of the inflatable curtain passes when expanded from the stowed state to the deployed state. In some examples, the ceiling trim panel of the first side may include, for example, a living hinge spaced from the seam to facilitate deflection of the ceiling trim panel of the first side.

[0012] In some examples, the occupant protection system may also include a first inflator in flow communication with the inflatable curtain and configured to expand the inflatable curtain from a stowed state to a deployed state upon activation of the first inflator. The occupant protection system may also include a second inflator in flow communication with the inflatable bladder and configured to expand the inflatable bladder from a stowed state to a deployed state upon activation of the second inflator. In some examples, the occupant protection system may also include a deployment controller in flow communication with the first inflator and the second inflator and configured to activate the first inflator and the second inflator. In some examples, the deployment controller may be configured to sequentially activate the first inflator before activating the second inflator. In some such examples, the first inflator may have sufficient capability to deflect one or more ceiling trim panels to create an opening through at least a portion of at least one of the inflatable curtain or the inflatable bladder that may be deployed.

[0013] In some examples of occupant protection systems, the first inflator may include two or more inflators (e.g., three inflators) configured to deploy a first side of the inflatable curtain, a cross portion of the inflatable curtain, and a second side of the inflatable curtain. Some examples of occupant protection systems (e.g., for vehicles with carriage-style seats) may include a second inflatable curtain and the first inflator may be configured to deploy the first inflatable curtain and the second inflatable curtain. Some examples may include two or more inflators (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) configured to deploy the first inflatable curtain and the second inflatable curtain. In some examples, the first and second inflatable curtains may be deployed together, either via a common inflator or two or more separate inflators, and / or in some examples, the first and second inflatable curtains may be deployed independently of one another, such that, for example, one of the first or second inflatable curtains is deployed while the other of the first or second inflatable curtains remains in a stowed state.

[0014] Some implementations of an occupant protection system may include multiple expandable bladders, e.g., expandable bladders corresponding to each seat or each passenger position in a vehicle. In some such implementations, one inflator may be configured to deploy all the expandable bladders together. In some implementations, one inflator may be configured to deploy two or more expandable bladders together. For example, one inflator may be configured to deploy two or more expandable bladders associated with a common inflatable curtain. In other implementations, an inflator may be provided for each of the inflatable bladders, and the inflators may be activated together, at the same time, or independently of one another, at different times.

[0015] The techniques and systems described herein may be implemented in a number of ways. Exemplary implementations are provided below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an interior 100 of an exemplary vehicle 102 including a set of occupants 104. The exemplary vehicle 102 may be configured to travel from one geographic location to a destination carrying one or more occupants 104 over a road network. For example, the interior 100 may include a number of seats 106, which may be provided in any relative arrangement. The exemplary vehicle 102 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an exemplary carriage-style seating arrangement in a substantially central portion of the interior 100 of the vehicle 102. For example, the vehicle 102 may include two or more rows 108 of seats 106, and in one example, two of the rows 108 of seats 106 may face each other, as illustrated in FIG. 1 for example. One or more of the rows 108 of seats 106 may include two seats 106 (e.g., seats 106A and 106B). Other relative arrangements and numbers of seats 106 are contemplated.

[0017] For purposes of illustration, the vehicle 102 may be a driverless vehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle configured to operate according to a Level 5 classification issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which describes a vehicle that is capable of performing all safety-critical functions for the entire journey without the expectation of a driver (or passenger) being in control of the vehicle at all times. In such an example, the vehicle 102 may be configured to control all functions from the start to the completion of the journey, including all parking functions, and may not include a driver and / or controls for driving the vehicle 102, such as a steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and / or brake pedal. This is merely an example, and the systems and methods described herein may be incorporated into any land, air, or water vehicle, including vehicles ranging from those that must be manually controlled by a driver at all times to those that are partially or fully autonomously controlled.

[0018] The exemplary vehicle 102 may be any configuration of vehicle, such as, for example, a van, a sports utility vehicle, a crossover vehicle, a truck, a bus, an agricultural vehicle, and / or a construction vehicle. The vehicle 102 may be powered by one or more internal combustion engines, one or more electric motors, hydrogen fuel, any combination thereof, and / or any other suitable power source. Although the exemplary vehicle 102 has four wheels 110, the systems and methods described herein may be incorporated into vehicles having a fewer or greater number of wheels, tires, and / or tracks. The exemplary vehicle 102 may have four-wheel steering, such that the vehicle 102 can be operated with generally substantially equal performance characteristics in all directions, for example, when moving in a first direction 114, the first end 112 of the vehicle 102 is the front end of the vehicle 102, and when moving in an opposite second direction 116, the first end 112 is the rear end of the vehicle 102, as illustrated in FIG. 1 . Similarly, when moving in the second direction 116, the second end 118 of the vehicle 102 is the front end of the vehicle 102, whereas when moving in the opposite first direction 114, the second end 118 is the rear end of the vehicle 102. These example features can make maneuverability easier in tight spaces or crowded environments, such as parking lots and urban areas.

[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle 102 may include an occupant protection system 120 configured to protect one or more occupants 104 during a crash involving the vehicle 102. For example, the occupant protection system 120 may include one or more inflatable curtains 122, one or more inflatable bladders 124, and a deployment controller 126 configured to control the deployment of the one or more inflatable curtains 122 and the one or more inflatable bladders 124, e.g., from a stowed state, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 1, to a deployed state, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4-6B. In certain examples, the occupant protection system 120 may also include a seat belt system including a seat belt for each of the one or more occupants 104, e.g., as described in more detail herein. The inflatable curtains 122 and / or the inflatable bladders 124 may be formed, e.g., from a woven nylon fabric and / or other similar material or material having suitable characteristics.

[0020] 1, the example vehicle 102 includes a chassis 128 that includes a vehicle roof 130 having a housing 132 configured to receive the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124, each in a stowed (e.g., unexpanded) state. In some examples, the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124 may be individually stored in separate housings. In some examples (e.g., those examples in which portions of the inflatable curtain are separate from one another), each portion may be individually stored in a separate housing. In one example, upon receiving one or more signals from the vehicle 102, the deployment controller 126 may be configured to actuate one or more inflators 134 in flow communication with the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124 such that the inflators 134 provide fluid or gas to the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124 to rapidly expand the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124 from their stowed state (FIG. 1) to their respective deployed states, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4-6B. For example, the inflators 134 may include a gas generator, a pyrotechnic charge, a propellant, any combination thereof, and / or any other suitable device or system. The inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124 may be configured to deploy in less than 100 milliseconds, or in less than 50 milliseconds, for example. As described herein, the inflatable curtain 122 and / or inflatable bladder 124 in a deployed state can protect the occupant 104 from injury (or reduce the likelihood or severity of injury) by providing a cushion between the occupant 104 and the interior structure of the vehicle 102 during a crash involving the vehicle 102, thereby preventing the occupant 104 from being thrown into the interior structure and / or, in some instances, from being ejected from the vehicle 102.

[0021] 2 illustrates an example occupant protection system 120 with an example inflatable curtain 122 and an example first inflatable bladder 124A and an example second inflatable bladder 124B in a deployed (e.g., expanded) state, with the occupant omitted for clarity. In the example shown, the inflatable curtain 122 is deployed from and coupled to the vehicle roof 130 at attachment points 200. In some examples, the inflatable curtain 122 may be indirectly coupled to and supported by the vehicle roof 130, for example, via an intermediate connection.

[0022] The exemplary inflatable curtain 122 may be configured to be expanded from a stowed state, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, to an expanded state, such as illustrated in FIG. 2, and has a length configured to extend at least a portion of the distance between the vehicle roof 130 and the vehicle floor 202. As shown, in one example, the inflatable curtain 122 extends toward the vehicle floor 202 and terminates at a spaced apart location above the vehicle floor 202. In one example, the inflatable curtain 122 may extend to the vehicle floor 202 and terminate at the vehicle floor 202. In the example shown, the inflatable curtain 122 in the expanded state may include a first side 204 configured to extend along a portion of a first interior side 206 of the vehicle 102. For example, the first side 204 of the inflatable curtain 122 may extend in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the first interior side 206 of the vehicle 102. In some examples, the first side 204 of the inflatable curtain 122 may be deployed from a housing located over an opening 208 in the first interior side 206 and / or may be deployed from the vehicle roof 130. In some examples, the first side 204 of the inflatable curtain 122 may be inflatable and configured to provide cushioning between the occupant 104 and the first interior side 206 of the vehicle 102.

[0023] In certain examples, the inflatable curtain 122 may also include a second side 210 (not shown in FIG. 2 due to the constraints of the provided illustration) that is spaced apart from and opposite the first side 204 and configured to extend along a portion of the second interior side of the vehicle 102. The first interior side and the second interior side of the vehicle 102 may be on opposite sides of the vehicle 102 and may extend substantially parallel to one another. In certain examples, the second side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122 may have similar or identical structure, position, storage, and / or deployment characteristics as the first side 204 of the inflatable curtain 122, except that it may be located on the second interior side of the vehicle 102 and may be different to accommodate the difference of being on the second interior side of the vehicle 102 instead of the first interior side 206.

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the exemplary inflatable curtain 122 may also include a transverse portion 212 extending between the first side 204 and the second side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122. In some examples, the first side 204, the second side 210, and the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122 form adjacent boundaries. For example, the first side 204, the second side 210, and the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122 may define a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional area generated by a plane perpendicular to its length. In some examples, the first side 204, the second side 210, and the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122 form a continuous boundary. In some examples, one or more of the first side 204, the second side 210, or the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122 may include an additional inflatable portion (e.g., a channel) disposed adjacent the vehicle roof 130. The one or more additional inflatable portions may aid in deployment of the first side 204, the second side 210, and / or the cross portion 212 from the housing 132 when deployment of the inflatable curtain 122 begins. For example, the one or more additional inflatable portions may aid in forcing open portions of the interior trim of the vehicle 102 configured to allow the inflatable curtain to deploy from beneath the trim, for example, as described herein with respect to FIGS. 7-11C. In certain instances, the first side 204, the second side 210, and / or the cross portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122 may not form a continuous boundary or seat, e.g., the cross portion 212 includes material to form a reaction surface and other portions of the cross portion 212 include cutouts.

[0025] In one example, the occupant protection system 120 may include a first tether 214 coupled to a first side 204 and / or a cross portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122, such as, for example, a vehicle floor 202 associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly connected to) a first interior side 206 (e.g., an interior panel or structural member of the vehicle chassis 128) or a vehicle roof 130 of the vehicle 102, as illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, the first tether 214 may be coupled at one end to a free end of the first side 204 of the inflatable curtain 122 and at a second end to an anchor associated with the first interior side 206 of the vehicle 102 and / or the vehicle roof 130. The occupant protection system 120 may also include a second tether 216 coupled to the second side 210 and / or the cross portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122 and may be configured to be coupled, e.g., in at least a similar manner as the first tether 214, to a portion of the vehicle 102, such as a portion associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly coupled to) the second interior side, the vehicle floor 202, or the vehicle roof 130 of the vehicle 102. In one example, the first tether 214 and the second tether 216 may help prevent the inflatable curtain 122 from swinging away from the occupant 104 during a crash when deployed, e.g., such that the occupant 104 directly or indirectly contacts the inflatable curtain 122, as described herein.

[0026] 2, the expandable bladders 124A and 124B are deployed from the vehicle roof 130 and coupled to the vehicle roof 130 at attachment points 218. For example, the expandable bladders 124A and 124B illustrated in FIG. 2 are expanded from a stowed state to a deployed state and may be associated (e.g., directly or indirectly coupled) with the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122 such that, for example, the inflatable curtain 122 may support the expandable bladders 124A and 124B when the occupant 104 contacts one of the expandable bladders 124A and 124B as the occupant 104 is urged forward toward the facing direction of the seat 106 and toward the expandable bladders 124A and 124B (i.e., from left to right as illustrated in FIG. 2). For example, the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122 includes a support side 220 that creates a reaction surface facing the seat 106 and the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B, such that as the occupant 104 contacts one of the inflatable bladders 124A or 124B, the inflatable bladder 124A or 124B presses against the support side 220 of the inflatable curtain 122. The inflatable curtain 122 is suspended from the vehicle roof 130 (or adjacent thereto) at attachment point 200 and supported by a first tether 214 and / or a second tether 216 that prevents the inflatable curtain 122 from swinging freely at attachment point 200 in the direction in which the seat 106 is facing and in the direction in which the occupant 104 is moving during a crash. In this exemplary manner, the occupant protection system 120 can protect the occupant 104 during a crash in which the vehicle 102 is involved, for example, by preventing the occupant 104 from colliding with the interior structure of the vehicle 102 in an uncushioned or unprotected manner and / or, in certain instances, by preventing the occupant 104 from being ejected from the vehicle 102.

[0027] 2, at least a portion of the first side 204 of the inflatable curtain 122 and at least a portion of the second side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122 extend away from the support side 220 of the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122. In one example, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, one or more of the inflatable bladders 124A or 124B may be associated (e.g., directly or indirectly coupled) with the support side 220 of the transverse portion 212 and may be disposed between the first side 204 and the second side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122.

