A vehicle seat includes a vehicle seat having a seatback. An airbag is inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position. A linear actuator is fixed to the seatback and the airbag. The airbag is moveable by the linear actuator from an undeployed position upwardly away from the seatback to a deployed position. The linear actuator supports the airbag on the seatback in the uninflated position and in the inflated position.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles are equipped with airbag assemblies that include an airbag and an inflator. In the event of certain vehicle impacts, the inflator activates and provides inflation medium to the airbag. This pressurizes the airbag to control the kinematics of an occupant during certain vehicle impacts. The airbag assemblies may be located at various positions in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Vehicles may include airbags supported on a dash, side air curtains mounted to roof rails, seat-mounted airbag, etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A vehicle seat includes a vehicle seat having a seatback. An airbag is inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position. A linear actuator is fixed to the seatback and the airbag. The airbag is moveable by the linear actuator from an undeployed position upwardly away from the seatback to a deployed position. The linear actuator supports the airbag on the seatback in the uninflated position and in the inflated position.

The linear actuator may include a base fixed to the seatback and a rod fixed to the airbag. The rod is slidably engaged with the base. The linear actuator may be pyrotechnically activated. One of the base and the rod may have a bore and the other of the base and the rod may be telescopically received in the bore.

The vehicle may include a second linear actuator spaced cross-vehicle from the linear actuator. The second linear actuator is fixed to the seatback and the airbag. The airbag is moveable by the second linear actuator from an undeployed position upwardly away from the seatback to a deployed position. The second linear actuator supports the airbag on the seatback in the uninflated position and in the inflated position. The vehicle seat includes a first occupant-seating area and a second occupant occupant-seating area. The first occupant-seating area and the second occupant-seating area may be between the linear actuator and the second linear actuator along a cross-vehicle axis.

The airbag may be at the seatback when the linear actuator is in the undeployed position and the airbag may be spaced above an uppermost end of the seatback when the linear actuator is in the deployed position.

The seat has an occupant-seating area and the airbag may have a top chamber inflatable over the occupant-seating area. The vehicle may include a liftgate and the top chamber may include a vehicle-rearward portion abutting the liftgate when the linear actuator is in the deployed position and the airbag is in the inflated position. The vehicle may include a tether fixed to the vehicle-rearward portion and connected to the seat. The vehicle may include a vehicle roof and the top chamber may include a vehicle-forward portion, the vehicle-forward portion extending downwardly and vehicle-forward from the vehicle-rearward portion to a forwardmost end spaced from the roof and vehicle-forward of the occupant-seating area. The vehicle may include a tether fixed to the vehicle-forward portion and connected to the seat. The vehicle may include a tether fixed to the vehicle-forward portion and connected to the seat and another tether fixed to the vehicle-rearward portion and connected to the seat. The vehicle may include a tether retractor fixed to the seat and operatively connected to the tethers to retract the tethers. The tether retractor may be pyrotechnically activated. The seatback may be between the vehicle-forward portion and the vehicle-rearward portion of the airbag in the inflated position. The airbag may include two side chambers inflatable downwardly from the top chamber on opposite sides of the occupant-seating area.

The vehicle may include an inflator fixed to the seatback and in fluid communication with the airbag.

The vehicle may include a fill tube from the inflator to the airbag.

With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a vehicle10includes a vehicle seat12having a seatback14. An airbag16is inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position. A linear actuator18is fixed to the seatback14and the airbag16. The airbag16is moveable by the linear actuator18from an undeployed position upwardly away from the seatback14to a deployed position. The linear actuator18supports the airbag16on the seatback14in the uninflated position and in the inflated position.

In response to certain vehicle impacts, the linear actuator18moves the airbag16upwardly to the deployed position and the airbag16inflates, as shown in the example in the Figures. The linear actuators18position the airbag16for inflation and positioning relative to one or more occupant-seating areas20of the vehicle seat12, as described further below.

With reference toFIG.1, the vehicle10may be any suitable type of automobile, e.g., a passenger or commercial automobile such as a sedan, a coupe, a truck, a sport utility, a crossover, a van, a minivan, a taxi, a bus, etc.

