Airbag system and method(s) of use thereof

The present disclosure relates to an airbag system which is operable to deploy in a vehicle crash event. The airbag system includes an airbag having an upper chamber, a lower chamber, an actuator, a tether, and an actuatable pin. In one example, the tether has a predetermined length and extends between the actuator and the lower chamber. The actuator is disposed at a predetermined lateral distance from the lateral chamber and is configured to inflate the upper chamber and the lower chamber to a predefined pressure. Furthermore, the actuatable pin is configured to maintain the tether in an indirect path when the airbag is not deployed and the actuatable pin is configured to allow the tether to have a direct path between the actuator and the lower chamber when the airbag is deployed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an airbag system and related method(s) to deploy the airbag system in a vehicle crash event.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles provide a variety of passive restraint systems to protect an occupant from injury during a vehicle crash event. Exemplary passive restraint systems may include airbags disposed at multiple locations within the vehicle. The airbag includes an inflatable bag that is deployed during the vehicle crash event to provide cushioning to the occupant who hits against the inflated airbag.

To protect the occupant during a side crash event, the vehicles include one or more side airbags. The side airbags are generally installed in a side of a vehicle seat and are deployed from the side of the seat to protect the occupant in the seat. Although the side airbags provide adequate protection to the occupant's upper body region (i.e. torso), the side airbags provide little or no protection to a lower body region of the occupant, such as lower extremities of the occupants including the thighs and upper legs of the occupant.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to aspects of an airbag system that can provide adequate protection to an occupant's upper and lower body region during a vehicle crash event.

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the airbag system having two chamber airbag arrangement including a tether coupled with a lower chamber operable to position the lower chamber during a crash event. The airbag may deploy and inflate to a predetermined pressure during a vehicle crash event. The airbag system can have a two chamber airbag (e.g. an upper chamber and a lower chamber), and include an actuator, a tether, and an actuatable pin. In one example, the tether has a predetermined length extending between the actuator and the lower chamber. The tether, while being coupled to the lower chamber and the actuator, may assume a direct path and/or an indirect path. Specifically, the actuatable pin disposed along the length of the tether maintains the tether in the indirect path when the airbag is in an undeployed state. The undeployed state is where the two chambers remain collapsed and no vehicle crash event is detected. During the vehicle crash event, the actuator operably generates a predetermined tension in the tether that actuates the pin and allows the tether to assume the direct path between the actuator and the lower chamber, thereby positioning the lower chamber.

In one example, the upper chamber and the lower chamber are in fluidic communication with each other. During the vehicle crash event, the lower chamber may inflate prior to the upper chamber. The airbag system may include and/or operably communicate with an impact sensor to operably deploy the airbag. In addition, the airbag system may include a seat position sensor that prevents the actuation of the pin if a seat is positioned in one or more predetermined positions. In one example, the actuator is a spool actuator that generates the predetermined tension on the tether and receives a portion of the tether during the vehicle crash event. The tether has a pretension less than the predetermined tension. In one example, the actuatable pin may include a breakable pin, while in another example, the actuatable pin is a retractable pin that is operable to transition from an extended position to a retracted position during the vehicle crash event.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a vehicle safety system that includes a seat and an airbag. In one example, the seat includes a seat back that has a substantially vertical orientation and a seat cushion that has a substantially horizontal orientation. Further, the airbag may inflate to a predetermined pressure when deployed during a vehicle crash event. The airbag may be disposed within at least a portion of the seat back of the seat. The airbag includes an upper chamber that may deploy adjacent to an occupant shoulder region and a lower chamber that deploys adjacent to an occupant hip region. The airbag further includes an actuator disposed at a lateral distance from the lower chamber. A tether having a predetermined length extends between the lower chamber and the actuator. An actuatable pin is disposed along the predetermined length of the tether and maintains the tether in an indirect path between the actuator and the lower chamber. In one example, when the airbag is deployed, the actuator creates a predetermined tension on the tether and the actuatable pin actuates to allow the tether to assume a direct path between the lower chamber and the actuator.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for deploying an airbag in a vehicle upon detecting a vehicle crash event. The airbag includes an upper chamber, a lower chamber, an actuator, an actuatable pin, and a tether. The tether having a predetermined length extends between the lower chamber and the actuator. Further, the actuator and the actuatable pin are disposed along the predetermined length of the tether for maintaining the tether in an indirect path between the actuator and the lower chamber. The method further includes actuating the actuatable pin, thereby creating tension in the tether. Actuation of the actuatable pin positions the lower chamber adjacent to an occupant hip region. In one example, the actuatable pin is a breakable pin and the process of actuating the actuatable pin breaks the pin thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides an airbag system for protecting the lower extremities of an occupant. The airbag system includes an airbag operable to deploy during a vehicle crash event, wherein during the vehicle crash event the airbag is operable to inflate to a predetermined pressure. The airbag includes an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and an actuator. The actuator is disposed at a predetermined lateral distance from the lower chamber. The airbag system further includes a tether extending between the actuator and the lower chamber of the airbag. The tether has a predetermined length. An actuatable pin is disposed along the predetermined length of the tether and maintains the tether in an indirect path between the actuator and the lower chamber. During the vehicle crash event, the actuator is operable to generate a predetermined tension on the tether and the pin actuates to allow the tether to have a direct path between the actuator and the lower chamber.