[0028] 2, for example, the first expandable bladder 124A and / or the second expandable bladder 124B may each be configured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state associated with the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122. In some examples, the first expandable bladder 124A and / or the second expandable bladder 124B may be coupled to the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122. In some examples, the first expandable bladder 124A and / or the second expandable bladder 124B may not be coupled to the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122. For example, the first expandable bladder and / or the second expandable bladder may be directly or indirectly coupled to the vehicle roof 130 independently of each other and / or independently of the inflatable curtain 122.

[0029] 2, for example, the first side 204, the second side 210, and / or the cross portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122 may be configured such that when the inflatable curtain 122 is deployed, the bottom end of the cross portion 212 is closer toward the seat 106 over which the first side 204 and the second side 210 extend than the top of the cross portion 212, such that the cross portion 212 extends downward toward the floor of the vehicle 102 and forms an angle with respect to the vertical. This angle may be created by the contraction of the first side 204 and / or the second side 210 as the inflatable curtain 122 is deployed. This exemplary configuration results in the bottom end of the inflatable curtain 122 being closer to the lower part of the chest of an occupant in the seat 106 than the upper part of the chest and / or head of the occupant upon deployment. As described herein with respect to Figures 6A and 6B, for example, this can cause the first expandable bladder 124A and / or the second expandable bladder 124B to respond and restrain the lower part of the occupant's thorax as the occupant is restrained by the expandable bladders 124, allowing the upper thorax and / or head of the occupant to continue progressing and pivot downwardly into / against one of the expandable bladders 124.

[0030] 7-11C, in certain examples, for example, the deployment controller 126 (FIG. 1) may be configured to expand one or more of the first expandable bladder 124A, the second expandable bladder 124B, or the inflatable curtain 122 from a stowed state to a deployed state, for example, by actuating one or more inflators 134 (FIG. 1) associated with (e.g., in flow communication with) one or more of the first expandable bladder 124A, the second expandable bladder 124B, or the inflatable curtain 122. The first expandable bladder 124A, the second expandable bladder 124B, and the inflatable curtain 122 may be deployed together, simultaneously (e.g., substantially simultaneously), or may be deployed independently of one another. For example, the deployment controller 126 may be configured to deploy and / or expand the inflatable curtain 122 from a stowed state to a deployed state at a first time, and thereafter expand the first and / or second inflatable bladders 124A and 124B from the stowed state to the deployed state at a second time subsequent to the first time. In one example, the first or second inflatable bladder 124A and 124B may be deployed individually, for example, without necessarily deploying the other inflatable bladder. By independently deploying the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124A or 124B, packaging of the occupant protection system 120 may be improved, for example, by reducing the size of the inflator 134 and / or the gas generator associated with (e.g., may form part of) the housing 132 used to house the undeployed first and second inflatable bladders 124A and 124B and the inflatable curtain 122. Additionally or alternatively, by independently deploying the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124A or 124B, replacement costs can be minimized since only the deployed members require replacement or refurbishment.

[0031] 1 and 2 may include a first seat 106A coupled to a portion of the vehicle 102 and oriented in a first direction 114 relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle 102, and the vehicle 102 may also include a second seat 106B ( FIG. 1 ) coupled to a portion of the vehicle 102 and oriented in a second direction 116 opposite the first direction 114. In one example of the occupant protection system 120, the first side 204 of the inflatable curtain 122 and the second side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122 may extend from a transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122 toward the first seat 106A in the second direction 116. The first inflatable bladder 124A may be configured to deploy between the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122 and the first seat 106A.

[0032] 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example architecture 300 for implementing the techniques described herein. In at least some examples, the architecture 300 may include a vehicle 302, which may correspond to the example vehicle 102 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The vehicle 302 may include a vehicle computing device 304, one or more sensor systems 306, one or more emitters 308, one or more communication connections 310, at least one direct connection 312, and one or more drive modules 314.

[0033] The vehicle computing device 304 may include one or more processors 316 and a memory 318 communicatively coupled to the one or more processors 316. In the illustrated example, the vehicle 302 is an autonomous vehicle. However, the vehicle 302 may be any other type of vehicle. In the illustrated example, the memory 318 of the vehicle computing device 304 stores a localization component 320, a perception component 322, a planning component 324, one or more system controllers 326, one or more maps 328, and an example occupant protection system 120. Although shown in FIG. 3 as resident in the memory 318 for illustrative purposes, it is contemplated that the localization component 320, the perception component 322, the planning component 324, the one or more system controllers 326, the one or more maps 328, and the occupant protection system 120 may additionally or alternatively be accessible to the vehicle 302 (e.g., stored in memory or otherwise accessible away from the vehicle 302).

[0034] In at least one example, the localization component 320 is configured to receive data from the sensor system 306 that determines the position and / or orientation of the vehicle 302 (e.g., one or more of x, y, z position, roll, pitch, or yaw). For example, the localization component 320 can include and / or request / receive a map of the environment and can continually determine the position and / or orientation of the autonomous vehicle within the map. In one example, the localization component 320 can utilize SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping), CLAMS (simultaneous calibration, localization and mapping), relative SLAM, bundle adjustment, nonlinear least squares optimization, etc. to receive image data, LIDAR data, radar data, IMU data, GPS data, wheel encoder data, etc. to precisely determine the position of the autonomous vehicle. In one example, the localization component 320 can provide data to various components of the vehicle 302 and determine an initial position of the autonomous vehicle to generate candidate trajectories, as described herein.

[0035] In one example, the perception component 322 may be configured to perform object detection, segmentation, and / or classification. In one example, the perception component 322 may provide processed sensor data indicative of the presence of an entity proximate to the vehicle 302 and / or the classification of the entity as an entity type (e.g., automobile, pedestrian, cyclist, building, tree, road surface, curb, sidewalk, unknown, etc.). In additional and / or alternative examples, the perception component 322 may provide processed sensor data indicative of one or more features associated with the detected entity and / or the environment in which the entity is located. In one example, the features associated with the entity may include, but are not limited to, x position (global location), y position (global location), z position (global location), orientation (e.g., roll, pitch, yaw), entity type (e.g., classification), entity velocity, entity range (size), etc. Features associated with an environment may include, but are not limited to, the presence of another entity in the environment, the state of another entity in the environment, the time of day, the day of the week, the season, weather conditions, darkness / light indications, and the like.

[0036] In general, the planning component 324 can determine a path for the vehicle 302 to follow to traverse an environment. For example, the planning component 324 can determine various routes and trajectories, and various levels of detail. For example, the planning component 324 can determine a route to travel from a first location (e.g., a current location) to a second location (e.g., a target location). For purposes of this description, the route may be a series of waypoints for traveling between the two locations. As non-limiting examples, the waypoints include roadways, intersections, Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates, and the like. Additionally, the planning component 324 can generate instructions for guiding the autonomous vehicle along at least a portion of the route from the first location to the second location. In at least one example, the planning component 324 can determine how to guide the autonomous vehicle from a first waypoint in the series of waypoints to a second waypoint in the series of waypoints. In one example, the instructions may be a trajectory or a portion of a trajectory. In one example, the multiple trajectories may be generated substantially simultaneously (e.g., within technical tolerances) according to a receding horizon technique, where one of the multiple trajectories is selected for navigating the vehicle 302.

[0037] In at least one example, the planning component 324 can determine a location of the user based on image data of the environment received from the user using, for example, a bag of binary words with image-based characteristics, an artificial neural network, or the like. Additionally, the planning component 324 can determine a pickup location associated with the location. The pickup location may be a specific location (e.g., a parking space, a loading area, a portion of ground, etc.) within a threshold distance of a location (e.g., an address or location associated with a dispatch request) where the vehicle 302 may stop to pick up the occupant. In at least one example, the planning component 324 can determine the pickup location based at least in part on determining a user identity (e.g., determined via image recognition or received as an indication from a user device, as described herein).

[0038] In at least one example, the vehicle computing device 304 may include one or more system controllers 326, which may be configured to control the steering, propulsion, braking, safety, emitter, communications, and other systems of the vehicle 302. These system controllers 326 may communicate with and / or control corresponding systems of the drive module 314 and / or other components of the vehicle 302.

[0039] The memory 318 may further include one or more maps 328 that may be used by the vehicle 302 to navigate within the environment. For purposes of this application, a map may be any number of data structures modeled in two, three, or N dimensions that may provide information about the environment, such as, but not limited to, topology (such as intersections), roadways, mountain ranges, roads, terrain, and the environment in general. In one example, the map may include, but is not limited to, texture information (e.g., color information (e.g., RGB color information, Lab color information, HSV / HSL color information), etc.), intensity information (e.g., LIDAR information, radar information, etc.), spatial information (e.g., image data projected onto a mesh, individual "surfels" (e.g., polygons associated with individual colors and / or intensities), reflectivity information (e.g., specularity information, retroreflectivity information, BRDF information, BSSRDF information, etc.). In one example, the map may include a three-dimensional mesh of the environment. In one example, the map may be stored in a tiled format, such that individual tiles of the map represent separate portions of the environment, and may be loaded into the working memory as needed. In at least one example, the one or more maps 328 may include at least one map (e.g., an image and / or a mesh). In one example, the vehicle 302 may be controlled at least in part based on the map 328. That is, the map 328 may be used in conjunction with the localization component 320, the perception component 322, and / or the planning component 324 to determine a position of the vehicle 302, identify objects in the environment, and / or generate a route and / or trajectory for navigating the environment.

[0040] In one example, one or more maps 328 may be stored on a remote computing device (such as computing device 330) accessible via one or more networks 332. In one example, multiple maps 328 may be stored, for example, based on characteristics (e.g., type of entity, time of day, day of the week, season of the year, etc.). Storing multiple maps 328 may have similar memory requirements but increases the speed at which data in the maps can be accessed.

[0041] 3, in one example, the occupant protection system 120 may be stored in memory 318 of the computing device 304 of the vehicle 302, or may be stored remotely from the vehicle 302 in memory 334 of the computing device 330. In one example, some portions of the occupant protection system 120 may be stored in memory 318 of the computing device 304 of the vehicle 302, other portions of the occupant protection system 120 may be stored remotely in memory 334 of the computing device 330, and the separately located portions of the occupant protection system 120 may operate together in a coordinated manner.

[0042] In some examples, some or all aspects of the components described herein may include any model, algorithm, and / or machine learning algorithm. For example, in some examples, the components in memory 318 and / or 334 may be implemented as neural networks.

[0043] As described herein, an exemplary neural network is a biologically inspired algorithm in which input data passes through successively connected layers to produce an output. Each layer in a neural network may also include another neural network, or may include any number of layers (whether convolutional or not). As understood in the context of this disclosure, a neural network may utilize machine learning, which may refer to a broad class of such algorithms in which output is generated based on learned parameters.

[0044] Although described in the context of neural networks, any type of machine learning may be used consistent with this disclosure. For example, machine learning algorithms include regression algorithms (e.g., ordinary least squares regression (OLSR), linear regression, logistic regression, stepwise regression, multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (LOESS), instance-based algorithms (e.g., ridge regression, least absolute value shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), elastic net, least angle regression (LARS), decision tree algorithms (e.g., classification and regression trees (CART), iterative dichotomy 3 (ID3), chi-squared automated interaction detection (CHAID), decision stump, conditional decision tree), Bayesian algorithms (e.g., naive Bayes, Gaussian naive Bayes, polynomial naive Bayes, average-one dependence estimator (AODE), Bayesian confidence network (BNN), Bayesian network), clustering algorithms (e.g., k-means, k-medians, expectation maximization (EM), hierarchical clustering), association rule learning algorithms (e.g., perceptron, error The learning algorithms may include, but are not limited to, backpropagation, Hopfield networks, radial basis function networks (RBFN), deep learning algorithms (e.g., deep Boltzmann machines (DBM), deep confidence networks (DBN), convolutional neural networks (CNN), stacked autoencoders), dimensionality reduction algorithms (e.g., principal component analysis (PCA), principal component regression (PCR), partial least squares regression (PLSR), Sammon mapping, multidimensional scaling (MDS), projection pursuit, linear discriminant analysis (LDA), mixed discriminant analysis (MDA), quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA), flexible discriminant analysis (FDA)), ensemble algorithms (e.g., boosting, bootstrap aggregation (bagging), adaboost, hierarchical generalization (blending), gradient boosting machines (GBM), gradient boosted regression trees (GBRT), random forests), support vector machines (SVM), supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, etc.

[0045] Further example architectures include neural networks such as ResNet70, ResNet101, VGG, DenseNet, PointNet, etc.

