Patent ID: 12187210

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A bumper assembly includes a vehicle bumper. A first inflatable device is supported by the bumper and inflatable downwardly from the bumper from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The first inflatable device defines an inflation chamber and is a thermoplastic elastomer. A second inflatable device is supported by the bumper and is spaced cross-vehicle from the first inflatable device. The second inflatable device is inflatable downwardly from the bumper from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The second inflatable device defines an inflation chamber and is a thermoplastic elastomer. An uninflatable panel is below the bumper and extends from the first inflatable device to the second inflatable device in the deployed positions.

The bumper assembly may include an upper inflatable device supported by the bumper. The upper inflatable device defines an inflation chamber and is a thermoplastic elastomer. The upper inflatable device may be inflatable upwardly from the bumper from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The bumper assembly may include an inflator fluidly connected to the first inflatable device, the second inflatable device, and the upper inflatable device. The bumper has a top surface and a bottom surface and the first inflatable device and the second inflatable device may inflate downwardly from the bottom surface and the upper inflatable device may inflate upwardly from the top surface. The first inflatable device and the second inflatable device may be underneath the upper inflatable device when the first inflatable device, the second inflatable device, and the upper inflatable device are in deployed positions. The bumper has a front face and the first inflatable device, the second inflatable device, and the upper inflatable device may each have a front face horizontally aligned with the front face of the bumper in the deployed position.

The uninflatable panel may extend in the cross-vehicle direction from the first inflatable device to the second inflatable device when the first inflatable device and the second inflatable device are in the deployed position.

The bumper includes a bottom surface and the first inflatable device and the second inflatable device may be inflatable downwardly from the bottom surface.

The bumper assembly may include a cover supported by the bumper and the first inflatable device, the second inflatable device, and the uninflatable panel may be between the cover and the bumper in the undeployed position.

The bumper assembly may include an inflator fluidly connected to the first inflatable device and the second inflatable device.

The uninflatable panel may be connected to the first inflatable device and the second inflatable device.

The bumper assembly may include a third inflatable device supported by the bumper spaced cross-vehicle from the first inflatable device and the second inflatable device and the third inflatable device may be inflatable downwardly from the bumper from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The bumper assembly may include a second uninflatable panel below the bumper and extending from the second inflatable device to the third inflatable device in the deployed positions, the second inflatable device being between the first inflatable device and the third inflatable device. The bumper may include two tow-hook recesses, the uninflatable panel being deployable across one of the tow-hook recesses to the deployed position and the second uninflatable panel being deployable across the other tow hook recess to the deployed position. The second inflatable device may be on a lateral midline of the bumper, one of the tow-hook recesses may be between the first inflatable device and the second inflatable device, and the other of the tow-hook recesses may be between the third inflatable device and the second inflatable device.

The uninflatable panel may be connected to the bumper in undeployed position.

The bumper may include a tow hook recess, the uninflatable panel being deployable at across the tow hook recess to the deployed position.

With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a bumper assembly10of a vehicle24includes a vehicle bumper12(hereinafter referred to as “bumper12”) and a first inflatable device14supported by the bumper12. The first inflatable device14is deployable downwardly from the bumper12from an undeployed position to a deployed position. A second inflatable device16is supported by the bumper12and spaced cross-vehicle from the first inflatable device14. The second inflatable device16is deployable downwardly from the bumper12from an undeployed position to a deployed position. An uninflatable panel18is below the bumper12and extends from the first inflatable device14to the second inflatable device16in the deployed position.

When deployed, the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, and the uninflatable panel18control the kinematics of a pedestrian in the event of a front-end pedestrian impact. Specifically, in the event of a front-end pedestrian impact, since the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, and the uninflatable panel18deploy downwardly from the bumper12in the deployed position, the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, and/or the uninflatable panel18contacts a leg of the pedestrian to distribute loading of force across the leg, e.g., to distribute loading vertically. Specifically, the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, and/or the uninflatable panel18may reduce relative movement between the femur and the tibia of the leg. Also, since the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, and the uninflatable panel18deploy downwardly from the bumper12, the inflatable devices14,16in the undeployed position provides ground clearance below the bumper12. The uninflatable panel18alleviates packaging constraints while also completing the cross-vehicle coverage for pedestrian impact. As one example, as described further below, the uninflatable panel18may be packaged around a tow hook20. The first inflatable device14the second inflatable device16being a thermoplastic elastomer aids in the deployment characteristics and the shape and size of the inflatable device14,16in the deployed position. The first inflatable device14and the second inflatable device16being a thermoplastic elastomer may aid in packaging of the first inflatable device14and the second inflatable device16, as described further below.