The vehicle10includes a vehicle body. The vehicle body may be of a unibody construction, a body-on-frame construction, or any suitable construction. In the unibody construction, the vehicle body serves as a frame, and the vehicle body (includes the rockers, pillars, roof rails, etc.) is unitary, i.e., a continuous one-piece unit. As another example, in body-on-frame construction (also referred to as a cab-on-frame construction), the vehicle body and frame are separate components, i.e., are modular, and the vehicle body is supported on and affixed to the frame. In other examples, the vehicle body may have any suitable construction. The vehicle body may be of any suitable material, for example, steel, aluminum, etc.

The vehicle body includes a vehicle roof22, vehicle pillars, body panels, a vehicle floor, etc. The vehicle body defines a passenger compartment26to house occupants, if any, of the vehicle10. The passenger compartment26may extend across the vehicle10, i.e., from one side to the other side of the vehicle10. The passenger compartment26includes a front end and a rear end with the front end being in front of the rear end during forward movement of the vehicle10.

With reference toFIG.1, the vehicle10defines a vehicle-longitudinal axis L extending between a front end (not numbered) and a rear-end (not numbered) of the vehicle10. The vehicle10defines a cross-vehicle axis C extending cross-vehicle from one side to the other side of the vehicle10. The vehicle10defines a vertical axis V extending through a vehicle floor and the vehicle roof22. The vehicle-longitudinal axis L, the cross-vehicle axis C, and the vertical axis V are perpendicular relative to each other.

The vehicle roof22and the vehicle floor are spaced from each other. Specifically, the vehicle floor is spaced below the vehicle roof22. The vehicle roof22defines the upper boundary of the passenger compartment26and may extend from the front end of the passenger compartment26to the rear end of the passenger compartment26. The vehicle roof22may include roof rails and a roof panel extending from one roof rail to the other roof rail. The roof panel may be irremovably fixed to the roof rails. In other words, the roof panel is secured to the roof rails in such a way that removal requires destruction such as cutting, e.g., cutting material and/or welded joints, etc. As an example, the roof panel may be attached to both roof rails, e.g., by welding, fasteners, etc.

The vehicle floor defines the lower boundary of the passenger compartment26and may extend from the front end of the passenger compartment26to the rear end of the passenger compartment26. The vehicle floor may include upholstery, for example, carpet, and may have a class-A surface facing the passenger compartment26, i.e., a surface specifically manufactured to have a high quality, finished, aesthetic appearance free of blemishes.

With reference to the Figures, the vehicle body includes a body side24. Specifically, the vehicle body includes two body sides24spaced cross vehicle10from each other. The body side24is a side of the body located vehicle-outboard of the passenger compartment26. The body sides24may be spaced from each other along the cross-vehicle axis A on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis L and may be elongated along the longitudinal axis L. The body side24includes one or more door openings. The vehicle floor extends from one body side24to the other body side24and the vehicle roof22extends from one body side24to the other body side24. The body side24may include a rear-window opening adjacent a seatback14of rear one of the vehicle seats12.

The vehicle body, specifically each body side24, may include pillars. In some examples, the pillars on the same body side24are separated by one of the door openings. For example, the vehicle body may include a rear pillar on each side of the vehicle10. The rear pillar may extend between the liftgate38and a rear door opening and other pillars may be vehicle-forward of the rear pillars, e.g., between adjacent doors. The vehicle10may include any suitable number of pillars on either body side24. The pillars may extend from the vehicle roof22to the vehicle floor.

With reference toFIG.1, the vehicle10includes vehicle doors, openable for occupants to enter and exit a passenger compartment26. In the example shown in the Figures, the vehicle10includes a front door and a rear door on each body side24. The front door is vehicle-forward of the rear door along the longitudinal axis L of the vehicle10. Each door includes at least one door panel (not numbered) and the door-trim panel supported on the door panel. Specifically, the door may include two panels, namely a door inner (not numbered) and a door outer (not numbered). In such an example, the door-trim panel and the door outer are fixed to the door inner. The door-trim panel is positioned opposite the door outer. The door-trim panel is inboard relative to the door inner, and the door outer is outboard relative to the door inner. The door includes a window opening that may be completely closed by a window of the window is in a fully raised position. The door outer faces outboard relative to the vehicle10. The door outer may define a portion of the exterior of the vehicle10. For example, the door outer may present a class-A surface, i.e., a surface specifically manufactured to have a high-quality, finished aesthetic appearance free of blemishes. The door outer may be metal (such as steel, aluminum, etc.) or polymeric (such as fiber reinforced plastic composite, etc.). The door inner may be metal (such as steel, aluminum, etc.) or polymeric (such as fiber reinforced plastic composite, etc.). The door inner provides structural rigidity for the door outer. The door inner may provide a mounting location for components of the door. The door-trim panel may include a covering36. The covering36may include upholstery, padding, etc. The upholstery may be cloth, leather, faux leather, or any other suitable material. The door-trim panel may be a material suitable for an interior of the vehicle10, such as vinyl, plastic, leather, wood, etc.