[0046] In at least one example, the sensor system 306 may include LIDAR sensors, radar sensors, ultrasonic transducers, sonar sensors, position sensors (e.g., GPS, COMPASS, etc.), inertial sensors (e.g., inertial measurement units (IMUs), accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, etc.), cameras (e.g., RGB, IR, intensity, depth, time of flight (TOF), etc.), microphones, wheel encoders, environmental sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, humidity sensors, light sensors, pressure sensors, etc.), and the like. The sensor system 306 may include each of these various examples or other types of sensors. For example, the LIDAR sensors may include individual LIDAR sensors located at the corners, front, rear, sides, and / or top of the vehicle 302. As another example, the camera sensors may include various cameras located at various locations on the exterior and / or interior of the vehicle 302. The sensor system 306 may provide input to the vehicle computing device 304. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor system 306 may transmit sensor data at a particular frequency, such as after a predetermined period of time, in near real-time, or via one or more networks 332 to one or more computing devices 330.

[0047] The vehicle 302 may also include one or more emitters 308 for emitting light and / or sound, as described above. The emitters 308 in this example include interior audio and visual emitters that communicate with occupants of the vehicle 302. By way of example and without limitation, the interior emitters may include speakers, lights, signs, display screens, touch screens, haptic emitters (e.g., vibration and / or force feedback), mechanical actuators (e.g., seat belt tensioners, seat positioners, head rest positioners, etc.), and the like. The emitters 308 in this example also include exterior emitters. By way of example and without limitation, the exterior emitters in this example include lights that signal the direction of travel or other indicators of the vehicle's actions (e.g., indicator lights, signs, lighting arrays, etc.), and one or more audio emitters (e.g., speakers, speaker arrays, horns, etc.) that acoustically communicate with pedestrians or other vehicles in the vicinity, one or more of which may include acoustic beam steering technology.

[0048] Vehicle 302 may also include one or more communication connections 310 that enable communication between vehicle 302 and one or more other local or remote computing devices. For example, communication connection 310 may facilitate communication with other local computing devices on vehicle 302 and / or drive system 314. Communication connection 310 may also enable vehicle 302 to communicate with other nearby computing devices (e.g., other nearby vehicles, traffic signals, etc.). Communication connection 310 may also enable vehicle 302 to communicate with remotely operated computing devices or other remote services.

[0049] The communication connection 310 may include a physical and / or logical interface for connecting the vehicle computing device 304 to another computing device or network, such as the network 332. For example, the communication connection 310 may enable Wi-Fi-based communications, such as via frequencies defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard, short-range wireless frequencies such as Bluetooth, cellular communications (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, 4G LTE, 5G, etc.), or any suitable wired or wireless communication protocol that enables each computing device to interface with other computing devices.

[0050] In at least one example, the vehicle 302 may include one or more drive modules 314. In some examples, the vehicle 302 may have one drive module 314. In at least one example, when the vehicle 302 has multiple drive systems 314, the individual drive systems 314 may be located at both ends of the vehicle 302 (e.g., the front and the rear, etc.). In at least one example, the drive module 314 may include one or more sensor systems to detect conditions surrounding the drive module 314 and / or the vehicle 302. By way of example and without limitation, the sensor system 306 may include one or more wheel encoders (e.g., rotary encoders) that sense the rotation of the wheels of the drive module, inertial sensors (e.g., inertial measurement units, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, etc.) that measure the orientation and acceleration of the drive module, cameras or other imaging sensors, ultrasonic sensors that acoustically detect objects in the vicinity of the drive module, LIDAR sensors, radar sensors, etc. Certain sensors, such as wheel encoders, may be specific to the drive module 314. In some cases, sensor systems in the drive module 314 may overlap or complement corresponding systems in the vehicle 302 (e.g., sensor system 306).

[0051] The drive module 314 may include many of the vehicle systems, including a high voltage battery, a motor to propel the vehicle, an inverter to convert direct current from the battery to alternating current for use by other vehicle systems, a steering system including a steering motor and a steering rack (which may be electric), a braking system including hydraulic or electric actuators, a suspension system including hydraulic and / or pneumatic components, a stability control system to distribute braking forces to mitigate loss of traction and maintain control, an HVAC system, lighting (e.g., lighting such as headlights / taillights that illuminate the exterior surroundings of the vehicle), and one or more other systems (e.g., cooling systems, safety systems, on-board charging systems, other electrical components such as DC / DC converters, high voltage junctions, high voltage cables, charging systems, charging ports, etc.). Additionally, the drive module 314 may include a drive module controller, which may receive and pre-process data from the sensor system 306 and control the operation of the various vehicle systems. In one example, the drive module controller may include one or more processors and memory communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. The memory can store one or more modules that perform various functions of the drive module 314. In addition, the drive module 314 also includes one or more communication connections that enable communication by each drive module with one or more other local or remote computing devices.

[0052] In at least one example, the direct connection 312 may provide a physical interface that couples to one or more drive modules 314 with the body of the vehicle 302. For example, the direct connection 312 may enable the transfer of energy, fluids, air, data, etc. between the drive modules 314 and the vehicle 302. In one example, the direct connection 312 may further releasably secure the drive modules 314 to the body of the vehicle 302.

[0053] In at least one example, the localization component 320, the perception component 322, the planning component 324, and / or the occupant protection system 120 may process the sensor data as described above and may transmit their respective outputs to one or more computing devices 330 over one or more networks 332. In at least one example, the localization component 320, the perception component 322, the planning component 324, and / or the occupant protection system 120 may transmit their respective outputs to the one or more computing devices 330 at a particular frequency, such as in near real-time after a predetermined period of time has passed.

[0054] The processor 316 of the vehicle 302 and / or the processor 336 of the computing device 330 may include any suitable processor capable of executing instructions to process data and perform operations as described herein. By way of example and without limitation, the processors 316 and 336 may include one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), or any other device or portion of a device that processes electronic data and converts the electronic data into registers and / or other electronic data that may be stored in memory. In certain examples, integrated circuits (e.g., ASICs, etc.), gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs, etc.), and other hardware devices may also be considered processors so long as they are configured to implement coded instructions.

[0055] The memories 318 and 334 are examples of non-transitory computer-readable media. The memories 318 and 334 may store an operating system and one or more software applications, instructions, programs, and / or data to implement the methods and functions attributed to the various systems described herein. In various implementations, the memories may be implemented using suitable memory technologies such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), non-volatile / flash type memory, or any other type of memory capable of storing information. The architectures, systems, and individual elements described herein may include many other logical, programmatic, and physical components, of which those shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples relevant to the description herein.

[0056] In one example, for example, occupant protection system 120 may include an expandable occupant protection system 338 and / or a seat belt system 340, as illustrated in FIGURE 3 and described herein with respect to FIGURE 12. As illustrated in FIGURE 3, expandable occupant protection system 338 and seat belt system 340 may be associated with one or more of a vehicle computing device 304 onboard vehicle 302 or a remote computing device 330.

[0057] 3 is illustrated as a distributed system, it should be noted that in alternative illustrations, components of the vehicle 302 may be associated with the computing device 330 and / or components of the computing device 330 may be associated with the vehicle 302. That is, the vehicle 302 may perform one or more of the functions associated with the computing device 330, and vice versa.

[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, an example of the occupant protection system 120 may include a first inflatable curtain 122A and a second inflatable curtain 122B configured to be expanded from a stowed state to a deployed state extending between the vehicle roof 130 and the vehicle floor 202 (see FIG. 2). In one such example, the occupant protection system 120 may include a first inflatable bladder 124A and a second inflatable bladder 124B configured to be expanded from a stowed state to a deployed state. The second inflatable curtain 122B may be configured to be deployed between the first inflatable curtain 122A and the second seat 106B (see FIG. 2). In one example, the first inflatable bladder 124A and the second inflatable bladder 124B may be configured to be deployed between the second inflatable curtain 122B and the second seat 106B (see FIG. 1). In such an example system 120, protection may be provided for occupants in seats facing in both directions. For example, the seats 106A and 106B may face each other, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 1, and the first inflatable curtain 122A and the second inflatable curtain 122B may be configured to deploy between the two seats 106A and 106B. In one example, the deployment controller 126 may be configured to receive one or more signals indicative of a direction of travel of the vehicle 102 and cause deployment of the first inflatable curtain 122A and / or the second inflatable curtain 122B. For example, the first inflatable curtain 122A, the first inflatable bladder 124A, the second inflatable curtain 122B, and / or the second inflatable bladder 124B may be deployed based at least in part on the one or more signals indicative of a direction of travel of the vehicle 102.

[0059] For example, if the vehicle 102 is traveling with the first seat 106A facing in a direction of travel (e.g., the first direction 114 illustrated in FIG. 1 ) before or during a collision, the deployment controller 126 may deploy the first inflatable curtain 122A and / or one or more of the first inflatable bladder 124A or the second inflatable bladder 124B (e.g., associated with (e.g., within an effective distance of) the first seat 106A). 1 , and if the vehicle 102 is traveling in the second seat 106B, before or during the collision, facing in the direction of travel (e.g., the second direction 116 illustrated in FIG. 1 ), the deployment controller 126 may deploy the second inflatable curtain 122B and / or one or more of the first inflatable bladder 124A or the second inflatable bladder 124B (e.g., associated with (e.g., within an effective distance of) the second seat 106B).

[0060] 4 and 5 illustrate an example pair 400 of a first inflatable curtain 122A and a second inflatable curtain 122B oriented relative to one another in an example orientation consistent with an example vehicle illustrated in FIG. 1, such as the vehicle 102 having opposing seats 106A and 106B. As illustrated, the example inflatable curtains 122A and 122B include a first side 204 configured to extend longitudinally along a portion of a first interior side 206 of the vehicle 102, and a second side 210 configured to extend longitudinally along a portion of a second interior side of the vehicle 102. The example inflatable curtains 122A and 122B also include a transverse portion 212 extending transversely between the first side 204 and the second side 210 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B. The inflatable curtains 122A and / or 122B may be configured to deploy at any longitudinal location along the length of the vehicle 102, for example, to divide the interior 100. In the illustrated example, the transverse portions 212 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B include an inflatable support chamber 402 that extends in a direction along the length of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B, respectively. The exemplary inflatable support chamber 402 includes a vertical portion 404 that is configured to extend in a direction along the length of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B when expanded at least a portion of the distance between the vehicle roof 130 and the vehicle floor 202. In one example, the vertical portion 404 may extend diagonally at least a portion of the distance between the vehicle roof 130 and the vehicle floor 202 when expanded (e.g., while still extending vertically, the vertical portion 404 may also extend laterally across at least a portion of the transverse portion 212 of each inflatable curtain 122). The exemplary expandable support chamber 402 also includes a horizontal portion 406 that extends at least partially from the first side 204 to the second side 210 of the expandable curtain 122, e.g., in a direction perpendicular or perpendicular to the length of the expandable curtains 122A and 122B.

[0061] In the illustrated example, the transverse portion 212 also includes a first lateral portion 408 extending between the first side 204 and the vertical portion 404 and the horizontal portion 406 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B, respectively, and a second lateral portion 410 extending between the second side 210 and the vertical portion 404 and the horizontal portion 406 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B, respectively. In the illustrated example, the first lateral portion 408 and the second lateral portion 410 form a web between the first side 204 and the second side 210 and between the vertical portion 404 and the horizontal portion 406, rather than being non-inflatable. In some examples, one or more of the first lateral portion 408 and the second lateral portion 410 may be inflatable. Although the first inflatable curtains 122A and 122B are shown as being identical, they may be different from one another. In one example, the first inflatable curtain 122A and the second inflatable curtain 122B may be formed as one inflatable curtain, for example using a common transverse portion 212, rather than being separately deployable inflatable curtain 122A and deployable inflatable curtain 122B.

[0062] 4, the vertical portion 404 defines a raised portion 412 between a first lateral portion 408 and a second lateral portion 410 of the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B. For example, the vertical portion 404 may include a tubular portion having a cross-sectional area in a plane transverse to a direction along the length of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B that increases as the vertical portion 404 approaches the horizontal portion 406. An example of the inflatable curtains 122A and / or 122B may include multiple vertical portions.

[0063] In one example, the horizontal portion 406 may include a lower tubular portion 414 having a cross-sectional area in a plane substantially parallel to the first side 204 and the second side 210 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B that increases as the horizontal portion 406 approaches the vertical portion 404, for example, as illustrated in Figure 4. In one example, the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B defines a support side 220 that defines a reaction surface, and the lower tubular portion 414 of the horizontal portion 406 extends from a first end 416 to a second end 418, where the first end 416 and the second end 418 curve away from the support side 220 of the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B (e.g., when viewed from above).

[0064] 4, each of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B may be configured such that the first side 204 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B, the first lateral portion 408 of the transverse portion 212, the expandable support chamber 402, the second lateral portion 410 of the transverse portion 212, and the second side 210 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B may form a contiguous boundary extending from the first side 204 to the second side 210 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B. In one example, the first side 204, the second side 210, and the transverse portion 212 may be separate components, but may be contiguous. In one example, the first side 204, the second side 210, and the cross portion 212 may form an adjacent boundary extending from the first side 204 to the second side 210 of one or more of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B.