With reference toFIG.1, the vehicle24may be any suitable type of automobile, e.g., a passenger or commercial automobile such as a sedan, a coupe, a truck, a sport utility vehicle, a crossover vehicle, a van, a minivan, a taxi, a bus, etc. The vehicle24, as an example, may have a relatively high ride height.

The vehicle24defines a vehicle-longitudinal axis L extending between a front end (not numbered) and a rear-end (not numbered) of the vehicle24. The vehicle24defines a vehicle-lateral axis A extending from one side to the other side of the vehicle24. The vehicle24defines a vertical axis V extending between a top (not numbered) and a bottom (not numbered) of the vehicle24. The vehicle-longitudinal axis L, the vehicle-lateral axis A, and the vertical axis V are perpendicular relative to each other.

The vehicle24includes a vehicle frame58and a vehicle body22. The vehicle body22and the vehicle frame58may have a body-on-frame construction (also referred to as a cab-on-frame construction) in which the body and frame are separate components, i.e., are modular, and the body is supported on and connected to the frame. In the example shown in the Figures, the vehicle24has a body-on-frame construction. As another example, the vehicle body22and the vehicle frame58may be of a unibody construction in which the vehicle frame58is unitary with the vehicle body22(including frame rails26, pillars, roof rails, etc.). Alternatively, the frame and body may have any suitable construction. The frame and body may be of any suitable material, for example, steel, aluminum, and/or fiber-reinforced plastic, etc.

The vehicle frame58may include frame rails26that are elongated along the vehicle-longitudinal axis L. The frame rails26extend to the front end of the vehicle24and may extend from the front end of the vehicle24to the rear end of the vehicle24. The frame rails26may be components of a body-on-frame construction, as described above, and in such an example the vehicle body22is supported on and connected to the frame rails26, e.g., with cab-mount brackets. The frame rails26may, for example, include energy absorbers (not numbered) configured to absorb energy during a vehicle-to-vehicle24impact. For example, the frame rails26may include crush-initiators, crush cans, crush zones, etc. The frame rail26may be of any suitable material such as metal (steel, aluminum, etc.), fiber-reinforced plastic, etc.

The bumper assembly10is supported by the vehicle frame58. In the example shown in the Figures, the bumper assembly10is supported by the frame rails26. In other words, the weight of the bumper assembly10is borne by the frame rails26. Specifically, the bumper12may be elongated from one frame rail26to the other frame rail26. The bumper12may be elongated along the vehicle-lateral axis A. The bumper12is connected to the frame rails26, i.e., directly connected to the frame rails26or indirectly connected to the frame rails26through an intermediate component such as a bracket, fastener components, etc. As an example, the bumper12may be connected to the frame rail26by fastener, welding, etc. As set forth above, in some examples the frame rails26may include energy absorbers and in examples in which the energy absorbers are on front ends of the frame rails26, the bumper12may be directly connected to the energy absorbers.

The bumper12may have a class-A surface, i.e., a surface specifically manufactured to have a high-quality, finished aesthetic appearance free of blemishes. The class-A surface faces vehicle-forward. As an example, the class-A surface may be chromed or have a chrome-like appearance. The bumper12may be any suitable material, e.g., metal such as steel, aluminum, etc.; plastic such as fiber-reinforced plastic, etc.

The bumper12has a front face28that faces vehicle-forward. The front face28is upright and may be generally vertical. The bumper12may have a top surface30and a bottom surface32with the front face28between the top surface30and the bottom surface32. The top surface30is spaced vertically from the bottom surface32. The top surface30is above the front face28and the bottom surface32is below the front face28. The top surface30and the bottom surface32may both extend vehicle-rearward from the front face28.

With reference toFIGS.1-2, the vehicle24may include one or more tow hooks20connected to the vehicle frame58, e.g., the frame rail26, at the front end of the vehicle24. As an example, the tow hook20may be connected to a vehicle-forward end of the frame rail26, e.g., by fastener, welding, etc. The vehicle24may include any suitable number of tow hooks20. In examples including more than one tow hook20, the tow hooks20may be identical. As an example, two tow hooks20are shown in the Figures and are identical to each other with common numerals identifying the common features. The vehicle24may include, for example, two tow hooks20at the front end of the vehicle24, e.g., one tow hook20on each frame rail26.