In one example, the upper chamber and the lower chamber of the airbag system are in fluidic communication. Further, the actuator is a spool actuator, and during the vehicle crash event, the spool actuator is operable to generate the predetermined tension on the tether and receive at least a portion of the tether therein. The tether has a pretension less than the predetermined tension.

In one example, the airbag system further includes an impact sensor operably to deploy the airbag. During the vehicle crash event, the lower chamber is operable to inflate prior to the upper chamber. The airbag system also includes a seat position sensor, wherein the seat position sensor is operable to prevent deployment of the airbag if a seat position is in one or more predetermined positions.

In one example, the actuatable pin is a breakable pin. In another example, the actuatable pin is a retractable pin, the retractable pin is operable to transition from an extended position to a retracted position during the vehicle crash event.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vehicle safety system for protecting the lower extremities of an occupant. The vehicle safety system includes a seat having a seat back and a seat cushion, and an airbag operable to deploy during a vehicle crash. The seat back of the seat has a substantially vertical orientation and the seat cushion has a substantially horizontal orientation. During the vehicle crash event, the airbag is operable to inflate to a predetermined pressure.

The airbag can include an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and an actuator disposed at a predetermined lateral distance from the lower chamber. The upper chamber is operable to deploy adjacent to an occupant shoulder region, while the lower chamber is operable to deploy adjacent to an occupant hip region. The airbag further includes a tether extending between the actuator and the lower chamber of the airbag, the tether having a predetermined length. An actuatable pin is disposed along the predetermined length of the tether and maintains the tether in an indirect path between the actuator and the lower chamber. During the vehicle crash event, the actuator is operable to generate a predetermined tension on the tether and the pin actuates to allow the tether to have a direct path between the actuator and the lower chamber.

In one example, the airbag is operably disposed within the seat back of the seat. Further, the upper chamber and the lower chamber are in fluidic communication. In one example, the actuator is a spool actuator. During the vehicle crash event, the spool actuator is operable to generate the predetermined tension on the tether and receive at least a portion of the tether therein, thereby positioning the lower chamber adjacent to the occupant hip region. The vehicle safety system further includes an impact sensor operably to deploy the airbag. Furthermore, the seat includes a seat position sensor, wherein the seat position sensor is operable to prevent deploying of the airbag if the seat back and/or the seat cushion are in a predetermined position.

In one example, the actuatable pin is a breakable pin. In another example, the actuatable pin is a retractable pin. The retractable pin is operable to transition from an extended position to a retracted position during the vehicle crash event.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for protecting the lower extremities of an occupant. The method includes a step of detecting a vehicle crash event. The method further includes a step of deploying an airbag upon detecting the vehicle crash event. The airbag includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The lower chamber has a tether with a predetermined length extending between the lower chamber and an actuator. Further, an actuatable pin is disposed along the predetermined length of the tether maintaining the tether in an indirect path between the actuator and the lower chamber. The method further includes a step of actuating the actuatable pin, a step of tensioning, via the actuator, the tether, and a step of positioning, via the tether, the lower chamber adjacent to an occupant hip region.

In one example, the upper chamber and the lower chamber are in fluidic communication. The actuatable pin is a breakable pin and actuating the actuatable pin breaks the breakable pin.