[0065] 5 illustrates a set of example expandable bladders 124A and 124B associated with two example inflatable curtains 122A and 122B, all in a deployed state. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the occupant protection system 120 includes two first expandable bladders 124A configured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly coupled to) the inflatable curtains such that the first expandable bladders 124A in the deployed state nest between the first side 204 and the expandable support chambers 402 of each of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B. As shown, one embodiment also includes two second expandable bladders 124B configured to expand from a stowed state to an expanded state associated with the expandable curtains 122A and 122B, such that the second expandable bladders 124B in the expanded state nest between the second side 210 and the expandable support chambers 402 of each of the expandable curtains 122A and 122B. A different number of expandable bladders 124 are contemplated. It is contemplated that the expandable curtains 122A and 122B may function as a single expandable volume in fluid communication with one another and deployable together, and / or that the set of expandable curtains 122A and 122B may be replaced by a single expandable curtain configured to provide opposing reactive surfaces of transverse portions for the expandable bladders on opposing sides of the expandable curtains.

[0066] In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, each of the expandable bladders 124 includes a coupling portion 500 configured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state and configured to couple to a portion of the vehicle 102 associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly connected to) the vehicle roof 130. For example, the coupling portion 500 may be directly or indirectly connected to the vehicle roof 130 such that, for example, the coupling portion 500 is suspended from the vehicle roof 130 to support the expandable bladder 124. Each of the exemplary expandable bladders 124 illustrated in FIG. 5 also includes a first expandable lateral arrestor 502 associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly connected to and / or in flow communication with) the coupling portion 500, and a second expandable lateral arrestor 504 associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly connected to and / or in flow communication with) the coupling portion 500. As described herein, the exemplary expandable bladder 124 also includes a lower support 506 associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly in communication and / or in flow communication with) the first and second expandable lateral arrestors 502 and 504, and a central expandable arrestor 508 associated with (directly or indirectly connected and / or in flow communication with) the lower support 506 and configured to pivot relative to the lower support 506 upon contact with a portion of an occupant 104 of the vehicle 102. For example, a lower portion of the central expandable arrestor 508 may be coupled to the lower support 506, e.g., with a substantial remainder of the central expandable arrestor 508 being substantially free to pivot about the lower portion.

[0067] 5 also includes optional first straps 510 each coupled to the lower support 506 and configured to be coupled to a portion of the vehicle 102 (e.g., a structural member and / or an interior panel of the vehicle chassis) associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly connected to) the vehicle roof 130, and second straps 512 coupled to the central expandable arrestor 508 and configured to be coupled to a portion of the vehicle 102 associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly connected to) the vehicle roof 130. In some examples, the first straps 510 may be configured to help stabilize and / or support their respective expandable bladders 124. In some examples, the second straps 512 may be configured to help position and support the central expandable arrestor 508 before and during contact with the occupant 104.

[0068] 5, one or more of the linking portion 500, the first expandable lateral arrestor 502, the second expandable lateral arrestor 504, or the lower support portion 506 form an expandable arrestor chamber 514. For example, the linking portion 500, the first expandable lateral arrestor 502, the second expandable lateral arrestor 504, and the lower support portion 506 may form a continuous expandable arrestor chamber 514. In one example, as described herein, for example, the continuous expandable arrestor chamber 514 is substantially ring-shaped and defines a central space 516, and the continuous expandable arrestor chamber 514 and the central expandable arrestor 508 are configured such that upon contact by an occupant 104 of the vehicle 102, the central expandable arrestor 508 pivots into the central space 516. For example, the central expandable arrestor 508 and the first and second expandable lateral arrestors 502 and 504 are configured such that the central expandable arrestor 508 pivots to be at least partially disposed between the first and second expandable lateral arrestors 502 and 504 upon contact with a portion of an occupant 104 of the vehicle 102. In one example, the central expandable arrestor 508 and the first and second expandable lateral arrestors 502 and 504 are configured such that the shoulders of the occupant 104 of the vehicle 102 contact the first and second expandable lateral arrestors 502 and 504 and the head of the occupant 104 contacts the central expandable arrestor 508.

[0069] In some examples, the first strap 510 and the second strap 512 may be formed from a partially elastic material. In some examples, the first strap 510 and the second strap 512 may be formed from the same material, and in some examples, the first strap 510 and the second strap 512 may be formed from different materials, such that the second strap 512 is relatively more elastic than the first strap 510, for example.

[0070] 6A and 6B are schematic sequence diagrams of an exemplary occupant 104 during a crash involving a vehicle 102 including an exemplary occupant protection system 120. In the illustrated example, the occupant protection system 120 includes an inflatable curtain 122 including at least a transverse portion 212 suspended from a vehicle roof 130, an inflatable bladder 124 suspended from the vehicle roof 130 including a linking portion 500, a first inflatable lateral arrester 502 and a second inflatable lateral arrester 504, a lower support portion 506, and a central inflatable arrester 508. FIG. 6A illustrates the exemplary inflatable curtain 122 and the exemplary inflatable bladder 124 in a deployed state with the occupant 104 still seated in the seat 106. As described herein, in one example, the deployment controller 126 can receive one or more signals from the vehicle 102 indicating a crash in which the vehicle 102 is involved or a predicted crash, and the deployment controller 126 can actuate one or more inflators 134 to deploy the inflatable curtains 122 and / or the inflatable bladders 124. In one example, only the inflatable bladders 124 associated with the seats 106 in which an occupant 104 is detected will be deployed. For example, only the inflatable bladders 124 in front of and sufficiently close to the occupied seat to be effective in arresting movement of the respective occupant during a crash will be deployed.

[0071] 6B illustrates an example of an occupant 104 being thrown forward in a vehicle 102 during a collision. In the illustrated example, the occupant's head 600 and torso 602 are thrown forward into the expandable bladder 124, which is supported by the expandable curtain 122 to prevent forward movement of the occupant 104 in a cushioned manner and reduce the likelihood of injury. In one example, the occupant's head 600 contacts the central expandable arrestor 508, which pivots relative to the lower support 506, as described herein, and the occupant's shoulders 604 contact the first expandable lateral arrestor 502 and the second expandable lateral arrestor 504, which prevent forward movement of the occupant's shoulders 604 in a cushioned manner.

[0072] 7 is a partial schematic diagram of an example vehicle ceiling 700 illustrating from below an example layout of an example ceiling trim panel and an example inflator relative to the occupant protection system 120 in association with the example inflatable curtains 122A and 122B and the example inflatable bladders 124A and 124B. In certain examples, the inflator illustrated in FIG. 7 may correspond to the inflator 134 illustrated in FIG.

[0073] 7, the occupant protection system 120 includes a ceiling trim panel system 702. For example, the ceiling trim panel system 702 may include a transverse ceiling trim panel 704 configured to be coupled to a ceiling 700 of the vehicle 102 and extend in a first direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis L of the vehicle 102 (e.g., extend in a direction between the ends 112 and 118 of the vehicle 102). In one example, the transverse ceiling trim panel 704 may be configured to cover and deflect the transverse portions 212 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B and / or one or more of the inflatable bladders 124A or 124B in a stowed state and to allow deployment of the transverse portions 212 of the inflatable curtains 122A or 122B and / or one or more of the inflatable bladders 124A or 124B in a deployed state (e.g., see FIGS. 2 and 4-6B). An example of the ceiling trim panel system 702 may also include one or more side ceiling trim panels 706 configured to be coupled to the ceiling 700 and extend in a second direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the vehicle 102 (e.g., substantially perpendicular to the first direction in which the transverse ceiling trim panel 704 extends). In an example, the one or more side ceiling trim panels 706 may be configured to cover and deflect the respective sides 204 and / or 210 of the inflatable curtains 122A and / or 122B in a stowed state and to enable deployment of the sides 204 and / or 210 of the inflatable curtains 122A and / or 122B in a deployed state (e.g., see FIGS. 4-6B ).

[0074] For example, as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 7 , one or more transverse ceiling trim panels 702 may define one or more transverse seams 708 that extend substantially parallel to a first direction (e.g., substantially transverse (e.g., substantially perpendicular) to the longitudinal axis L. In one example, the transverse seams 708 may be configured to allow openings to be created through one or more transverse portions 212 of one or more inflatable curtains 122A and / or 122B and / or one or more expandable bladders 124A or 124B to pass through when deployed from a stowed state to a deployed state. The transverse seams 708 may define a first or second transverse seam 708 that extends substantially parallel to a first direction (e.g., substantially transverse (e.g., substantially perpendicular) to the longitudinal axis L. In one example, the transverse seams 708 may be configured to allow openings to be created through one or more transverse portions 212 of one or more inflatable curtains 122A and / or 122B and / or one or more expandable bladders 124A or 124B when deployed from a stowed state to a deployed state. The transverse seam 708 may be defined by a respective edge of one or more of the cross ceiling trim panels 704, for example, where the respective edges contact a portion of the vehicle 102, and / or the transverse seam 708 may be defined by an area of ​​weakness created in one or more of the cross ceiling trim panels 704, such as a line of reduced material thickness, a line scored in the surface of the cross ceiling trim panel 704, and / or a perforation in the cross ceiling trim panel 704. In one example, the cross ceiling trim panel 704 may include a living hinge spaced from the transverse seam 708 to, for example, facilitate deflection of the cross ceiling trim panel 704.

[0075] 7, the one or more side ceiling trim panels 706 may define one or more longitudinal seams 710 that extend substantially parallel to the second direction (e.g., substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L). The one or more longitudinal seams 710 may be configured to generate an opening through which the respective sides 204 and / or 210 of one or more of the inflatable curtains 122A and / or 122B pass when deployed from the stowed state to the deployed state. The longitudinal seam 710 may be defined by a respective edge of one or more of the side ceiling trim panels 706, for example, where the respective edge contacts a portion of the vehicle 102, and / or the longitudinal seam 710 may be defined by an area of ​​weakness created in the one or more side ceiling trim panels 706, such as a line of reduced material thickness, a line scored in the surface of the side ceiling trim panel 706, and / or a perforation in the side ceiling trim panel 706. In one example, the side ceiling trim panel 706 may include a living hinge spaced from the longitudinal seam 710, for example, to facilitate deflection of the side ceiling trim panel 704.

[0076] As illustrated in FIG 7, one example of a ceiling trim panel system 702 may include an interface ceiling trim panel 712 associated with one or more cross ceiling trim panels 704 and one or more side ceiling trim panels 706. For example, as illustrated in FIG 7, the interface ceiling trim panel 712 may be configured to couple to a ceiling 700 of a vehicle 102 to cover and deflect one or more cross portions 212 of one or more inflatable curtains 122A and / or 122B and / or one or more side surfaces 204 and / or 210 of the inflatable curtains 122A and / or 122B in a stowed state and to enable deployment of one or more cross portions 212 and / or one or more side surfaces 204 and / or 210 of the inflatable curtains 122A and / or 122B in a deployed state. For example, one or more cross ceiling trim panels 704 and / or one or more side ceiling trim panels 706 may be configured to generate an opening through one or more cross portions 212 and / or one or more side surfaces 204 and / or 210 when deployed from a stowed state to a deployed state. In one example, one or more mating ceiling trim panels 712 may partially form one or more adjacent openings together with one or more cross ceiling trim panels 704 and / or one or more side ceiling trim panels 706. In one example, the mating ceiling trim panels 712 may include a living hinge, for example, to facilitate deflection of the mating ceiling trim panels 712. In one example, a tether or cord may be coupled to one or more of the mating ceiling trim panels 712 and to the ceiling of the vehicle 102 to prevent the one or more mating ceiling trim panels 712 from completely separating from the ceiling, for example, when the inflatable curtains 122A and / or 122B are deployed and / or the inflatable bladders 124A and / or 124B are deployed.

[0077] 7 also diagrammatically illustrates an exemplary deployment system 714 for actuating the deployment of one or more inflatable curtains 122A or 122B and / or one or more inflatable bladders 124A or 124B. For example, the deployment system 714 may include a deployment controller 126, which may be configured to actuate one or more inflators in flow communication with the one or more inflatable curtains 122A or 122B and / or one or more inflatable bladders 124A or 124B. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the exemplary deployment system 714 includes five inflators 716, 718, 720, 722, and 724 associated with the inflatable curtain 122A, and the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B associated with the inflatable curtain 122A. In certain examples, one or more of the inflators 716, 718, 720, 722, or 724 may include multiple inflators, one or more of the inflators 716, 718, 720, 722, or 724 may be combined, one or more of the inflators 716, 718, 720, 722, or 724 may have different capacities (e.g., different volumetric outputs, pressurization, and / or different flow outputs), or one or more of the inflators 716, 718, 720, 722, or 724 may be different types (e.g., pyrotechnic type inflators, gas type inflators, or hybrid pyrotechnic and gas type inflators). Similarly, the example deployment system 714 includes five inflators 726, 728, 730, 732, and 734 associated with the inflatable curtain 122B, and expandable bladders 124A and 124B associated with the inflatable curtain 122B.In some examples, one or more of the inflators 726, 728, 730, 732, or 734 may include multiple inflators, one or more of the inflators 726, 728, 730, 732, or 734 may be combined, one or more of the inflators 726, 728, 730, 732, or 734 may have different capacities (e.g., different volumetric outputs, pressurization, and / or different flow outputs), or one or more of the inflators 726, 728, 730, 732, or 734 may be different types (e.g., pyrotechnic type inflators, gas type inflators, or hybrid pyrotechnic and gas type inflators). The locations of the inflators are merely illustrative of possible locations. For example, one or more of the inflators 718, 720, 728, or 730 may be positioned in any location adjacent any portion of the sides 204 and / or 210 of the inflatable curtains 122A and / or 122B, respectively.