The tow hook20may be of any suitable shape. In one example, as shown in the Figures, the tow hook20may include an open loop. In other words, the tow hook20includes an opening that, for example, may receive a strap or chain of a towing vehicle24. As another example, the tow hook20may include a closed loop, i.e., may include an enclosed ring that may receive a strap or chain of a towing vehicle24.

The bumper12may include a tow-hook recess34for the tow hook20. The tow-hook recess34may be sized to permit access to the tow hook20. For example, in the example shown in the Figures, the tow-hook recesses34are on the bottom surface32of the bumper12and are recessed upwardly relative to the rest of the bottom surface32. The tow hook20may be recessed vehicle-rearward of the bumper12in the tow-hook recess34or the tow hook20may extend from the frame vehicle-forward of the bumper12through the tow-hook recess34. In examples including two tow hooks20, the bumper12may include two tow-hook recesses34, i.e., one tow hook20recess for each tow hook20. In such examples, the tow hooks20and the tow-hook recesses34are spaced from each other along the vehicle-lateral axis A.

With reference toFIGS.1-2, the vehicle24includes a grill36at the front end of the vehicle24. The grill36is above the bumper assembly10. The grill36may be spaced from the bumper assembly10or abutting the bumper assembly10. The grill36may be a component of the vehicle body22and may be supported on other components of the vehicle body22.

The bumper assembly10includes at least one deployable assembly. In the example shown in the Figures, the bumper assembly10includes two deployable assemblies38,40, namely a lower deployable assembly38and an upper deployable assembly40. The deployable assembly38,40includes the inflatable device14,16,42,46. The deployable assembly38,40may have more than one inflatable device14,16,42,46and at least one uninflatable panel18,44extending from one inflatable device14,16,42to another inflatable device14,16,42. Specifically, in the example shown in the Figures, the lower deployable assembly38includes three inflatable devices14,16,42and two uninflatable panels14,44, namely the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, a third inflatable device42, the uninflatable panel18, and a second uninflatable panel44. The deployable assembly38,40may include only one inflatable device46. For example, in the example shown in the Figures, the upper deployable assembly40includes an upper inflatable device46. In such an example, the upper deployable assembly40does not include an uninflatable panel. The deployable assembly38,40includes at least one inflator48to deploy the inflatable device14,16,42,46as described further below.

The deployable assembly38,40is supported by the bumper12. In other words, the weight of the deployable assembly38,40is borne by the bumper12. The deployable assembly38,40may be directly connected to the bumper12, e.g., with fasteners64(described further below) such as threaded fasteners, push-pins, Christmas-tree fasteners, adhesive66, etc., or indirectly connected to the bumper12through an intermediate component such as a bracket, fastener components, etc. By way of example, the deployable assemblies38,40are shown attached with both adhesive66and Christmas-tree fasteners. As an example, the lower deployable assembly38may be supported on the bottom surface32of the bumper12and may be connected to the bottom surface32. In such an example, the inflatable device14,16,42,46and/or the uninflatable panel18may be connected to the bottom surface32. The upper deployable assembly40may be supported on the top surface30of the bumper12and may be connected to the top surface30.

In the undeployed position, the deployable assembly38,40may be elongated along the vehicle-lateral axis A. Specifically, in the undeployed position the inflatable device14,16,42,46may be elongated along the vehicle-lateral axis A. In examples including the uninflatable panel18, e.g., the lower deployable assembly38, the uninflatable panel18may be elongated along the vehicle-lateral axis A. In the undeployed position, the inflatable device14,16,42,46may be rolled and/or folded on the bumper12, e.g., on the top surface30or the bottom surface32as described above. For example, in the example shown in the Figures, the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, and the third inflatable device42of the lower deployable assembly38are supported by the bumper12and are connected to the bumper12, e.g., to the bottom surface32of the bumper12, as shown in the example in the Figures. The upper inflatable device46of the upper deployable assembly40is supported by and connected to the bumper12, e.g., to the top surface30of the bumper12, as shown in the example in the Figures.