FIG. 1illustrates a vehicle safety system100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle safety system100includes a seat104and an airbag118disposed within the seat104. In one example, the airbag118is disposed within a seat back114of the seat104. It should be noted that the airbag118may be disposed at any other suitable position within the seat104of the vehicle. In the present disclosure, the airbag118is a side airbag configured to protect an occupant102during a vehicle crash event. The vehicle may be any automobile such as a car, van, or bus (including an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle), using all known methods of powertrain and propulsion systems (i.e., combustion engine, battery-electric, hybrid, etc.).

The seat104, as shown inFIG. 1, includes a frame106that forms a basic structure of the seat104. The frame106further includes a first sub-frame106aand a second sub-frame106b. The first sub-frame106aallows mounting of the seat104on a floor of the vehicle. The second sub-frame106bcouples to the first sub-frame106avia a reclining mechanism110. It may be understood that the reclining mechanism110allows the second sub-frame106bto pivot with respect to the first sub-frame106a.

The seat104further includes a seat cushion112mounted on the first sub-frame106asuch that the seat cushion112supports a lower body region102aof the occupant102. The seat cushion112may also be configured to support and retain the lower body region102ain the vehicle crash event. In one example, the seat cushion112has a substantially horizontal orientation with respect to the floor of the vehicle.

The seat back114that may be mounted on the second sub-frame106b. It should be noted that the seat back114may assume one or more predetermined positions that allows the seat back114to orient with respect to the seat cushion112and/or the floor of the vehicle. To achieve the one or more predetermined positions, the reclining mechanism110may be employed that can align the seat back114at an angle with respect to the seat cushion112. In one such predetermined position, the seat back114is positioned substantially vertical with respect to the seat cushion112. While not shown explicitly, the reclining mechanism110may include a knob that can be rotated by the occupant102to align the seat back114with respect to the seat cushion112and/or the floor.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the airbag118is configured to transition between an undeployed state and a deployed state. While the airbag118rests within the seat back114in the undeployed state, the airbag118in the deployed state may extend laterally outwards with respect to the seat back114. It should be noted that a new vehicle may come with the airbag118packed within the seat back114, such that the airbag118remains in the undeployed state until the vehicle crash event is detected by the vehicle. In one example, the vehicle crash event includes a side crash event and/or a lateral collision.

Once the vehicle crash event is detected, the airbag118transitions to the deployed state to protect the occupant102from injury. To that end, the vehicle safety system100may include one or more sensors (not shown) configured to detect the vehicle crash event that would lead to the deployment of the airbag118. For instance, the system100may include an impact sensor (not shown) configured to detect the vehicle crash event. The impact sensor can be an electrical sensor or a mechanical sensor. The mechanical sensor can be, but not limited to, mass-type sensor and roller-type sensor. In another instance, the electrical sensor can be, but not limited to, accelerometer-based sensor and gyroscope-based sensors.

Once the vehicle crash event is detected, the impact sensor communicates the event to a vehicle computer (not shown) such as an electronic control module (ECM). Eventually, the vehicle computer sends a command to an inflator126that is disposed along a lateral side of the seat cushion112. Upon receiving the command, the inflator126may inflate the airbag118to transition the airbag118into the deployed state, thereby protecting the occupant102sitting on the seat112.

As may be seen inFIG. 1, the airbag118includes an upper chamber120and a lower chamber122. The airbag118is designed in a manner such that, in the deployed state, the upper chamber120protects an upper body region102bof the occupant102and the lower chamber122protects the lower body region102aof the occupant102. It may be noted that the upper body region102bmay include a neck, shoulder, and/or head region of the occupant102, while the lower body region102aincludes a pelvic, hip and/or thigh region of the occupant102.

In one example, the upper chamber120may size substantially larger as compared to the lower chamber122. This enables the two chambers120and122to provide effective protection to the corresponding upper and lower regions102band102aof the occupant102, respectively, during the vehicle crash event. To that end, the two chambers120and122may be made from a suitable material that imparts substantial stiffness, while maintaining the flexibility. This enables immediate deployment and accurate positioning of the two chambers120and122during the vehicle crash event. It may be understood that the size, shape and/or stiffness of the two chambers120and122may vary or remain the same for specific vehicles.