[0078] In the illustrated example, the inflator 716 is in flow communication with the inflatable curtain 122A and is configured to cause deployment of the inflatable curtain 122A from a stowed state to a deployed state upon actuation of the inflator 716 by the deployment controller 126. For example, the inflator 716 is in flow communication with the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122A. The inflators 718 and 720 in the illustrated example are in flow communication with the sides 204 and 210, respectively, of the inflatable curtain 122A. Each of the inflators 722 and 724 is in flow communication with one of the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B associated with the inflatable curtain 122A.

[0079] Similarly, the inflator 726 is in flow communication with the inflatable curtain 122B and is configured to cause deployment of the inflatable curtain 122B from a stowed state to a deployed state upon actuation of the inflator 726 by the deployment controller 126. For example, the inflator 726 is in flow communication with the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122B. The inflators 728 and 730 in the illustrated example are in flow communication with the sides 204 and 210, respectively, of the inflatable curtain 122B. Each of the inflators 732 and 734 is in flow communication with one of the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B associated with the inflatable curtain 122B.

[0080] In certain instances, the deployment controller 126 may be configured to activate one or more inflators sequentially relative to one or more other inflators. For example, the deployment controller 126 may be configured to activate one or more of the inflators 716 or 726 sequentially prior to a time to activate one or more of the inflators 722, 724, 732, or 734. For example, the deployment controller 126 may be configured to activate the inflator 716 in flow communication with the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122A prior to a time (e.g., about 500 milliseconds or less, about 250 milliseconds or less, about 100 milliseconds or less, or about 50 milliseconds or less, about 25 milliseconds or less, or about 5 milliseconds or less) relative to activating one or more of the inflators 722 or 724 in flow communication with the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B, respectively, associated with the inflatable curtain 122A. Such staged deployment can reduce the total amount of energy consumed (e.g., requiring a small, high pressure, and / or low volume inflator to break the trim, and then one or more separate inflators to inflate the curtain or curtains or expandable bladders). For example, the deployment controller 126 may be configured to activate the inflator 726 in flow communication with the transverse portion 212 of the inflatable curtain 122B a time (e.g., about 500 milliseconds or less, about 250 milliseconds or less, about 100 milliseconds or less, or about 50 milliseconds or less, about 25 milliseconds or less, or about 5 milliseconds or less) prior to activating one or more inflators 732 or 734 in flow communication with the expandable bladders 124A and 124B, respectively, associated with the inflatable curtain 122B. In one example, both inflators 716 and 726 may be activated simultaneously (e.g., substantially simultaneously) prior to activation of one or more of inflators 722, 724, 732, or 734 in flow communication with expandable bladders 124A and 124B associated with both inflatable curtains 122A and 122B.In one such example, one or more of the inflators 722, 724, 732, or 734 may be activated simultaneously (eg, substantially simultaneously).

[0081] 8A-8C illustrate an exemplary deployment sequence 800 in which one of the inflatable curtains 122A and one of the inflatable bladders 124A are deployed from a stowed state to a deployed state. FIG. 8A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a schematic portion along line AA of FIG. 7, illustrating transverse portions 212 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B and the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B, all shown in an exemplary stowed state. Although only one inflatable bladder 124A and one inflatable bladder 124B are illustrated in FIG. 8A, due to limitations of the side view, each of the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B may represent multiple inflatable bladders, for example, with additional inflatable bladders hidden from view illustrated in FIG. 8A.

[0082] As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B and the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B may be received in a housing 802, which in one example may generally correspond to the housing 132 illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated, a cross ceiling trim panel 704 may at least partially define the housing 802, which is coupled to the ceiling 130 (see FIG. 1) of the vehicle 102 and / or the roof 130 (see FIG. 1) of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, the cross ceiling trim panel 704 defines a cross seam 708 (see FIG. 7), which may extend at least partially the length of the cross ceiling trim panel 704 (i.e., into the page as illustrated in FIG. 8A), as described herein. In certain examples, the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B and the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B may be stored in a fan-folded or accordion-like configuration to improve deployment (e.g., to increase speed of deployment and / or improve completeness of deployment). Other storage arrangements are contemplated.

[0083] As illustrated in Figure 8A, in one example, the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B include distal curtain ends 804, and the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B include distal bladder ends 806. As illustrated in Figures 8A-8C, in one example, the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B may include distal curtain ends 804 and distal bladder ends 806, for example, as illustrated.

[0084] 8A-8C also show example inflators 716, 724, 726, and 734, which are in flow communication with inflatable curtain 122A, inflatable bladder 124A, inflatable curtain 122B, and inflatable bladder 124B, respectively. As described herein, a deployment controller 126 (FIG. 7) may be in flow communication with the inflators and in flow communication with inflatable bladder 124A, which may be configured to activate inflator 716, which is in flow communication with transverse portion 212 of inflatable curtain 122A, prior to a time relative to activating inflator 724 associated with inflatable curtain 122A.

[0085] For example, FIG. 8B is a side view of a first exemplary schematic portion of an exemplary deployment sequence 800 in which the inflatable curtain 122A and the expandable bladder 124A begin to deploy upon activation of an inflator 716 in flow communication with the inflatable curtain 122A. The deployment controller may then activate the inflator 724, which is in flow communication with the expandable bladder 124A. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, activation of the inflator 716 generates sufficient force to create a transverse opening 810 through which the transverse portion 212 of the expandable curtain 122A passes when expanding from the stowed state to the deployed state. A tether 808 coupled to a distal bladder end 806 of the expandable bladder 124A begins to pull and assist the expandable bladder 124A toward its deployed state prior to and / or during activation of the inflator 724 in flow communication with the expandable bladder 124A. 8B and 8C, for example, the transverse ceiling trim panel 704 defines a transverse distal end 812 configured to diverge from a central portion 814 of the transverse ceiling trim panel 704 in an arc in a direction transverse to the ceiling 700 of the vehicle 102. In some examples, the inflator 716 associated with the inflatable curtain 122A may have a larger capacity (e.g., a larger volume and / or flow rate) than the inflator 724 associated with the inflatable bladder 124A, for example, to provide sufficient force to open the transverse ceiling trim panel 704 along the transverse seam 708. In some examples, as a result of the inflatable curtain 122A's ability to generate the transverse opening 810, the inflator 724 associated with the inflatable bladder 124A may have a smaller capacity relative to the inflator 716, as it may not contribute or may only contribute partially to the generation of the transverse opening 810 in some examples. In one example, the inflator 724 associated with the expandable bladder 124A may have a large capacity relative to the inflator 716.In certain instances, the inflator may be selected or configured to actuate with sufficient force to deflect the trim panel, which may vary and act as a function of, for example, the material properties of the trim panel and / or the cross-sectional area that engages the inflatable curtain and / or the inflatable bladder.

[0086] 8C illustrates a second schematic of an exemplary deployment sequence 800 in which both the inflatable curtain 122A and the inflatable bladder 124A are fully deployed. As illustrated, the tether 808 remains connected to the distal curtain end 804 of the inflatable curtain 122A and the distal bladder end 806 of the inflatable bladder 124A. In one example, this may serve to improve stability of the inflatable bladder 124A against the reaction surface created by the support side 220 of the inflatable curtain 122A, for example, when a person impacts the inflatable bladder 124A.

[0087] 8A-8C, inflatable curtain 122A and expandable bladder 124A are deployed independently from inflatable curtain 122B and expandable bladder 124B. Figures 9A-9C generally illustrate an example deployment sequence 900 in which both inflatable curtain 122A and inflatable curtain 122B are deployed simultaneously (e.g., substantially simultaneously), followed by simultaneous deployment of inflatable bladder 124A and expandable bladder 124B.

[0088] In some examples, for example, as illustrated in Figures 9A-9C, the distal curtain end 804 of the inflatable curtain 122A and the inflatable curtain 122B may be coupled to one another via one or more tethers 902. The one or more tethers 902 may function, for example, to aid in the deployment of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B, and stabilize the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B once in the deployed state, as illustrated in Figure 9C. The examples illustrated in Figures 9A-9C also include tethers 808 coupling together the distal curtain end 804 of each of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B and the distal bladder end 806 of each of the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B. This may serve to improve stability of the expandable bladders 124A and 124B against the respective reaction surfaces created by the respective support surface sides 220 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B and / or to act in a redundant manner for safety, for example, if one inflator fails or activates with insufficient force to deflect the associated trim panel.

[0089] As illustrated in Figure 9B, deployment may begin, for example, when deployment controller 126 (not shown in Figures 9A-9C) activates inflators 716 and 726 associated with inflatable curtain 122A and inflatable curtain 122B, respectively. In some instances, this may occur simultaneously (e.g., substantially simultaneously), as illustrated in Figure 9B.

[0090] The deployment controller 126 may then actuate any of one or more inflators 724 and 734, which are in flow communication with expandable bladder 124A and expandable bladder 124B, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 9B, actuation of inflators 716 and 726 generates sufficient force to create transverse openings 810 through which transverse portions 212 of inflatable curtains 122A and 122B pass when expanding from the stowed state to the deployed state. A tether 808 coupled to a distal bladder end 806 of expandable bladder 124A and a tether 808 coupled to a distal bladder end 806 of expandable bladder 124B begin to pull expandable bladders 124A and 124B toward their respective deployed states prior to and / or during actuation of inflators 724 and 734, which are in flow communication with expandable bladders 124A and 124B, respectively, to aid in the deployment of expandable bladders 124A and 124B. As illustrated, for example, as illustrated in Figures 9B and 9C, the transverse ceiling trim panel 704 defines a transverse distal end 812 configured to diverge from a central portion 814 of the transverse ceiling trim panel 704 in a direction transverse to the ceiling 700 of the vehicle 102 through an arc. In some examples, the inflators 716 and 726 associated with the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B may have a larger capacity (e.g., a larger volume, a higher pressure, and / or a higher flow rate) than the inflators 724 and / or 734 associated with the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B, for example, to provide sufficient force to open the transverse ceiling trim panel 704 along the transverse seam 708. In some examples, as a result of the inflators 716 and 726 and their ability to create the transverse opening 810 upon deployment of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B, the inflators 724 and 734 associated with the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B may have a smaller capacity relative to the inflators 716 and 726, as they may not contribute or may only partially contribute to the creation of the transverse opening 810 in some examples.

[0091] 9C generally illustrates a second illustration of the exemplary deployment sequence 900 with both inflatable curtains 122A and 122B and both inflatable bladders 124A and 124B fully deployed. As shown, tethers 808 remain connected to distal curtain ends 804 of each of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B and distal bladder ends 806 of each of the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B. In certain examples, this may serve to improve stability of the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B against the respective reaction surfaces created by the support sides 220 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B. Although Figures 8A-8C and 9A-9C illustrate examples in which the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B and the inflatable bladders 124A and 124B pass through a central opening 810 of the cross ceiling trim panel 704, in some examples, the cross ceiling trim panel 704 may be configured, for example, such that when deployed, the inflatable curtain 122A and / or the inflatable bladder 124A passes through a first lateral opening and the inflatable curtain 122B and / or the inflatable bladder 124B passes through a second lateral opening, using a first lateral opening and a second lateral opening on opposite sides of the central portion of the cross ceiling trim panel 704.

[0092] 10A-10C diagrammatically illustrate side views of an exemplary deployment sequence 1000 along line BB in FIG. 7 as an exemplary side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A changes from a stowed state in FIG. 10A to a deployed state in FIG. 10C. As diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A may be stowed in a fan-folded or accordion-like shape (e.g., to increase speed of deployment and / or improve completion of deployment) to improve deployment. Other stowage arrangements are contemplated. Only one side 210 and associated structure is illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10C, one or more other sides 210 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B may have the same or similar configuration.

[0093] 10A, the side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A is in a stowed state covered by an exemplary joined ceiling trim panel 712. In the illustrated example, the joined ceiling trim panel 712 defines a longitudinal seam 710 that extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L (see FIG. 7), such that the longitudinal seam 710 is configured to create an opening through which at least a portion of the side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A passes when deployed from the stowed state to the deployed state.