The vehicle10may include one or more vehicle seats12. Specifically, the vehicle10may include any suitable number of vehicle seats12. The vehicle seats12are supported by the vehicle floor. The vehicle seats12may be arranged in any suitable arrangement in the passenger compartment26. One or more of the vehicle seats12may be at the front end of the passenger compartment26, e.g., a front row. One or more of the vehicle seats12may be behind the front end of the passenger compartment26, e.g., at the rear end of the passenger compartment26as a rear row28. In the example shown in the Figures, the vehicle10includes a rear row28. The rear row28in the Figures may be, in some examples, a second row or a third row. The vehicle seats12may be of any suitable type, e.g., a bucket seat, bench seat, etc. The vehicle seats12may include seatbelts.

As set forth above, the seat includes the seatback14and the seat bottom30. Specifically, the vehicle seat12of the rear row28shown in the Figures includes a seatback14and a seat bottom30elongated cross-vehicle and defining a plurality of occupant-seating areas20, more specifically three occupant-seating areas20in the example shown in the Figures. In such an example, the seatback14and/or the seat bottom30may include separate foldable portions arranged cross-vehicle to allow for selective folding of portions of the seatback14in some examples. The vehicle seat12may include a head restraint at each occupant-seating area20. The head restraint may be supported by and extends upwardly from the seatback14. The head restraint may be stationary or selectively adjustable relative to the seatback14by an occupant.

The seatback14may be supported by the seat bottom30and may be foldable relative to the seat bottom30and/or reclinable relative to the seat bottom30or may be stationary relative to the seat bottom30. The seatback14may extend from an upper end to a lower end. The lower end may be connected to the seat bottom30. The upper end of the seatback14may be spaced upwardly from the lower end of the seatback14, i.e., upwardly from the seat bottom30. The head restraint may extend upwardly from the upper end of the seatback14. The seatback14, the seat bottom30, and the head restraint may be adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom. Specifically, the seatback14, the seat bottom30, and the head restraint may themselves be adjustable. In other words, adjustable components within the seatback14, the seat bottom30, and the head restraint may be adjustable relative to each other.

The vehicle seat12includes a seat frame32. The seat frame32includes a seatback frame34and the seat bottom30includes a seat bottom frame, i.e., the seatback14includes the seatback frame34and the seat bottom30includes the seat bottom frame. The seat frame32may include panels and/or may include tubes, beams, etc. The seat frame32may be of any suitable plastic material (e.g., carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fiber-reinforced semi-finished thermoplastic composite (organosheet), etc.), a suitable metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.), etc.

The vehicle seat12includes a covering36supported on the seat frame32. The covering36may be cloth, leather, faux leather, or any other suitable material. The vehicle seat12may include padding material between the covering36and the seat frame32. The padding material may be foam or any other suitable material. The covering36may be stitched in panels around the seat frame32and padding material. The covering36may include a tear seam (not numbered) associated with the airbag16. The airbag16may extend through the tear seam as the linear actuator18moves from the undeployed position to the deployed position. The tear seam may be designed to tear apart when subjected to a tensile force above a threshold magnitude. In other words, the covering36on one side of the tear seam separates from the covering36on the other side of the tear seam when the force is above the threshold magnitude. The threshold magnitude may be chosen to be greater than forces from, e.g., inadvertent pushing against the seat by an occupant but be less than forces from the deployment of the airbag16. The tear seam may be, for example, a line of perforations through the covering36, a line of thinner covering material than the rest of the covering36, etc.