In one example, the upper chamber120and the lower chamber122may be manufactured as a single unit. In the other example, the upper chamber120and the lower chamber122may be manufactured as separate units and joined using one or more suitable techniques, such as sewing, stitching, taping, heat sealing, and the like.

Further, the upper chamber120and the lower chamber122may have a baffle124positioned therebetween. The baffle124allows a fluidic communication between the two chambers120and122.

The inflator126supplies an inflation fluid (not shown) to the two chambers120and122to transition the airbag118to the deployed state. As may be understood the inflator126supplies a chemical that creates a large volume of gas at a high pressure to inflate the upper chamber120and the lower chamber122. The chemical, in one example, can be a propellant housed within a casing of the inflator126. In at least one instance, the propellant can be Potassium Nitrate and/or mixture thereof. The present disclosure includes a single inflator126to inflate the two chambers120and122, however, it may be noted that two separate inflators (not shown) may be employed to separately inflate the two chambers120and122. In addition, the inflator126may supply the inflation fluid (not shown) to the two chambers120and122simultaneously, such that the two chambers120and122are inflated in parallel.

The airbag118further includes an actuator128disposed in the second sub-frame106bbeneath the seat cushion112of the vehicle. The actuator128may be disposed at a predetermined lateral distance from the lower chamber122. The lateral distance may be the distance between the actuator128and the lower chamber122along a side of the seat104.

Further, the actuator128is operably coupled to the lower chamber122by a tether130. In other words, the tether130extends between the actuator128and the lower chamber122. The actuator128, in operation, exerts a pulling force on the lower chamber122via the tether130to position the lower chamber122adjacent to the occupant's lower body region102ain the deployed state.

The actuator128can be of different types based on their design. For instance, the actuator128can be a pyro-technic linear actuator that can generate tension to pull the tether130towards the actuator128as shown inFIG. 1. In another instance, the actuator128can be a rotary spool actuator that can spin at high speeds to spool the tether130therearound (as detailed inFIG. 2).

According to the present disclosure, the tether130has a predetermined length L1. In one example, the predetermined length L1remains constant while the tether130extends between the lower chamber122and the actuator128. Further, the tether130can assume two different paths namely, an indirect path P1and a direct path P2. The indirect path P1is a path that the tether130assumes when the airbag118is in the undeployed state. The tether130assumes the direct path P2when the airbag118is in the deployed state.

According to one embodiment, the tether130is made up of an elastic material. The elasticity may allow the tether130to transition between the direct path P2and the indirect path P1. For instance, a first tension may be applied to the tether130to maintain the tether130in the indirect path P1, such that applying a second tension greater than the first tension may allow the tether130to assume the direct path P2.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the actuator128may be employed to control the tether130to assume the indirect path P1and the direct path P2. For instance, the tether130may have a pretension that imparts tautness in the tether130, thereby maintaining the tether130in the indirect path P1. In another instance, the actuator128may apply another tension having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the pretension, thereby allowing the tether130to assume the direct path P2. For example, the actuator128applies a predetermined tension greater than the pretension to the tether130that causes a portion of the tether130to move towards the actuator128. As a result, the actuator128receives a portion of the tether130that can be spooled by the actuator128.

The airbag system118further includes an actuatable pin132disposed along the predetermined length L1of the tether130. The actuatable pin132is configured to maintain the tether130in the indirect path P1in the undeployed state of the airbag118. Moreover, the actuatable pin132is configured to hold the tether130in a manner that the tension applied to the tether130by the actuator128is also experienced by the actuatable pin132. The actuatable pin132is configured to release the tether130to allow the tether130to assume the direct path P2, upon application of the predetermined tension on the tether130.

In one example, the actuatable pin132is a breakable pin that can be broken by applying the predetermined tension that allows the tether130to assume the direct path P2. To accomplish this, the actuatable pin132may have a yield strength less to the second predetermined tension applied to the tether130but greater than the predetermined pre-tension. Accordingly, when the actuator128applies the predetermined tension to the tether130, the tether130applies the same predetermined tension to the actuatable pin132causing the actuatable pin132to break. The breaking of the actuatable pin132releases the tether130to assume the direct path P2.

In another example, the actuatable pin132is a retractable pin that can transition between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the actuatable pin132may hold the tether130and allow the tether130to assume the indirect path P1. While in the retracted position, the actuatable pin132may be retracted within a portion of the seat104that allows the tether130to assume the direct path P2. It may be noted that the actuatable pin132is configured to move from the extended position to the retracted position when the predetermined tension is applied to the tether130. This allows the airbag118to transition to the deployed state.