[0094] 10B , in an exemplary first instance of a deployment sequence 1000, the side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A begins to deploy upon actuation of the inflator 720 as the mating ceiling trim panel 712 deflects. As shown, the mating ceiling trim panel 712 defines an inner edge 1004 configured to be remote from a first side 1006 of the vehicle 102 and an outer edge 1008 configured to be between the inner edge 1004 and the first side 1006 of the vehicle 102. In the illustrated example, the inner edge 1004 of the mating ceiling trim panel 712 is configured to deflect from a remainder of the mating ceiling trim panel 712 in a direction transverse to the ceiling 700 of the vehicle 102 along a longitudinal seam 710 through an arc. When the deployment controller 126 (FIG. 7) activates the inflator 720, the side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A separates the longitudinal seam 710 from another portion of the ceiling 700 and / or the joined ceiling trim panel 712 to create an opening that deploys through at least a portion of the side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A.

[0095] 10C illustrates a second example of the example deployment sequence 1000 in which the side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A is fully deployed. As shown generally, the articulated ceiling trim panel 712 is deflected transversely across the ceiling 700 of the vehicle 102 along the longitudinal seam 710 through an arc. In one example, the opening created by the deflection of the articulated ceiling trim panel 712 may be adjacent to the opening created by the deflection of the transverse ceiling trim panel 704.

[0096] 11A-11C generally illustrate side views of an exemplary deployment sequence 1100 along line CC in FIG 7 as an exemplary side 210 of an inflatable curtain 122A changes from a stowed state in FIG 11A to a deployed state in FIG 11C. Only one side 210 and associated structure is illustrated in FIG 11A-11C, one or more other sides 210 of the inflatable curtains 122A and 122B may have the same or similar configurations.

[0097] 11A, the side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A is in a stowed state covered by a side ceiling trim panel 706. In the illustrated example, the mating ceiling trim panel 706 defines a longitudinal seam 710 that extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L (see FIG. 7), such that the longitudinal seam 710 is configured to create an opening through which at least a portion of the side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A passes when deployed from the stowed state to the deployed state.

[0098] 11B , in an exemplary first instance of a deployment sequence 1100, the side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A begins to deploy upon actuation of the inflator 720 as the mating ceiling trim panel 706 deflects. As shown, the mating ceiling trim panel 706 defines an inner edge 1102 configured to be remote from the first side 1006 of the vehicle 102 and an outer edge 1104 configured to be between the inner edge 1102 and the first side 1006 of the vehicle 102. In the illustrated example, the outer edge 1104 of the side ceiling trim panel 706 is configured to deflect in a direction transverse to the ceiling 700 of the vehicle 102 along a longitudinal seam 710 through an arc from the ceiling 700 or a remainder of the side ceiling trim panel 706. When the deployment controller 126 (FIG. 7) activates the inflator 720, the side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A separates the longitudinal seam 710 from another portion of the ceiling 700 and / or the side ceiling trim panel 706 to create an opening that deploys through at least a portion of the side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A.

[0099] 11C illustrates a second illustration of the example deployment sequence 1100 in which the side 210 of the inflatable curtain 122A is fully deployed. As illustrated generally, the side ceiling trim panel 706 is deflected transversely across the ceiling 700 of the vehicle 102 along the longitudinal seam 710 through an arc. In one example, the opening created by the deflection of the side ceiling trim panel 706 may be adjacent to one or more of the transverse ceiling trim panel 704 (see FIGS. 8A-8C and 9A-9C), the opening created by the deflection of the joint ceiling trim panel 712 (see FIGS. 10A-10C), the opening created by the deflection of the second joint ceiling trim panel 712, or the opening created by the deflection of the second side ceiling trim panel 706. Such adjacent openings will deploy in a configuration in which the respective sides 204 and 210 (see FIG. 7) and transverse portions 212 of the inflatable curtain 122A (and / or inflatable curtain 122B) are adjacent (e.g., a U-shaped configuration when viewed in cross section from the top or bottom (e.g., see FIG. 7).

[0100] 12 illustrates an example architecture 1200 including an example occupant protection system 120. In the illustrated example, the example occupant protection system 120 includes an inflatable occupant protection system 338 and a seat belt system 340 that controls the operation of seat belt-related systems in the vehicle 102. In the illustrated example, the inflatable occupant protection system 338 includes one or more inflatable curtains 122 and one or more inflatable bladders 124, for example, as described herein. The inflatable curtains 122 may each include one or more of a first side 204, a second side 210, and a transverse portion 212 extending between the first side 204 and the second side 210, and in one example, the first side 204 and the second side 210 are coupled to one another, as described herein. The expandable bladders 124 may each include one or more of a first expandable lateral arrestor 502, a second expandable lateral arrestor 504, and a central expandable arrestor 508, for example, as described herein.

[0101] In the exemplary architecture 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12, the occupant protection system 120 also includes a deployment controller 126, which is configured to supply fluid and / or gas to the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124 when actuated by, for example, the deployment controller 126, as described herein, one or more inflators 134 (e.g., inflators 716, 718, 720, 722, 724, 726, 728, 730, 732, and 734 illustrated in FIG. 7).

[0102] In one example, the deployment controller 126 may be configured to receive a signal indicative of a predicted crash involving the vehicle 102 and / or a crash involving the vehicle 102 and cause deployment of the one or more inflatable curtains 122 and / or the one or more inflatable bladders 124 based at least in part on the signal. For example, the sensor system 306 (see FIG. 3 ) of the vehicle 102 can provide information to the perception component 322 and / or the planning component 324, which can predict a collision with an object in an environment through which the vehicle 102 travels. The perception component 322 and / or the planning component 324 can provide information to, for example, a safety system actuator 1202, which in turn provides one or more signals to the deployment controller 126, which can actuate one or more inflators 134, causing deployment of the one or more inflatable curtains 122 and / or the one or more inflatable bladders 124, as described herein.

[0103] In one example, the deployment controller 126 may be configured to receive one or more signals indicating the presence of an occupant 104 at a first location of the vehicle 102 (e.g., within a valid range) associated with one of the expandable bladders 124 and to trigger deployment of the corresponding inflatable curtain 122 and / or expandable bladder 124 associated with the location of the occupant 104 based at least in part on the one or more signals. For example, the perception component 322 of the vehicle 102 may include an object classification system configured to determine information related to, for example, whether an object and / or occupant 104 is present in one or more of the respective seats 106 of the vehicle 102. In one example, the object classification system may leverage one or more of the sensor systems 306 of the vehicle 102 to determine information such as, for example, the size and / or weight of the object and / or occupant 104 (e.g., whether the occupant 104 is an adult, a child, or an infant). For example, an imaging system (e.g., a camera) within the vehicle 102 may determine the presence of an occupant 104 (and / or other object) in the seat 106. If the occupant 104 is not present, the deployment controller 126 may receive, e.g., via the safety system actuator 1202, one or more signals associated with whether the occupant 104 is in the seat 106, and determine, based at least in part on the one or more signals, whether to initiate deployment of an inflatable curtain 122 and / or an inflatable bladder 124 associated with the seat 106 (e.g., within an effective range) prior to or during a crash. For example, if the occupant 104 is not present in the seat 106, the deployment controller 126 may not initiate deployment of the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124. This may prevent unnecessary deployments and may prevent costs associated with servicing deployed portions of the occupant protection system 120.Alternatively, if an occupant 104 is present in the seat 106, the deployment controller 126 can initiate deployment of an inflatable curtain 122 and / or an inflatable bladder 124 associated with the location of the occupant 104 (e.g., within an effective range) to protect the occupant 104 during a crash. In at least some examples, the deployment controller 126 can initiate deployment of one or more inflatable curtains 122 and / or one or more inflatable bladders 124 regardless of whether an occupant is present.

[0104] In one example, the deployment controller 126 may be configured to receive one or more signals indicative of whether the occupant 104 is properly belted and to cause and / or control the deployment of the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124 associated with a position of the occupant 104 based at least in part on the one or more signals indicative of whether the occupant 104 is properly belted. For example, the sensor system 306 of the vehicle 102 may determine whether the occupant 104 is properly belted. The deployment controller 126 may receive one or more such signals and, based at least in part on the signals, initiate and / or control the deployment of the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124 prior to or during a crash in which the vehicle 102 is involved.

[0105] For example, if the occupant 104 is wearing a seat belt, the deployment controller 126 may, for example, reduce the deployment rate and / or deployment volume (or pressure) of the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124 because the seat belt would be expected to help prevent injury to the occupant 104 during a crash. On the other hand, if the occupant 104 is not properly wearing a seat belt, the deployment controller 126 may, for example, maintain or increase the deployment rate and / or deployment volume (or pressure) of the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124 because the seat belt would not be expected to help prevent injury to the occupant 104 during a crash.

[0106] In one example, the deployment of the one or more inflatable curtains 122 and / or the one or more inflatable bladders 124 may be affected by multiple parameters. For example, the deployment speed, deployment volume (and / or pressure), timing of deployment, and / or sequence of deployment of the one or more inflatable curtains 122 or inflatable bladders 124 may be varied based at least in part on one or more parameters, such as, for example, the severity of the crash impact, whether one or more occupants 104 are properly seat-belted, and / or the size and / or weight of the occupants 104 (e.g., depending on whether the occupant is an adult, a child, an infant, etc.).

[0107] In one example, the inflatable curtain 122 and the one or more inflatable bladders 124 may be deployed independently of one another. For example, the inflatable curtain 122 may be deployed without any of the inflatable bladders 124 being deployed. For example, if an object is detected in the interior 100 of the vehicle 102 and a rapid change in speed and / or direction of the vehicle 102 occurs, the inflatable curtain 122 may be deployed to prevent the object in the vehicle 102 from being thrown into the vehicle 102 during the rapid change in speed and / or direction. This may be particularly useful, for example, when an occupant 104 is in a seat 106 facing a seat in which one or more objects are located. When the speed and / or direction changes rapidly, the inflatable curtain 122 may be deployed to prevent the one or more objects from being thrown into the occupant 104 from the seat opposite the occupant 104.

[0108] The deployment controller 126, in one example, may be configured to receive one or more signals indicative of a direction of travel of the vehicle 102 and cause deployment of the inflatable curtain 122 and / or the inflatable bladder 124 based at least in part on the one or more signals indicative of the direction of travel of the vehicle 102. For example, the vehicle 102 may be a bidirectional vehicle configured to move between positions where either end of the vehicle 102 is a leading edge, e.g., as described herein with respect to FIG. 1. In such a vehicle, the seat 106 may face in the direction of travel when the vehicle 102 is traveling with one end of the vehicle 102 being a leading edge, but facing backwards with the other end of the vehicle 102 being a leading edge. The vehicle 102 may include sensors and / or systems configured to generate one or more signals indicative of whether the vehicle 102 is traveling in a direction where the seat 106 faces forward (i.e., along the direction of travel) or where the seat 106 faces backwards (i.e., against the direction of travel). The deployment controller 126 may be configured to prevent deployment of the inflatable curtain 122 and / or inflatable bladder 124 associated with the seat 106 even when occupied, for example, when the seat 106 is facing rearward based at least in part on a signal. This may prevent unnecessary deployment and may prevent costs associated with servicing a deployed portion of the occupant protection system 120. Alternatively, when the seat 106 is facing forward, for example, the deployment controller 126 may initiate deployment of the inflatable curtain 122 and / or inflatable bladder 124 associated with the position of the seat 106 to protect the occupant 104 during a crash, as described herein.

[0109] In various implementations, the parameter values ​​and other data illustrated herein may be included in one or more data stores, may be combined with other information not described, or may be partitioned differently into more, fewer, or different data structures. In some implementations, the data stores may be physically located in one memory or may be distributed between two or more memories.

[0110] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary architectures 300 and 1200 are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In particular, computing systems and devices may include any combination of hardware or software capable of performing the illustrated functions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances, tablet computers, PDAs, wireless telephones, pagers, and the like. The architectures 300 and 1200 may also be connected to other devices not illustrated, or may instead operate as stand-alone systems. Furthermore, functionality provided by the illustrated components may be combined into fewer components or distributed among additional components in some implementations. Similarly, in some implementations, certain functionality of the illustrated components may not be provided and / or other additional functionality may be available.

[0111] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that while various items are illustrated as being stored in memory or storage while in use, these items or portions thereof may be transferred between memory and other storage devices for purposes of memory management and data integrity. Alternatively, in other implementations, some or all of the software components may execute in the memory of another device and communicate with the illustrated architectures 300 and 1200. Some or all of the system components or data structures may also be stored (e.g., as instructions or structured data) in a non-transitory computer-accessible medium or portable product that is read by the various exemplary suitable drives described above. In some implementations, instructions stored in a computer-accessible medium distinct from the architectures 300 and 1200 may be transmitted to the architectures 300 and 1200 via a transmission medium or signal, such as an electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signal conveyed over a communication medium, such as a wireless link. Various implementations may further include receiving, transmitting, or storing instructions and / or data implemented in accordance with the foregoing description of a computer-accessible medium. Accordingly, the techniques described herein may be implemented with other control system configurations. Further information regarding the operation of the modules of the vehicle 102 is described below.