The seatback14may define at least one occupant-seating area20. The occupant seating-area is the space occupied by an occupant properly seated on the seat. The occupant-seating area20is vehicle-forward of the seatback14and above and vehicle-forward of the seat bottom30. The portion of the occupant-seating area20that is vehicle-forward of the seat bottom30is the portion of the occupant-seating area20that is occupied by the knees of an occupant properly seated on the seat. In the example shown in the Figures, the seat of the rear row28includes three occupant-seating areas20.

The body side24includes the door opening, as described above. The door opening may be between pillars and between a sill and the roof. In the example shown in the Figures, the body side24includes the front door opening and the rear door opening. The rear door opening is adjacent to the rear row28. The door opening extends uninterrupted from one pillar to another pillar. The door opening extends uninterrupted from the vehicle floor to the vehicle roof22. The door opening allows for ingress and egress into the passenger compartment26. The vehicle10may include any suitable number of door openings to allow for ingress and egress into the passenger compartment26. For example, the vehicle10may include one door opening on each side of the vehicle10. In other examples, the vehicle10may include multiple door openings on each body side24of the vehicle10.

The vehicle10includes a liftgate38supported by the vehicle roof22. The liftgate38is openable at a rear of the vehicle10to provide access to the passenger compartment26, e.g., to a cargo area of the passenger compartment26. The liftgate38is movable between an open position allowing access to the cargo area and a closed position, shown for example inFIG.1, inhibiting access to the cargo area and enclosing the passenger compartment26. The liftgate38may pivot between the open position and the closed position. The liftgate38may include a window opening and a window disposed in the window opening. A hinge may connect the liftgate38to the vehicle roof22, as described further below.

The liftgate38includes panels (not numbered), e.g., metal panels, and the hinge is connected to one of the panels. The liftgate38may include one or more trim panels (not numbered) supported on the panels of the liftgate38. The trim panels face the passenger compartment26when the liftgate38is in the closed position. The trim panels in such an example, the trim panels may include upholstery, padding, etc., including cloth, leather, faux leather, vinyl, plastic, leather, wood, etc. Specifically, the vehicle body defines a liftgate38opening and the liftgate38is pivotable relative to the vehicle body between the closed position and the open position. The vehicle roof22, body sides24, and/or a rear bumper may define the liftgate38opening.

As set forth above, the liftgate38is adjacent to the vehicle roof22. Specifically, the liftgate38is connected to the vehicle roof22, e.g., pivotably connected. For example, as set forth above, the hinge connects the liftgate38to the vehicle roof22. In the example shown in the Figures, the hinge is between the liftgate38and the vehicle roof22and pivotably connects the liftgate38and the vehicle roof22. Specifically, the hinge is on the first end of the liftgate38. Specifically, the hinge pivotably connects the first end of the liftgate38to the vehicle roof22. The liftgate38pivots relative to the vehicle roof22from the closed position to the open position about the hinge. In the example shown in the Figures, the liftgate38is directly connected to the vehicle roof22by the hinge, i.e., the hinge is directly connected to the liftgate38and the vehicle roof22with no intermediate components therebetween. In other examples, intermediate components may be between the hinge and the liftgate38and/or between the hinge and the vehicle roof22.

The liftgate38is vehicle-rearward of the seat of the rear row28. In the example, shown in the Figures, the vehicle-forward edge of the liftgate38at the vehicle roof22is vehicle-rearward of the seat of the rear row28. In other examples, the liftgate38may be above the seat of the rear row28. In other words, in such an example, a vertical line from the seat extends through the liftgate38when the liftgate38is in the closed position.

The vehicle10includes an airbag assembly40including the airbag16and the linear actuator18. In the example shown in the Figures, the airbag assembly40includes two linear actuators18spaced from each other cross-vehicle. In other examples, the airbag assembly40may include any suitable number of linear actuators18, i.e., one or more. In the example shown in the Figures, the airbag assembly40is mounted to the seatback14of the seat of the rear row28.