While the airbag118in the shown embodiment is disposed within a single seat104of the vehicle, it should be noted that the airbag118may be disposed in one or more of the other seats of the vehicle to protect one or more occupants sitting thereon, respectively. For example, the vehicle may have two airbags each disposed within the two front seats of the vehicle. In another example, a four-seater vehicle may have four airbags disposed within the four seats respectively, thereby protecting the occupants sitting thereon from any injury during the vehicle crash event.

The vehicle safety system100may further include a seat position sensor134that is operable to prevent deployment of the airbag118and/or actuation of the actuatable pin132, if the seat position sensor134senses that the seat104is in one or more predetermined positions. For instance, the seat position sensor134is configured to measure an angle of inclination of the second sub-frame106bwith respect to the first sub-frame106aand determine whether to deploy the airbag118. In other words, the seat position sensor134determines a reclining angle of the seat back114with respect to the seat cushion112. For example, in a stowed seat position where the second sub-frame106brests along the first sub-frame106a, the seat sensor134may sense that no occupant is seated on the seat104and thus prevents the deployment of the airbag118and/or actuation of the actuatable pin132during the vehicle crash event.

Although not shown, the vehicle safety system100includes an airbag control unit (ACU) that is configured to control the deployment of the airbag118. In one example, the ACU can include a processor that can be a digital signal processor (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a fixed-logic processor, etc.) configured to execute instructions or logic. The processor may include a general-purpose processor, special-purpose processor (where software instructions are incorporated into the processor), a state machine, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable gate array (PGA) including a field PGA, an individual component, a distributed group of processors, and the like.

According to the present disclosure, the ACU is coupled with the impact sensor to detect the vehicle crash event to determine whether to deploy the airbag118or not. In addition, the ACU is coupled to the seat position sensor134to detect the angle of inclination to determine whether to actuate the actuator128to apply the predetermined tension to the tether130.

FIG. 2illustrates an airbag system200having an airbag202, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The airbag202may be disposed within a seat204of a vehicle (not shown). In one example, the airbag202is disposed within a seat back203of the seat204. The airbag202is further configured to transition between a deployed state and an undeployed state. In the undeployed state, the airbag202rests within the seat204.FIG. 2illustrates the airbag202in the deployed state, where the airbag202extends laterally outwards with respect to the seat204. In other words, the airbag202inflates to provide cushioning to an occupant206seated on the seat204in the deployed state. While not shown explicitly, the airbag202may receive a signal from a vehicle computer to transition to the deployed state, upon detection of a vehicle crash event. In one example, the vehicle crash event may include a side impact event and/or a lateral collision.

As shown, the airbag202includes an upper chamber208and a lower chamber210, where the upper chamber208is configured to protect an upper body region205of the occupant206and the lower chamber210protects a lower body region207of the occupant206. In one example, the two chambers208and210may attain a substantially spheroidal shape upon deployment during the vehicle crash event. However, it should be noted that the two chambers208and210may take any configuration suitable to protect the occupant206during the vehicle crash event.

In one example, to provide effective protection, the configuration of the two chambers208and210may conform to a side profile of the occupant206. As may be understood the upper and lower body regions205and207of the occupant206may vary in size. Therefore, the size of the two chambers208and210may vary accordingly to provide adequate protection to the occupant206. For instance, the upper chamber208is designed in such a way that the upper chamber208covers a complete length of the seat back203, thereby providing complete protection to the upper body region205of the occupant206. Similarly, the lower chamber210is designed in such a way that the lower chamber210covers a complete length of the seat cushion (similar to the seat cushion112shown inFIG. 1), thereby providing complete protection to the lower body region207of the occupant206. Eventually, the upper chamber208and the lower chamber210in combination provide complete protection to the occupant206in the deployed state.

The airbag202further includes a baffle209disposed between the upper chamber208and the lower chamber210, such that the two chambers208and210may remain in fluidic communication via the baffle209. It should be noted that the baffle209may work in a manner similar to the baffle124shown inFIG. 1.