In the example shown in the Figures, the inflatable devices14,16,42,46are connected directly to the bumper12. In such an example, the deployable assembly38,40may include a cover50that covers the inflatable devices14,16,42,46and/or uninflatable panels14,44on the bumper12, as described further below. As another example, the deployable assemblies38,40may include a housing (not numbered) connected to the bumper12and the inflatable device14,16,42,46may be supported on the bumper12by the housing. In such an example, the housing houses the inflatable device14,16,42,46in the undeployed position and supports the inflatable device14,16,42,46in the deployed position. The inflatable device14,16,42,46may be rolled and/or folded to fit within the housing in the undeployed position. The housing may be of any suitable material, e.g., a rigid polymer, a metal, a composite, or a combination of rigid materials. The housing may, for example, include clips, panels, etc. for attaching the inflatable device14,16,42,46and for connecting the inflatable device14,16,42,46assembly to the bumper12.

The material of the inflatable device14,16,42,46is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Specifically, the inflatable device14,16,42,46has walls that are thermoplastic elastomer. The walls of the inflatable device14,16,42,46define an inflation chamber52expandable by inflation medium from the inflator48, as described below. A thermoplastic elastomer has both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. The inflatable device14,16,42,46may be of any suitable TPE, e.g., styrenic block copolymers, thermoplastic olefins, elastomeric alloys, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic copolyesters, and thermoplastic polyamides. The sides of the inflatable device14,16,42,46are solid, i.e., not woven, not fabric, etc. The inflatable device14,16,42,46may be formed using any suitable manufacturing process, e.g., injection molding, blow molding, ultrasonic welding, etc. A TPE may be manufactured with a class-A surface, e.g., the TPE may be textured in the molding process to match another class-A surface in the vehicle24. In other words, when the inflatable device14,16,42,46is a TPE, the inflatable device14,16,42,46can be integrated into vehicle24components without an additional covering.

The inflatable device14,16,42,46may be unitary. Specifically, the walls of the inflatable device14,16,42,46may be unitary. In other words, the walls in combination are a single, uniform piece of material with no seams, joints, fasteners, or adhesives holding them to each other, i.e., the walls are formed together simultaneously as a single continuous unit. As another example, the walls may be non-unitary, i.e., formed separately and subsequently assembled, e.g., by adhesive, welding, overmolding, etc. As set forth above, the deployable assembly38,40may be connected to the bumper12with fasteners64. Specifically, the fasteners64may be unitary with one of the walls of the inflatable device14,16,42,46, as shown in the example shown in the Figures. Specifically, in the example shown in the Figures, the inflatable devices14,16,42,46include Christmas-tree fasteners that are unitary with one of the walls.

In examples including the uninflatable panel18,44, e.g., the lower deployable assembly38, the inflatable device(s)14,16,42and the uninflatable panel(s)18,44may be unitary. As another example, the inflatable device(s)14,16,42and the uninflatable panel(s)18,44may be formed separately and subsequently assembled, e.g., by adhesive, welding, overmolding, etc. In examples in which the inflatable device(s)14,16,42and the uninflatable panel(s)18,44are unitary, the inflatable device(s)14,16,42and the uninflatable panel(s)18,44may be of the same material type, e.g., TPE as described above. In other examples, the uninflatable panel(s)18,44may be, for example, fabric, e.g., woven nylon.

The lower deployable assembly38includes inflatable devices14,16,42spaced cross-vehicle from each other. Specifically, the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, and the third inflatable device42are spaced cross-vehicle from each other. In such an example, the inflatable devices14,16,42and the uninflatable panels14,44are arranged in an alternating pattern along the bumper12. In other words, in the vehicle-lateral axis A, the lower deployable assembly38includes one inflatable device14,16,42, then one uninflatable panel18,44, then another inflatable panel18,44, then another uninflatable panel18,44, and so on.

In the example shown in the Figures in which the lower deployable assembly38includes three inflatable devices14,16,42, one of the inflatable devices14,16,42(i.e., the second inflatable device16in the Figures) may be on a longitudinal midline of the bumper12in which case the other inflatable devices14,16,42are outboard on opposites sides thereof.

As set forth above, the bumper12includes two tow-hook recesses34in the example shown in the Figures. In the example shown in the Figures, one of the tow-hook recesses34may be between the first inflatable device14and the second inflatable device16, and the other of the tow-hook recesses34may be between the third inflatable device42and the second inflatable device16. In such an example, the uninflatable panel18is in one of the tow-hook recesses34and the second uninflatable panel44is in the other of the tow-hook recesses34. As described further below, during downward deployment of the lower deployable assembly38, the uninflatable panel18and the second uninflatable panel44extend across the tow-hook recesses34, respectively. The uninflatable panel18and the second uninflatable panel44accommodate packaging restraints in the tow-hook recesses34when the lower deployable assembly38is in the undeployed position.