The airbag16is inflatable from the uninflated position (FIGS.1-5) to the inflated position (FIGS.6-7). The airbag16is supported by the seatback14in the uninflated position and in the inflated position. In other words, the weight of the airbag16is borne by the seatback14in the uninflated position and the inflated position. Specifically, the airbag16is supported on the seatback14by the linear actuator18. The weight of the airbag16is borne by the linear actuator18and the weight of the linear actuator18is borne by the seatback14when the airbag16is in the uninflated position and the inflated position, as described further below.

The airbag16is moveable by the linear actuator18from the undeployed position (FIGS.1-2A) upwardly away from the seatback14to the deployed position (FIGS.3-6). The linear actuator18in the deployed position positions the airbag16above the occupant-seating areas20of the seat of the rear row28. As described below, the airbag16extends above, vehicle-forward, and vehicle-rearward of the seatback14when the linear actuator18is in the deployed position.

The linear actuator18is fixed to the seatback14. A portion of the linear actuator18is anchored to and immoveable relative to the seatback14. Specifically, in the example shown in the Figures, the linear actuator18includes a base42fixed to the seatback14and a rod44fixed to the airbag16. The base42is immoveable relative to the seatback14. As an example, the base42may be fixed to the seatback14, e.g., the frame of the seatback14with, for example, threaded fasteners, welding, brackets, etc. The rod44is slidably engaged with the base42. The rod44slides relative to the base42from the undeployed position to the deployed position.

The linear actuator18is fixed to the airbag16. In the example shown in the Figures, the rod44of the linear actuator18is fixed to the airbag16. The airbag16may be fixed to the rod44with, for example, adhesive, bonding, welding, threaded fastener, brackets, etc. As shown inFIG.2A, the airbag16may be fixed directly to a top end of the rod44. The airbag16moves with the rod44from the undeployed position to the deployed position and remains fixed to the rod44when the rod44is in the deployed position and the airbag16is in the inflated position.

The linear actuator18is pyrotechnically activated. For example, the base42and the rod44may telescopically extend relative to each other powered by a pyrotechnic charge. One of the base42and the rod44may have a bore and the other of the base42and the rod44is telescopically received in the bore. In the example shown in the Figures, the base42defines the bore and the rod44is slidably received in the base42. The base42, specifically, is tubular. The rod44telescopically extends from the base42. The linear actuator18includes a pyrotechnic device82(shown schematically inFIG.2) including a pyrotechnic charge between the base42the rod44to telescopically extend the base42and the rod44relative to each other. The pyrotechnic charge is combustible to produce a gas to telescope the base42and the rod44, e.g., through extension of a piston activated by combustion of the pyrotechnic charge. The pyrotechnic charge may be formed of a solid mixture of substances that, when ignited, react to produce the gas. For example, the pyrotechnic charge may be formed of sodium azide (NaNO3), potassium nitrate (KNO3), and silicon dioxide (SiO2), which react to form nitrogen gas (N2). In the example shown in the Figures, the base42is fixed to the seatback14and the pyrotechnic device extends the rod44from the base42.

With reference toFIGS.7A-B, the linear actuator18may include a lock46that locks the rod44relative to the base42in the deployed position. The lock46may be on one of the rod44and the base42and may engage the other of the rod44and the base42. The lock46may travel with one of the rod44and the base42as the rod44and base42move relative to each other in the deployed position. In the example shown inFIGS.7A-B, the lock46travels with the rod44relative to the base42from the undeployed position to the deployed position. The lock46in the example shown inFIGS.7A-Bincludes a post48recessed in the rod44and a spring50biasing the post48toward the base42. The base42includes a hole52that receives the post48when the rod44and the base42are in the deployed position. As the rod44moves relative to the post48to the deployed position, the post48reaches the hole52and the spring50biases the post48into the hole52to axially lock46the rod44relative to the base42. This retains the rod44in the deployed position after the rod44reaches the deployed position. In other examples the lock46may be of any suitable type including other spring-loaded locks, surfaces of the rod44and base42that wedge against each other in the deployed position, active locks such as solenoids, etc.

As set forth above, the example shown in the Figures includes two linear actuators18spaced cross-vehicle from each other. In such an example, both linear actuators18are fixed to the seatback14and the airbag16and simultaneously move the airbag16from the undeployed position upwardly away from the seatback14to the deployed position. Both linear actuators18support the airbag16in the uninflated position and in the inflated position. Common numerals are used to identify the common features of the linear actuators18.