The airbag202may further include one or more inflators (not shown) configured to supply an inflation fluid to the two chambers208and210. The inflation fluid may pass through the baffle209to the two chambers208and210, thereby inflating the two chambers208and210. This transits the airbag202to the deployed state. In one example, the two chambers208and210may inflate in-parallel. However, in another example, the lower chamber210may inflate prior to the upper chamber208. The prior inflation of lower chamber210provides adequate protection to the lower body region207of the occupant206, which was compromised in the conventional side airbag designs. It may be understood that the inflator and/or the inflation fluid may be one or more devices and/or fluids known in the art.

In addition to the two chambers208and210and the components used to inflate the two chambers208and210, the airbag202includes an actuator212, a tether214, and an actuatable pin (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator212along with the tether214and the actuatable pin may be operated to transition the airbag202to the deployed state. The subsequent section provides more details pertaining to the actuator212, the tether214, and the actuatable pin along with the operations implemented by one or more of these components to transition the airbag202to the deployed state (as shown inFIG. 2).

The actuator212may be disposed within the seat cushion of the vehicle. In one example, the actuator212is disposed at a predetermined lateral distance from the lower chamber210such that the actuator212is transverse to the airbag202in the undeployed state.

Further, the tether214may extend between the actuator212and the lower chamber210, thereby coupling the actuator212to the lower chamber210. The tether214may transition to assume an indirect path (not shown) and a direct path P2′. It may be understood that the tether214may assume the indirect path in the undeployed state of the airbag202(similar to P1ofFIG. 1). The tether214assumes the direct path P2′ in the deployed state of the airbag202(as shown inFIG. 2).

In one example, the tether214has a predetermined length and may be made from a suitable elastic material. The elasticity of the tether214may allow transition of the tether214between the indirect path and the direct path P2′. Therefore, a predetermined tension may be exerted on the tether214that allows the tether214to assume the direct path P2′ in the deployed state.

In one example, the predetermined tension may be exerted on the tether214using the actuatable pin. The actuatable pin may be disposed along the predetermined length of the tether214. In one example, the actuatable pin may position closer to a reclining mechanism (similar to the reclining mechanism110ofFIG. 1) of the seat204, such that the actuatable pin is transverse to the airbag202in the undeployed state. The actuatable pin is configured to hold the tether214in such a way that the tension applied to the tether214may also be experienced by the actuatable pin. The actuatable pin is configured to maintain the tether214in the indirect path (P1, as shown inFIG. 1) during the undeployed state of the airbag202.

Upon detection of the vehicle crash event, the actuator212operates to generate a predetermined tension on the tether214. The tension exerted on the tether214would impart a corresponding tension on the actuatable pin. As a result, the actuatable pin is actuated to release the tether214to allow the tether214to assume the direct path P2′ (as shown inFIG. 2).

In one example, the actuatable pin is a breakable pin that can be broken by applying the tension that allows the tether214to assume the direct path P2′. For instance, the actuatable pin has a yield strength equal to the predetermined tension applied to the tether214. Accordingly, when the actuator212applies the predetermined tension to the tether214, the tether214applies the same predetermined tension to the actuatable pin. This causes the actuatable pin to break, thereby releasing the tether214to assume the direct path P2′.

In another example, the actuatable pin is a retractable pin that is operable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the actuatable pin is deployed to hold the tether214in the indirect path (P1as shown inFIG. 1). In the retracted position, the actuatable pin retracts into a portion of the seat204allowing the tether214to assume the direct path P2′ (as shown inFIG. 2). Further, the actuatable pin is configured to move from the extended position to the retracted position when the airbag202is deployed.

It may be understood that the actuator212can be a pyro-technic linear actuator that can generate tension to pull the tether214towards the actuator212(as shown inFIG. 1). In another example, the actuator212can be a rotary spool actuator that can spin at high speeds to spool the tether214around the actuator212. More details pertaining to the rotary spool actuator, as shown as section A, are discussed with respect toFIG. 3.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the airbag202shown inFIG. 2may have one or more components similar to the components of the airbag118shown inFIG. 1. To that end, the deployed state of the airbag118(as shown inFIG. 1) may look similar to the deployed state of the airbag202, as shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 3shows an enlarged view300of the section A of the airbag202in the deployed state, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated view, the tether214is pulled by the actuator212, thereby pulling the lower chamber210closer to the lower body region207of the occupant206. As shown, the tether214assumes the direct path P2′.