The deployable assembly38,40is deployable away from the bumper12. Specifically, the lower deployable assembly38is deployable downwardly from the undeployed position to the deployed position. In examples including the upper deployable assembly40, the upper deployable assembly40is deployable upwardly from the undeployed position to the deployed position.

The inflatable device14,16,42,46is deployable from the undeployed position, as shown inFIGS.1,3,4A,4B, and4Cto the deployed position, as shown inFIGS.2,5,6A,6B, and6C. Specifically, the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16and the third inflatable device42are deployable downwardly from the bumper12from the undeployed position to the deployed position. As another example, in examples including the upper inflatable device46, the upper inflatable device46is deployable upwardly from the bumper12from the undeployed position to the deployed position.

The first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, and the third inflatable device42are underneath the upper inflatable device46in both the undeployed position and the deployed position. In the deployed position, the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16and the third inflatable device42may extend below the bumper12relative to the vertical axis V. The upper inflatable device46in the deployed position may extend above the bumper12. The upper inflatable device46may be vehicle-forward of the grill36and may cover50the grill36in the deployed position.

The uninflatable panel18,44, e.g., the uninflatable panel18and the second uninflatable panel44, may be a panel of material that is not fixed to another panel, or itself, to enclose a volume for receiving inflation medium. The uninflatable panel18,44is not in fluid communication with the inflation chambers52of the inflatable devices14,16,42,46. The uninflatable panel18,44does not include a chamber inflatable by inflation medium. In other words, the uninflatable panel18,44does not inflate.

The uninflatable panel18and the second uninflatable panel44are below the bumper12. In the example shown in the Figures, the uninflatable panel18extends from the first inflatable device14to the second inflatable device16, and the second uninflatable panel44extends from the second inflatable device16to the third inflatable device42. The uninflatable panel18and the second uninflatable panel44extend downwardly from the bottom surface32in the deployed position to increase cross-vehicle coverage of the lower deployable assembly to control the kinematics of a pedestrian in the event of a pedestrian impact.

The uninflatable panel18may be supported by the inflatable device14,16,42. In the example shown in the Figures, the uninflatable panel18may be supported on the first inflatable device14and the second inflatable device16in the deployed positions, and the second uninflatable panel44may be supported on the second inflatable device16and the third inflatable device42in the deployed positions. In other words, the weight of the uninflatable panel18is supported by the first inflatable device14and the second inflatable device16in the deployed positions, and the second uninflatable panel44is supported by the second uninflatable device14and the third uninflatable device14in the deployed positions. Specifically, the uninflatable panel18is directly connected to the first inflatable device14and the second inflatable device16, and the second uninflatable panel44is directly connected to the second inflatable device16and the third inflatable device42. The uninflatable panel18may be spaced from the bumper12in the deployed position and the second uninflatable panel44may be spaced from the bumper12in the deployed positions. The uninflatable panel18and the second uninflatable panel44may be connected to the bumper12in undeployed position. Specifically, the uninflatable panel18and the second uninflatable panel44may be directly or indirectly connected to the bumper12, e.g., with fasteners64such as threaded fasteners, push-pins, Christmas-tree fasteners, adhesive66, etc.

As set forth above, the uninflatable panel18,44may be deployable across one of the tow-hook recesses34to the deployed position and the second uninflatable panel44may be deployable across the other tow-hook recess34to the deployed position. Specifically, the uninflatable panel18extends across one of the tow-hook recesses34and the second uninflatable panel44extends across the other of the tow-hook recesses34. The uninflatable panel18and the second uninflatable panel44are packaged around the two tow-hook recesses34alleviating packaging constraints and accommodating the operation of the uninflatable panel18and second uninflatable panel44while also completing the cross-vehicle coverage for pedestrian impact.