In examples including two linear actuators18, more than one occupant-seating area20of the seat, e.g., the seat of the rear row28, may be between the two linear actuators18along the cross-vehicle axis C. In other words, when measured along the cross-vehicle axis C, the positions of the occupant-seating areas20along the cross-vehicle axis C are between the positions of the linear actuators18along the cross-vehicle axis. In such an example, the linear actuators18are vehicle-outboard of at least two of the occupant-seating areas20. In the example shown in the Figures, all three of the occupant-seating areas20are between the two linear actuators18.

In examples including two linear actuators18, the airbag16extends from one of the linear actuators18to the other of the linear actuators18both when the linear actuators18are in the undeployed position and the deployed position and both when the airbag16is in the uninflated position and the inflated position. When the linear actuators18are in the undeployed position and the airbag16is in the uninflated position, the airbag16and/or the linear actuator18may be concealed, e.g., between the covering36of the seatback14and the frame of the seatback14, as shown inFIGS.1and2. As set forth above, the base42of the linear actuators18are fixed to the seatback14, e.g., the seatback frame34, and the airbag16is fixed to the rod44of the linear actuator18such that the linear actuator18supports the airbag16on the seatback14when the linear actuators18are in the undeployed position and the airbag16is in the in uninflated position. The airbag16is at the seatback14when the linear actuator18is in the undeployed position. As the linear actuator18moves from the undeployed position to the deployed position, the linear actuator18and the airbag16break through the covering36of the seatback14, e.g., through the tear seam, and move upwardly above the seatback14. The linear actuators18position the airbag16above the seatback14such that, as the airbag16inflates to the inflated position, the airbag16expands vehicle-forward of the occupant-seating area20and vehicle-rearward of the seatback14, as described further below. When the airbag16is in the inflated position, the linear actuators18in the deployed position support the airbag16on the seatback14above the seatback14. The airbag16is spaced above an uppermost end54of the seatback14when the linear actuator18is in the deployed position.

As shown in the example in the Figures, the airbag16in the inflated position includes a top chamber56and two side chambers58. The top chamber56inflatable over the occupant-seating areas20of the seat of the rear row28. The top chamber56includes a vehicle-rearward portion60and a vehicle-forward portion62. In the example shown in the Figures, the airbag16may be rolled in uninflated position for packaging of the vehicle-rearward portion60, vehicle-forward portion62, and side chambers58. In the examples shown in the Figures, at least the vehicle-rearward portion60and the vehicle-forward portion62are shown folded and similarly the side chambers58may be rolled. In the inflated position, the top chamber56and the side chambers58may share a common inflation chamber that is inflated by an inflator64, as described further below.

The vehicle-rearward portion60abuts the liftgate38when the linear actuators18are in the deployed position and the airbag16is in the inflated position. The liftgate38operates as a reaction surface for the vehicle-rearward portion60in the inflated position. The vehicle-forward portion62of the airbag16in the inflated position is vehicle-forward of the occupant-seating areas20of the seat of the rear row28. The vehicle-forward portion62extends downwardly and vehicle-forward from the vehicle-rearward portion60to a forwardmost end66spaced from the vehicle roof22and vehicle-forward of the occupant-seating areas20. The seatback14is between the vehicle-forward portion62and the vehicle-rearward portion60of the airbag16in the inflated position and the occupant-seating areas20are between the vehicle-forward portion62and the seatback14.

The two side chambers58inflatable downwardly from the top chamber56on opposite sides of the occupant-seating area20. The side chambers58are vehicle-outboard of the occupant-seating areas20. In the example shown in the Figures, the three occupant-seating areas20are between the two side chambers58in the inflated position. The side chambers58are between the body side24and the adjacent occupant-seating area20.

The airbag16may be of any suitable airbag material, e.g., from a woven polymer. For example, the airbag16may be formed of woven nylon yarn, e.g., nylon 6. Other suitable examples include polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyester, or any other suitable polymer. The woven polymer may include a coating such as silicone, neoprene, urethane, polyorganosiloxane, etc. The airbag16may be a single continuous unit, e.g., a single piece of fabric. Alternatively, the airbag16may include a plurality of segments, i.e., two or more. The segments may be attached to each other in any suitable fashion, e.g., a plurality of panels attached by stitching, ultrasonic welding, etc.