[0112] 13 and 14 are flow diagrams of an exemplary process illustrated as a collection of blocks in a logical flow graph, which represent a sequence of operations that may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In the context of software, the blocks represent computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable media that, when executed by one or more processors, perform the recited operations. Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described blocks may be combined in any order and / or the process may be implemented in parallel.

[0113] 13 is a flow diagram of an example process 1300 for deploying an expandable occupant protection system. At 1302, the example process 1300 may include receiving a crash signal indicating at least one of a crash or a predicted crash, for example, involving another vehicle or object. In one example, the crash signal may be generated, for example, by a perception and / or planning component, as described herein, and may be received, for example, by a deployment controller.

[0114] At 1304, the example process 1300 may include receiving an occupant signal indicating whether an occupant (and / or object) is present in a seat of the vehicle. For example, the object classification system and / or other portions of the vehicle system may generate a signal indicating whether an occupant is present in a seat of the vehicle, and in one example, one or more signals indicating the seat in which the occupant is seated. In one example, such a signal may be received, for example, by a deployment controller, as described herein.

[0115] At 1306, the example process 1300 may include determining whether an occupant is present in the seat based at least in part on the occupant signal. If not, the example process 1300 may return to 1302 without activating the occupant protection system, including the expandable occupant protection system.

[0116] On the other hand, if an occupant is present in the vehicle seat, as described herein, for example, the example process 1300 may include deflecting 1308 a transverse ceiling trim panel to create a transverse opening to allow deployment of the transverse portion of the inflatable curtain. In one example, this may include a deployment controller activating an inflator in flow communication with the transverse portion of the inflatable curtain. In one example, activation of the inflator may cause the inflator to initiate deployment of the transverse portion of the inflatable curtain, which may provide sufficient force against the transverse ceiling trim panel to open a transverse seam associated with the transverse ceiling trim panel, thereby allowing deployment of the transverse portion of the inflatable curtain through the created opening and ultimately achieving its deployed state.

[0117] At 1310, an example of the process 1300 may include, for example, deflecting a first side ceiling trim panel to create a longitudinal opening to allow deployment of the first side of the inflatable curtain to a deployed state, as described herein. In an example, this may include a deployment controller activating an inflator in flow communication with the first side of the inflatable curtain. In an example, activation of the inflator may cause initiation of deployment of the first side of the inflatable curtain, which may provide sufficient force against the first side ceiling trim panel to open a longitudinal seam associated with the first side ceiling trim panel, thereby allowing deployment of at least a portion of the first side of the inflatable curtain through the created opening and ultimately achieving its deployed state.

[0118] In some examples, 1308 and 1310 may occur simultaneously (e.g., substantially simultaneously). In some examples, the process may also include, for example, deflecting a second side ceiling trim panel to create a longitudinal opening to allow the second side of the inflatable curtain to deploy to the deployed state, as described herein. In some examples, this may include a deployment controller activating an inflator in flow communication with the second side of the inflatable curtain. In some examples, activation of the inflator may cause the second side of the inflatable curtain to begin deployment, which may provide sufficient force against the second side ceiling trim panel to open a longitudinal seam associated with the second side ceiling trim panel, thereby allowing at least a partial deployment of the second side of the inflatable curtain through the created opening, and ultimately achieving its deployed state. In some examples, activation of the inflator associated with the second side of the inflatable curtain may occur simultaneously with, for example, 1308 and 1310, as described herein. In certain instances, process 1300 may also include actuating one or more inflators in flow communication with each expandable bladder, for example, as described herein.

[0119] 14 is a flow diagram of an example process 1400 for deploying an expandable occupant protection system. At 1402, the example process 1400 may include receiving a crash signal indicating at least one of a crash or a predicted crash, for example, involving another vehicle or object. In one example, the crash signal may be generated, for example, by a perception and / or planning component, as described herein, and may be received, for example, by a deployment controller.

[0120] At 1404, the example process 1400 may include receiving an occupant signal indicating whether an occupant and / or object is present in a seat of the vehicle. For example, the object classification system and / or other portions of the vehicle system may generate one or more signals indicating whether an occupant and / or object is present in a seat of the vehicle, and in one example, which seat the occupant is seated in. In one example, such signals may be received, for example, by a deployment controller, as described herein.

[0121] At 1406, the example process 1400 may include determining whether an occupant is present in the seat based at least in part on the occupant signal. If not, the example process 1400 may return to 1402 without activating the occupant protection system, including the expandable occupant protection system.

[0122] On the other hand, if an occupant and / or object is present in a seat of the vehicle, the example process 1400 may include deploying, at 1408, the inflatable curtain from a stowed state to a deployed state presenting a responsive surface via a first inflator. In one example, the inflatable curtain may include a transverse portion presenting a responsive surface and a first side extending in a direction perpendicular to the transverse portion and substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In one such example, the process 1400 may include deploying, at 1408, the transverse portion of the inflatable curtain via a first inflator at a first time, and deploying the first side of the inflatable curtain from a stowed state to a deployed state via the first inflator and / or a second inflator at a first time. In one example, the inflatable curtain may include a second side spaced apart from and opposite the first side of the inflatable curtain. In one such example, at 1408, the process 1400 may include deploying a cross portion of the inflatable curtain via a first inflator at a first time, deploying a first side of the inflatable curtain from a stowed state to a deployed state via the first inflator and / or a second inflator at a first time, and deploying a second side of the inflatable curtain from a stowed state to a deployed state via the first inflator, the second inflator, and / or a third inflator at a first time. In one example, the first side, the second side, and the cross portion of the inflatable curtain may provide a contiguous boundary.

[0123] In some examples, the occupant protection system may include, for example, a second inflatable curtain as described herein. In some such examples, the process 1400 may include, at 1408, deploying the second inflatable curtain from a stowed state to a deployed state presenting a second responsive surface via one or more inflators (e.g., a first inflator, a second inflator, and / or a third inflator). Such an example of the process 1400 may include, for example, deploying a first side, a cross portion, and / or a second side of the second inflatable curtain in a manner at least similar to the manner in which the first inflatable curtain may be deployed.

[0124] At 1410, the exemplary process 1400 may include deploying an expandable bladder including an occupant facing surface and a rear surface from a stowed state to a deployed state via a second inflator at a second time after the first time, such that the rear surface of the expandable bladder contacts a reactive surface of the expandable curtain. In an example, the deployment controller may be in communication with a fourth inflator and may activate the fourth inflator. For example, the deployment controller may be configured to activate a fourth inflator in flow communication with the expandable bladder to activate the expandable bladder following a time delay (e.g., a time delay of about 500 milliseconds or less, a time delay of about 250 milliseconds or less, a time delay of about 100 milliseconds or less, a time delay of about 50 milliseconds or less, a time delay of about 25 milliseconds or less, or a time delay of about 5 milliseconds or less) after deployment of the expandable curtain. In an example, the occupant protection system may include a plurality of expandable bladders. For example, the occupant protection system may include an expandable bladder corresponding to one or more seats in the vehicle, e.g., each seat of the vehicle. In one such example, at 1410, the process 1400 may include deploying one or more additional expandable bladders via a fourth inflator and / or one or more additional inflators (e.g., an inflator for each of the expandable bladders) at a second time after the first time, each including a surface opposite the occupant facing surface and a rear surface from a stowed state to a deployed state such that a rear surface of each of the expandable bladders contacts a reactive surface of the inflatable curtain. In an example including a second inflatable curtain, the process 1400 may also include deploying one or more additional expandable bladders at 1410 at a second time such that a rear surface of each of the additional expandable bladders contacts a reactive surface of the second inflatable curtain.

[0125] It should be understood that the subject matter presented herein can be implemented as an article of manufacture, such as a computer process, a computer controller, a computing system, or a computer-readable storage medium. Although the subject matter described herein is presented in the general context of program modules executed on one or more computing devices, those skilled in the art will recognize that other implementations can be performed in combination with other types of program modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, and other types of structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.

[0126] Those skilled in the art will also understand that aspects of the subject matter described herein may be implemented or combined with other computer system configurations beyond those described herein, including multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, handheld computers, mobile phone devices, tablet computing devices, special purpose hardware devices, network equipment, and the like.

[0127] Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that techniques for deploying an occupant protection system are presented herein. Moreover, while the subject matter presented herein has been described in language specific to structural features of computers, methodological acts, and computer-readable media, it should be appreciated that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features, acts, or media described in the specification. Rather, the specific functions, acts, and media are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0128] The above subject matter is provided by way of example only and should not be construed as limiting. Moreover, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all of the shortcomings noted in any part of this disclosure. Various modifications and changes can be made to the subject matter described herein without following the examples and applications shown and described, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

[0129] (Example clauses) A. An example of an occupant protection system for a vehicle, the occupant protection system comprising: 1. An inflatable curtain configured to expand from a stored state to an expanded state, the inflatable curtain in the expanded state comprising: a first side configured to extend in a first direction along a portion of a first interior side of the vehicle; a second side spaced apart from the first side and configured to extend in a direction substantially parallel to the first direction; and an inflatable curtain including a transverse portion extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the transverse portion providing a reactive surface, the first side, the transverse portion, and the second side of the inflatable curtain forming an adjacent boundary; an expandable bladder including a surface opposite the occupant facing surface and a rear surface, the expandable bladder configured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state such that in the deployed state the rear surface of the expandable bladder contacts a reactive surface of the transverse portion of the expandable curtain; a transverse ceiling trim panel configured to be coupled to a ceiling of the vehicle and extend substantially parallel to the second direction, the transverse ceiling trim panel configured to deflect to cover a transverse portion of the extendable curtain in a stowed state and to permit the transverse portion to be extended to a deployed state; and A side ceiling trim panel configured to be coupled to a vehicle ceiling and extend substantially parallel to a first direction, the side ceiling trim panel configured to deflect to cover a side of the inflatable curtain in a stowed state and to enable the first side of the inflatable curtain to be extended to an unfolded state.

[0130] B. In the occupant protection system described in Example A, the transverse ceiling trim panel includes a transverse seam extending substantially parallel to the second direction, the transverse seam being configured to pass through the transverse portion of the inflatable curtain to create a transverse opening when the inflatable curtain expands from the stowed state to the deployed state.

[0131] C. In an occupant protection system as described in Example A or Example B, the side ceiling trim panel includes a longitudinal seam extending substantially parallel to the first direction, the longitudinal seam configured to generate a longitudinal opening through which a first side of the inflatable curtain passes when expanded from a stowed state to a deployed state.

[0132] D. In an occupant protection system described in any one of Examples A to C, the transverse ceiling trim panel and the side ceiling trim panel are configured to create an adjacent opening through which the transverse portion and the first side pass when expanded from a stowed state to a deployed state.

[0133] E. The occupant protection system of any one of Examples A through D, wherein at least a portion of the transverse ceiling trim panel adjacent the transverse seam is configured to deflect away from the vehicle ceiling through an arc.

[0134] F. The occupant protection system of any one of Examples A through E, wherein at least a portion of the ceiling trim panel on a side adjacent the longitudinal seam is configured to deflect away from the vehicle ceiling through an arc.

[0135] G. An example of an occupant protection system for a vehicle, the ceiling trim panel system includes a transverse ceiling trim panel configured to be coupled to a ceiling of the vehicle and extend in a first direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the transverse ceiling trim panel configured to deflect to cover a transverse portion of an extendable curtain in a stowed state and to enable the transverse portion to be extended to a deployed state.

[0136] H. The ceiling trim panel of example G, further comprising a first side ceiling trim panel configured to be coupled to the vehicle ceiling and extend in a second direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and configured to deflect to cover the first side of the inflatable curtain in a stowed state and to enable the first side of the inflatable curtain to be extended to a deployed state.

[0137] I. A ceiling trim panel system as described in Example G or Example H, wherein the transverse ceiling trim panel includes a transverse seam extending substantially parallel to a first direction, the transverse seam being configured to allow a transverse portion of the inflatable curtain to pass through and create an opening when deployed from a stowed state to a deployed state.

[0138] J. In a ceiling trim panel system described in any one of Examples G through I, the ceiling trim panel on the first side includes a longitudinal seam extending substantially parallel to the second direction, the longitudinal seam configured to allow the first side of the inflatable curtain to pass through and create an opening when deployed from a stowed state to an deployed state.

[0139] K. In a ceiling trim panel system described in any one of Examples G to J, the cross ceiling trim panel and the side ceiling trim panel are configured such that when expanded from a stowed state to a deployed state, the cross portion and the first side pass through to create an adjacent opening.

[0140] L. The ceiling trim panel system of any one of Examples G through K, wherein at least a portion of the transverse ceiling trim panel adjacent the transverse seam is configured to deflect away from the vehicle ceiling through an arc.

[0141] M. In the ceiling trim panel system of any one of Examples G through L, at least a portion of the ceiling trim panel on a first side adjacent the longitudinal seam is configured to deviate from a position that traverses the vehicle ceiling through an arc.