In the deployed state, the actuator212receives a portion of the tether214while pulling the tether214during deployment of the lower chamber210. As a result, an unwound length L2of the tether214remains between the lower chamber210and the actuator212. Moreover, the tether214remains tensed to keep the lower chamber210adjacent to the lower body region207, while the lower chamber210remains inflated during the deployed state. Further, the tether214may be loosened by the actuator214after the airbag202has deflated. The deflation of airbag202may allow the occupant206to come out of the seat and/or vehicle.

FIGS. 4a-4cillustrate various views of the airbag system200, with the airbag202in the deployed state, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The airbag202works in conjunction with a seat belt402of the vehicle to protect the occupant206. For instance, the seat belt402may secure the occupant206and prevent excessive movement of the occupant206during the vehicle crash event. Further, during the vehicle crash event, a first side404of the airbag202may contact a vehicle door to avoid injury from a movement of the door towards the occupant206during the vehicle crash event. Further, a second side406of the airbag202provides cushioning to the occupant206so that the occupant206is protected from the impact.

As shown, the seat back203is reclined with respect to the seat cushion213. This allows the upper chamber208to provide substantial coverage to the upper body region205of the occupant206. Accordingly, the lower chamber210is pulled towards the lower body region207. The lower chamber210can protect the lower body region207including the hip, thigh, and/or pelvic region of the occupant206during the vehicle crash event.

FIG. 5illustrates a method500of operating the airbag system200ofFIGS. 2-4, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method500may also be implemented by the vehicle safety system100ofFIG. 1. The method500described below may be carried out using the configurations illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 4c, for example, and various elements of these figures are referenced in explaining the example method500. Each step shown inFIG. 5represents one or more processes, methods or subroutines, carried out in the example method500. Furthermore, the illustrated order of steps is illustrative only and the order of the steps may change according to the present disclosure. Additional steps may be added or fewer steps may be utilized, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The example method500begins at step502.

The method, at step502, detects the occurrence of a vehicle crash event. For instance, the impact sensor mounted on a vehicle chassis or a vehicle door may sense a side impact to the vehicle. Moreover, the impact sensor senses a magnitude of the side impact and sends a signal to the ACU in case the magnitude of the side impact exceeds a predetermined threshold.

At step504, the airbag is deployed. As a part of the airbag deployment, the ACU determines an angle of inclination of the seat back with respect to the seat cushion. To this end, the ACU receives a signal from the seat position sensor. Further, the ACU checks if the angle of inclination satisfies a predetermined angle. For instance, in case the seat back is aligned substantially vertical with respect to the seat base, the ACU allows the deployment of the airbag. However, if the angle of inclination is less than the predetermined angle, the ACU may not allow the deployment of the airbag. One such example is when the seat back rests along the seat base in a stowed position. In such a position, the deployment of the airbag is not required considering no occupant is sitting thereon.

If the ACU allows the deployment of the airbag, the ACU triggers the inflator to inflate the lower chamber prior to the upper chamber. As the lower chamber starts inflating, the inflator triggers inflation of the upper chamber. The two chambers may fully inflate at almost the same period to provide adequate protection to the upper and lower body regions of the occupant.

At step506, the actuatable pin is actuated to allow the tether to assume the direct path. To accomplish the actuation of the actuatable pin, the ACU sends an actuation signal to the release mechanism of the actuatable pin so that the actuatable pin moves from the extended position to the retracted position. On the other hand, in case the actuatable pin is a breakable pin, the ACU actuates the actuator to increases the tension in the tether beyond the yield strength of the actuatable pin. As a result, the actuatable pin snaps to allow the tether to assume the direct path.

At step508, the actuator applies a tension on the tether that is more than the predetermined tension applied on the tether by the actuatable pin. As a result, a portion of the tether starts moving towards the actuator. Further, in case the actuator is a rotary spool actuator, the portion of the tether starts to wound around the actuator.

Finally, at step510, the winding tether positions the lower chamber adjacent to the occupant lower region or the occupant hip region. Simultaneously, the upper chamber inflates adjacent to the occupant upper region to protect the occupant upper region. Once the occupant is protected from the side impact, the upper chamber and the lower chamber may deflate to create space for the occupant to exit the vehicle.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the present disclosure, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the present disclosure. It is therefore contemplated that such modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure as defined.