The airbag assembly40includes at least one inflator64that inflates the airbag16. The inflator64is fluidly connected to the airbag16. The inflator64expands the airbag16with inflation medium, such as a gas, to move the airbag16from the uninflated position to the inflated position. The inflator64may be, for example, a pyrotechnic inflator that ignites a chemical reaction to generate the inflation medium, a stored gas inflator that releases e.g., by a pyrotechnic valve stored gas as the inflation medium, or a hybrid.

The inflator64may be supported by any suitable component of the vehicle10. In the example shown in the Figures, the inflator64is fixed to the seatback14and is in fluid communication with the airbag16. In such an example, the inflator64is connected to the airbag16with a fill tube68. The fill tube68may be coiled, as shown inFIG.2, to allow for the upward movement of the airbag16by the linear actuators18The inflator64may be fixed to the seatback14, e.g., the seatback frame34, in any suitable way, e.g., threaded fastener, bracket, etc.

The airbag assembly40may include tethers70,72for positioning the airbag16in the inflated position. For example, the tethers70,72may extend from the airbag16to the seat and may be anchored to the vehicle seat12, e.g., anchored to the seat frame32. In the example shown in the Figures, a tether retractor74anchors the tethers70,72to the seatback frame34, as described further below. The tethers70,72may be fixed to the airbag16in any suitable fashion, e.g., stitching, bonding, and/or adhesive, etc. The tether70,72may be of any suitable material, e.g., fabric, and may be of the same type of material as the airbag16.

With reference toFIGS.5and6, on each side of the vehicle seat12, a front tether70is fixed to the vehicle-forward portion62and connected to the vehicle seat12and a rear tether72is fixed to the vehicle-rearward portion60and connected to the vehicle seat12. The front tethers70are fixed to the vehicle-forward portion62and connected to the vehicle seat12with the occupant-seating areas20disposed therebetween. The rear tethers72position the vehicle-forward portion62of the airbag16vehicle-rearward of the occupant-seating areas20and spaced from the vehicle roof22below the vehicle roof22.

The airbag16in the inflated position may be arced from the vehicle-forward portion62to the vehicle-rearward portion60. In other words, the airbag16in the inflated position has an arc shape from the vehicle-forward portion62to the vehicle-rearward portion60. As shown inFIGS.5and6, the linear actuators18are at the top of the arc shape with the vehicle-forward portion62arcing vehicle10forward and downward from the linear actuator18and with the vehicle-rearward portion60arcing vehicle-rearward and downward from the linear actuator18. The tethers70,72maintain the arc shape of the airbag16.

The tether retractor74is fixed to the seat, e.g., the seat frame32, in any suitable way, e.g., threaded fastener, bracket, etc. The tether retractor74may be fixed to the seatback14, e.g., the seatback frame34. One tether retractor74is illustrated in the views of the Figures and in the example shown in the Figures the airbag assembly40includes two tether retractors74, specifically, one on either side of the vehicle seat12.

The tether retractor74is operatively connected to the tethers70,72to retract the tethers70,72. The retraction of the tethers70,72positions the airbag16to have the arc shape described above. The tether retractor74may be pyrotechnically activated. The tether retractor74may be, for example, any suitable type such as a rotary actuator in which the pyrotechnic charge rotates a shaft connected to the tethers70,72such that the tethers70,72wrap around the shaft; a piston linkage, in which the pyrotechnic charge for example, drives a piston attached to the tether; a ball-in-tube linkage in which an pyrotechnic charge propels a ball or balls over a cogwheel connected to the tether; or any other suitable type. The pyrotechnic charge is combustible to produce a gas. The pyrotechnic charge may be formed of a solid mixture of substances that, when ignited, react to produce the gas. For example, the pyrotechnic charge may be formed of sodium azide (NaNO3), potassium nitrate (KNO3), and silicon dioxide (SiO2), which react to form nitrogen gas (N2).