[0142] N. The ceiling trim panel system of any one of Examples G through M, further comprising an adjoining ceiling trim panel associated with the cross ceiling trim panel and the side ceiling trim panel, the adjoining ceiling trim panel configured to deflect to cover one or more cross portions of the expandable curtain or a portion of a first side of the expandable curtain in a stowed state to enable expansion of the one or more cross portions or the first side of the expandable curtain to an expanded state.

[0143] O. The ceiling trim panel system of any one of Examples G through N, further comprising a second side ceiling trim panel spaced apart from the first side ceiling trim panel and configured to be coupled to a ceiling of the vehicle and extend substantially parallel in a second direction, the second side ceiling trim panel configured to deflect to cover a second side of the extendable curtain in a stowed state and to enable deployment of the second side to a deployed state.

[0144] P. In the ceiling trim panel system described in any one of Examples G to O, the ceiling trim panel on the second side includes a second longitudinal seam extending substantially parallel to the second direction, the second longitudinal seam configured to allow the second side of the inflatable curtain to pass through to create an opening when deployed from the stowed state to the deployed state.

[0145] Q. A method for deploying an expandable curtain from a stowed state through an deployed state to create an opening, the method comprising: providing a transverse ceiling trim panel coupled to a ceiling of the vehicle and extending in a first direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the transverse ceiling trim panel covering a transverse portion of the inflatable curtain in a stowed state; providing a first side ceiling trim panel coupled to a ceiling of the vehicle and extending in a second direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the first side ceiling trim panel covering a first side of the inflatable curtain in a stowed state; deflecting a transverse ceiling trim panel to create a transverse opening and permit deployment of a transverse portion of the inflatable curtain to a deployed condition; and The method includes deflecting a ceiling trim panel on a first side to create a longitudinal opening to permit deployment of the first side of the inflatable curtain to an deployed condition.

[0146] R. The method of Example Q, wherein the steps of deflecting the cross ceiling trim panel and deflecting the first side ceiling trim are performed simultaneously.

[0147] S. The method of Example Q or Example R, wherein the transverse opening and the longitudinal opening are adjacent.

[0148] T. The method according to any one of Examples Q to S, The step of deflecting the transverse ceiling trim panel includes opening a transverse seam defined by the transverse ceiling trim panel to create a transverse opening; and Deflecting the first side ceiling trim panel includes opening a longitudinal seam defined by the first side ceiling trim panel to create a longitudinal opening.

[0149] U. An example of an occupant protection system for a vehicle, the occupant protection system comprising: 1. An inflatable curtain configured to expand from a stored state to an expanded state, the inflatable curtain in the expanded state comprising: A first side configured to extend in a first direction along a portion of a first interior side of the vehicle; and a transverse portion extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the transverse portion providing a reactive surface, the first side of the inflatable curtain and the transverse portion forming an adjacent boundary; the expandable bladder includes a surface opposite the occupant facing surface and a rear surface, the expandable bladder configured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state such that in the deployed state, the rear surface of the expandable bladder contacts the reactive surface of the transverse portion of the expandable curtain; a first inflator in flow communication with the inflatable curtain and configured to inflate the inflatable curtain from a stowed condition to a deployed condition upon actuation of the first inflator; a second inflator in flow communication with the expandable bladder and configured to expand the expandable bladder from the stowed state to the deployed state upon actuation of the second inflator; and A deployment controller is in communication with the first inflator and the second inflator and configured to actuate the first inflator and the second inflator.

[0150] V. In the occupant protection system described in Example U, the deployment controller is configured to activate the first inflator before activating the second inflator.

[0151] W. In the occupant protection system described in Example U or Example V, actuation of the first inflator is configured to separate at least a portion of the trim panel from the vehicle ceiling to create an opening through which the inflatable curtain and the inflatable bladder can expand.

[0152] X. An occupant protection system as described in any one of Examples U through W, wherein at least a portion of the inflatable bladder is connected to at least a portion of the inflatable curtain.

[0153] Y. In an occupant protection system described in any one of Examples U to X, the expandable curtain in the deployed state includes a distal curtain end, the expandable bladder in the deployed state includes a distal bladder end, and the occupant protection system further includes a tether connecting the distal curtain end and the distal bladder end.

[0154] Z. In an exemplary embodiment of a deployment system for an occupant protection system, the deployment system comprises: The deployment controller is configured to actuate an inflator in flow communication with the one or more inflatable curtains or inflatable bladders; The first inflator is in flow communication with the one or more inflatable curtains or inflatable bladders and is configured to cause the one or more inflatable curtains to deploy from a stowed state to a deployed state upon actuation of the first inflator by the deployment controller.

[0155] AA. The deployment system of Example Z, further including a second inflator in flow communication with the expandable bladder and configured to deploy the expandable bladder from a stowed state to a deployed state upon activation of the second inflator by the deployment controller, the deployment controller configured to activate the first inflator prior to activating the second inflator.

[0156] BB. The deployment system of Example Z or Example AA, in flow communication with the inflatable curtain and configured to cause deployment of a first portion of the inflatable curtain from a stowed state to a deployed state upon actuation of the third inflator by the deployment controller.

[0157] CC. Any one of the deployment systems described in Examples Z through BB, wherein the deployment system is configured to simultaneously activate the first inflator and the third inflator.

[0158] DD. In the deployment system described in any one of Examples Z to CC, the first inflator has a first deployment pressure, a first deployment volume, and a first deployment flow rate; the second inflator has a second deployment pressure, a second deployment volume, and a second deployment flow rate; At least one The first deployment pressure is different from the second deployment pressure; the first deployed volume is different from the second deployed volume; or The first deployment flow rate is different from the second deployment flow rate.

[0159] EE. In the deployment systems described in Examples Z through DD, the expandable bladder includes a first expandable bladder, and the deployment system further includes a third inflator in flow communication with the second expandable bladder and is configured to cause deployment of the second expandable bladder from the stowed state to the deployed state upon actuation of the third inflator by the deployment controller.

[0160] FF. In any one of the deployment systems described in Examples Z through EE, the deployment controller is configured to simultaneously activate the second inflator and the third inflator.

[0161] GG. In the deployment systems described in Examples Z through FF, the inflatable curtain includes a first inflatable curtain, and the deployment system further includes a third inflator in flow communication with the second inflatable curtain and is configured to cause deployment of the second inflatable curtain from the stowed state to the deployed state upon activation of the third inflator by the deployment controller.

[0162] HH. In any one of the deployment systems described in Examples Z through GG, the deployment controller is configured to simultaneously activate the first inflator and the third inflator.

[0163] II. In the deployment system described in any one of Examples Z to HH, the first inflatable curtain in the deployed state includes a first distal curtain end, the second inflatable curtain in the deployed state includes a second distal curtain end, and the deployment system further includes a tether connecting the first distal curtain end and the second distal curtain end.

[0164] In any one of the deployment systems of Example Z to Example II, the deployment controller: receiving a signal indicating the presence of one or more occupants or objects in the seat; The first inflator is configured to actuate, based at least in part on the signal, to deploy an inflatable curtain or an inflatable bladder associated with the one or more seats.

[0165] KK. An exemplary method for deploying an occupant protection system from a stowed state to a deployed state, the method comprising: deploying the inflatable curtain via a first inflator at a first time from a stowed state to a deployed state presenting a responsive surface; and After the first time, the method may include deploying an expandable bladder including an occupant facing surface and a rear surface from a stowed state to a deployed state via a second inflator at a second time, whereby the rear surface of the expandable bladder contacts the responsive surface of the inflatable curtain.

[0166] LL. In the method of example KK, the first inflator has a first deployment pressure, a first deployment volume, and a first deployment flow rate; the second inflator has a second deployment pressure, a second deployment volume, and a second deployment flow rate; At least one The first deployment pressure is different from the second deployment pressure; the first deployed volume is different from the second deployed volume; or The first deployment flow rate is different from the second deployment flow rate.

[0167] M. In the method of Example KK or Example LL, the expandable bladder includes a first expandable bladder, and the method may further include deploying a second expandable bladder including a surface opposite the second occupant facing surface and a second rear surface from a stowed state to a deployed state via a third inflator at a second time, such that the rear surface of the second expandable bladder contacts the responsive surface of the expandable curtain.

[0168] NN. In the methods described in Examples KK to MM, the occupant protection system comprises at least one further inflatable curtain and at least one further inflatable bladder, and the method further comprises a step of deploying the at least one at least one further inflatable curtain or the at least one further inflatable bladder via at least one further inflator.

Claims

1. 1. An occupant protection system for a vehicle, comprising:

1. An inflatable curtain configured to expand from a stored state to an deployed state, the curtain comprising: a first side configured to extend in a first direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a second side spaced apart from the first side and configured to extend in a direction substantially parallel to the first direction; a transverse portion extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction, wherein the first side, the second side, and the transverse portion are separate components forming the inflatable curtain; an expandable bladder including an occupant facing surface and a rear surface opposite the occupant facing surface, the expandable bladder configured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state; and an expandable curtain including: a transverse ceiling trim panel coupled to a ceiling of the vehicle and configured to extend substantially parallel to the second direction, the transverse ceiling trim panel configured to cover a transverse portion of the inflatable curtain in the stowed state and deflect to allow the transverse portion to be extended to a deployed state; An occupant protection system equipped with

2. the transverse ceiling trim panel includes a transverse seam extending substantially parallel to the second direction, the transverse seam configured to create a transverse opening through which the transverse portion of the inflatable curtain passes when expanded from the stowed state to the deployed state.

2. An occupant protection system according to claim 1.

3. a side ceiling trim panel coupled to the ceiling of the vehicle and configured to extend substantially parallel to the first direction, the side ceiling trim panel configured to deflect to cover the side of the inflatable curtain in the stowed state and to allow the first side of the inflatable curtain to be extended to the deployed state. An occupant protection system according to any one of claims 1 to 2.

4. the side ceiling trim panel includes a longitudinal seam extending substantially parallel to the first direction, the longitudinal seam configured to create a longitudinal opening through which the first side of the inflatable curtain passes when expanded from the stowed state to the deployed state. An occupant protection system according to claim 3.

5. the transverse ceiling trim panel and the side ceiling trim panel are configured to create an adjacent opening through which the transverse portion and the first side portion pass when extended from the stowed state to the deployed state. An occupant protection system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. At least a portion of the transverse ceiling trim panel adjacent the transverse seam is configured to deflect away from the ceiling of the vehicle through an arc. An occupant protection system according to claim 2.

7. at least a portion of the side ceiling trim panel adjacent the longitudinal seam is configured to deflect away from the ceiling of the vehicle through an arc; An occupant protection system according to claim 4.

8. and a joint ceiling trim panel associated with the transverse ceiling trim panel and the side ceiling trim panel, the joint ceiling trim panel being coupled to the ceiling of the vehicle and configured to deflect to cover the transverse portion of the inflatable curtain or one or more portions of the first side of the inflatable curtain in the stowed state to enable deployment of the transverse portion of the inflatable curtain or one or more portions of the first side of the inflatable curtain to a deployed state. An occupant protection system according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

9. the side ceiling trim panel includes a first side ceiling trim panel; The occupant protection system further comprises a second side ceiling trim panel spaced from the first side ceiling trim panel and coupled to the ceiling of the vehicle and configured to extend substantially parallel to the first direction, the second side ceiling trim panel configured to deflect to cover a second side of the inflatable curtain in the stowed state and to permit deployment of the second side to a deployed state. An occupant protection system according to any one of claims 3 to 5 or 8.

10. the second side ceiling trim panel includes a second longitudinal seam extending substantially parallel to the first direction, the second longitudinal seam configured to create an opening through which the second side of the inflatable curtain passes when deployed from the stowed state to the deployed state.

10. An occupant protection system according to claim 9.

11. 1. A method for deploying an inflatable curtain from a stowed state through an deployed state to create an opening, comprising: providing a transverse ceiling trim panel coupled to a ceiling of the vehicle and extending in a first direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the transverse ceiling trim panel covering a transverse portion of an inflatable curtain in a stowed state and an expandable bladder including an occupant facing surface and a rear surface opposite the occupant facing surface, the expandable bladder configured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state; providing a first side ceiling trim panel coupled to the ceiling of the vehicle and extending in a second direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the first side ceiling trim panel covering a first side of the inflatable curtain separate from the transverse portion in a stowed state; deflecting the transverse ceiling trim panel to create a transverse opening to permit deployment of the transverse portion of the inflatable curtain and the inflatable bladder to a deployed condition; deflecting a ceiling trim panel on the first side to create a longitudinal opening to permit deployment of the first side of the inflatable curtain to a deployed condition; A method for providing the above.

12. simultaneously deflecting the transverse ceiling trim panel and deflecting the first side ceiling trim; The method of claim 11.

13. the transverse opening and the longitudinal opening are adjacent; The method of claim 11.

14. the deflecting step includes deflecting the transverse ceiling trim panel to open a transverse seam to create the transverse opening; and deflecting the first side ceiling trim panel includes deflecting the first side ceiling trim panel to open a longitudinal seam to create the longitudinal opening. The method of claim 11.

15. One or more computer readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, configure a system to perform the method of any one of claims 11 to 14.

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