As set forth above the bumper12has the front face28. The lower inflatable assembly has front faces60horizontally aligned with the front face28of the bumper12. Specifically, the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, and the uninflatable panel18each have a face60horizontally aligned with the front face28of the bumper12in the deployed position. In examples including the third inflatable device42, the third inflatable device42and the second uninflatable panel44also be horizontally aligned with the front face28of the bumper12in the deployed position, i.e., each have a face60horizontal aligned with the front face28of the bumper12in the deployed position. As another example, the upper inflatable assembly may be horizontally aligned with the front face28of the bumper12. Specifically, the upper inflatable device46has a front face60that may be horizontally aligned with the front face28of the bumper12in the deployed position. The horizontal alignment of the inflatable devices14,16,42,46and uninflatable panels14,44with the front face28of the bumper12distributes load across the leg of a pedestrian in the event of a pedestrian impact.

The deployable assembly38,40may include a cover50supported by the bumper12and covering the inflatable device14,16,42,46and or uninflatable panel18. In some examples, the lower deployable assembly38may include one cover50that covers each of the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, the third inflatable device42, the uninflatable panel18, and the second uninflatable panel44. In other examples, the lower deployable assembly38may include more than one cover50each dedicated to one or a combination of less than all of the inflatable devices14,16,42,46and uninflatable panels14,44. The cover50may be connected to the bumper12, for example, with adhesive, fasteners, etc. The inflatable devices14,16,42,46and uninflatable panels14,44may be rolled or otherwise packaged in the undeployed position and may break from the cover50to the deployed position.

The cover50may include a tear seam. For example, the tear seam may extend along the vehicle-lateral axis A. The tear seam may be designed such that the inflatable device14,16,42,46breaks through and extend through the tear seam in the deployed position. The tear seam may be, for example, a line of perforations through the cover50, a line of thinner cover50material than the rest of the cover50, etc.

The bumper assembly10includes at least one inflator48to deploy the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, the third inflatable device42and the upper inflatable device46. In one example, the lower deployable assembly38may include one inflator48and the upper inflatable assembly may include a separate inflator48. In other examples, two or more of the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, the third inflatable device42and the upper inflatable device46may share a common inflator48. In such examples, the common inflator48may be fluidly connected to multiple ones of the first inflatable device14, the second inflatable device16, the third inflatable device42, and/or the upper inflatable device46, for example, through separate fill tubes.

The inflator48may be directly or indirectly connected to the bumper12, e.g., with fasteners64such as threaded fasteners, push-pins, Christmas-tree fasteners, etc. The inflator48may be connected to the vehicle body22. The inflator48may be vehicle-rearward of the bumper12between the top surface30and the bottom surface32.

The inflator48expands the inflatable device14,16,42,46with inflation medium, such as a gas, to move the inflatable device14,16,42,46from the undeployed position to the deployed position. Specifically, the inflator48inflates the inflation chamber52of the inflatable device14,16,42,46. The inflator48may be, for example, a pyrotechnic inflator48that ignites a chemical reaction to generate the inflation medium, a stored gas inflator48that releases (e.g., by a pyrotechnic valve) stored gas as the inflation medium, or a hybrid.

With reference toFIG.7, the vehicle24includes a computer54that controls the deployment of the deployable assemblies38,40. The computer54may be, for example, a restraints control module The computer54includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes one or more forms of computer54readable media, and stores instructions executable by the processor for performing various operations, including as disclosed herein. For example, the computer54can be a generic computer54with 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 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 computer54may 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 a computer54. The memory can be of any type, e.g., hard disk drives, solid state drives, servers, or any volatile or non-volatile media. The memory can store the collected data sent from the sensors. The memory can be a separate device from the computer54, and the computer54can retrieve information stored by the memory via a network in the vehicle24, e.g., over a CAN bus, a wireless network, etc.

As set forth above, the vehicle24may include at least one impact sensor56. The impact sensor56is in communication with the computer54. The impact sensor56senses impact, e.g., pedestrian impact, and the computer54controls deployment of the deployable assemblies38,40in response to detected impact, for sensing impact of the vehicle24. The impact sensor56is configured to sense impact during or prior to impact, i.e., pre impact sensing. The impact sensor56may be of any suitable type, for example, post contact sensors such as accelerometers, pressure sensors, and contact switches; and pre impact sensors56such 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 vehicle24includes a communication network62. The communication network62can include a bus in the vehicle such as a controller area network (CAN) or the like, and/or other wired and/or wireless mechanisms. Via the vehicle network, the computer54may transmit messages to various devices in the vehicle and/or receive messages (e.g., CAN messages) from the various devices, e.g., sensors, an actuator, a human machine interface (HMI), etc. Various controllers and/or sensors, including the impact sensors56may provide data to the computer54via the vehicle communication network62.

The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.