In examples including the tether retractor74and the lock46, as shown in the example in the Figures, the tether retractor74and the lock46act against each other when the linear actuators18are in the deployed position. In the deployed position, the tether retractors74pull the vehicle-forward end and the vehicle-rearward end of the airbag16downwardly and the lock46maintains the rod44in the deployed position, i.e., preventing downward movement of the rod44relative to the base42against the force of the tether retractor74.

With reference toFIG.8, the vehicle10includes a computer76. The computer76includes a processor and a memory. The computer76may be a restraints control module. The memory includes one or more forms of computer readable media, and stores instructions executable by the computer76for performing various operations, including as disclosed herein and including, for example, a method of deploying the airbag assembly40as described herein. The computer76stores instructions to control components of the vehicle10including the linear actuators18, the inflator64, and the tether retractors74. Use of “in response to,” “based on,” and “upon determining” herein indicates a causal relationship, not merely a temporal relationship.

For example, the computer76may be a generic computer with a processor and memory as described above and/or may include an electronic control unit ECU or controller for a specific function or set of functions, and/or a dedicated electronic circuit including an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) that is manufactured for a particular operation, e.g., an ASIC for processing sensor data and/or communicating the sensor data. In another example, the computer76may include an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) which is an integrated circuit manufactured to be configurable by a user. Typically, a hardware description language such as VHDL (Very High-Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language) is used in electronic design automation to describe digital and mixed-signal systems such as FPGA and ASIC. For example, an ASIC is manufactured based on VHDL programming provided pre-manufacturing, whereas logical components inside an FPGA may be configured based on VHDL programming, e.g., stored in a memory electrically connected to the FPGA circuit. In some examples, a combination of processor(s), ASIC(s), and/or FPGA circuits may be included in the computer76. The memory may be of any type, e.g., hard disk drives, solid state drives, servers, or any volatile or non-volatile media. The memory may store the collected data sent from the sensors. The memory may be a separate device from the computer76, and the computer76may retrieve information stored by the memory via a vehicle communication network78, e.g., over a CAN bus, a wireless network, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the memory may be part of the computer76, e.g., as a memory of the computer76.

As shown inFIG.8, the computer76is generally arranged for communications on the vehicle10communication network that may include a bus in the vehicle10such as a controller area network CAN or the like, and/or other wired and/or wireless mechanisms. Alternatively or additionally, in cases where the computer76includes a plurality of devices, the vehicle communication network78may be used for communications between devices represented as the computer76in this disclosure. Further, as mentioned below, various controllers and/or sensors may provide data to the computer76via the vehicle10communication network78.

The vehicle10may include at least one impact sensor80for sensing certain vehicle impacts (e.g., impacts of a certain magnitude, direction, etc.) and the computer76is in communication with the impact sensor80, the linear actuators18, the inflator64, and the tether retractors74. In response to detection of certain vehicle impacts, the computer76is programmed to activate the linear actuators18to raise the airbag16to the deployed position, activate the inflator64to inflate the airbag16, and activate the tether retractors74to retract the tethers. As set forth above, the linear actuators18, the inflator64, and the tether retractors74may be pyrotechnically activated, in which case, the computer76activates the linear actuators18, the inflator64, and the tether retractors74by commanding activation of the pyrotechnic charge as described above, e.g., providing an impulse to a pyrotechnic charge. In response to detection of certain vehicle impact, the computer76may be programmed to first activate the linear actuators18, and then activate the inflator64after a predetermined delay, and then activate the tether retractors74after another predetermined delay.

The impact sensor80may be configured to sense certain vehicle impacts prior to impact, i.e., pre-impact sensing. The impact sensor80may be in communication with the computer76. The impact sensor80is configured to detect certain vehicle impacts. In other words, a “certain vehicle impact” is an impact of the type and/or magnitude for which inflation of the airbag16is designed i.e., “certain” indicates the type and/or magnitude of the impact. The type and/or magnitude of such “certain vehicle impacts” may be pre-stored in the computer76, e.g., a restraints control module and/or a body control module. The impact sensor80may be of any suitable type, for example, post contact sensors such as accelerometers, pressure sensors, and contact switches; and pre-impact sensors80such as radar, LIDAR, and vision sensing systems. The vision sensing systems may include one or more cameras, CCD image sensors, CMOS image sensors, etc. The impact sensor80may be located at numerous points in or on the vehicle10.