PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12208760-B1
Application Number: US-202318151561-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Safety systems for modular seating

Abstract:
A positioning system for a reaction surface is usable with a support having a rearward position spaced from the reaction surface and a forward position proximate to the reaction surface. A controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of an event, receive a signal indicative of the support being in the rearward position, and send a command configured to move the support from the rearward position to the forward position based on the signal indicative of the event and based on the signal indicative of the support being in the rearward position.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle safety system, comprising:
 an airbag configured to deploy to abut a reaction surface; 
 a seat having a forward position in which the seat is proximate to the reaction surface and a rearward position in which the seat is spaced further from the reaction surface than in the forward position; and 
 a controller configured to:
 receive a signal indicative of a vehicle event; 
 receive a signal indicative of the seat being in the rearward position; and 
 send a command configured to move the seat from the rearward position to the forward position based on the signal indicative of the vehicle event and based on the signal indicative of the seat being in the rearward position, such that the airbag, in response to the vehicle event, is deployed between the reaction surface and the forward position. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The safety system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a seat release mechanism, the controller further configured to: 
 send a command to move the seat release mechanism from a locked configuration that limits movement of the seat to an unlocked configuration that allows movement of the seat from the rearward position to the forward position during the vehicle event. 
 
     
     
       3. The safety system of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction surface forms a portion of a work table, the work table comprising:
 a top surface configured to support objects in an extended position; and 
 a bottom surface configured to abut the airbag in a reaction position, 
 wherein the reaction surface is the bottom surface of the work table. 
 
     
     
       4. The safety system of  claim 3 , wherein when deployed, the airbag expands to abut the bottom surface of the work table and is configured to move the work table from the extended position to the reaction position. 
     
     
       5. The safety system of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction surface has a stowed position within an interior surface of the vehicle and an extended position extending from the interior surface. 
     
     
       6. The safety system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a seat energy-absorbing (EA) device, the controller further configured to: 
 send a command to actuate the seat EA device to control movement of the seat from the rearward position to the forward position based on the signal indicative of the vehicle event and based on the signal indicative of the seat being in the rearward position. 
 
     
     
       7. The safety system of  claim 6 , wherein the seat EA device comprises an EA element configured to deform above a predetermined load threshold to control movement of the seat between the rearward and forward positions. 
     
     
       8. The safety system of  claim 7 , wherein the EA element is a series of notch elements spaced along a longitudinal axis of a seat guide. 
     
     
       9. The safety system of  claim 7 , wherein the seat EA device comprises a cable coupled to the seat and configured to payout from a cable guide above a predetermined load threshold to control movement of the seat along a seat guide. 
     
     
       10. The safety system of  claim 9 , wherein the cable guide comprises a spool and torsion bar configured to control payout of the cable along the seat guide. 
     
     
       11. The safety system of  claim 9 , wherein the cable comprises a ductile strip and the cable guide comprises barriers configured to deform the ductile strip to control payout of the ductile strip along the seat guide. 
     
     
       12. A safety system, comprising:
 a reaction surface configured to deploy from an interior surface of a vehicle cabin, wherein the reaction surface has a stowed position within the interior surface of the vehicle cabin and an extended position extending from the interior surface of the vehicle cabin; 
 an airbag configured to deploy from another interior surface of the vehicle cabin; and 
 a controller configured to:
 receive a signal indicative of a vehicle event; 
 send a command to deploy the reaction surface based on the signal indicative of the vehicle event; and 
 send a command to deploy the airbag to abut the deployed reaction surface based on the signal indicative of the vehicle event. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The safety system of  claim 12 , wherein when deployed, the airbag expands to abut both the other interior surface and the reaction surface in the extended position. 
     
     
       14. The safety system of  claim 12 , wherein the interior surface is a front wall of the vehicle cabin, wherein the other interior surface is a foot well of the vehicle cabin, and wherein the reaction surface is a flat panel extending from the front wall of the vehicle cabin in the extended position. 
     
     
       15. The safety system of  claim 12 , wherein the interior surface is a roof of the vehicle cabin. 
     
     
       16. The safety system of  claim 15 , wherein the reaction surface includes extendable arms and deformable material extending between the extendable arms in the extended position. 
     
     
       17. A safety system for a vehicle, comprising:
 a reaction surface configured to deploy from an interior surface of a vehicle cabin; 
 a seat having a rearward position spaced from the reaction surface and a forward position proximate to the reaction surface; and 
 a controller configured to:
 receive a signal indicative of a vehicle event; 
 send a command to deploy the reaction surface based on the signal indicative of the vehicle event; and 
 receive a signal indicative of the seat being in the rearward position; and 
 send a command configured to move the seat from the rearward position to the forward position based on the signal indicative of the vehicle event and based on the signal indicative of the seat being in the rearward position. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The safety system of  claim 17 , wherein the interior surface is a roof of the vehicle cabin and the reaction surface is a flat panel that extends from the roof of the vehicle cabin upon deployment. 
     
     
       19. The safety system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 an airbag configured to deploy between the reaction surface and the seat in the forward position in response to the vehicle event. 
 
     
     
       20. The safety system of  claim 19 , wherein the reaction surface is a work table having a top surface configured to support objects in an extended position and a bottom surface configured to abut the airbag in a reaction position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 17/316,846, field May 11, 2021, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/024,038, filed May 13, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to reaction surface positioning systems and other motion-control devices configured to control motion of an occupant in a variety of positions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Interior surfaces can serve as reaction surfaces for positioning systems. 
     In modular positioning systems, such as with modular interior elements that can be arranged into a configuration consistent with a mobile office or a living room, traditional reaction surfaces may not be present. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a first aspect, the disclosure describes a safety system for a vehicle including a work table, an airbag, and a controller that includes a processor. The work table is disposed in an extended position and is movable to a reaction position and a stowed position. The processor is configured to receive information indicative of a vehicle event. The processor is further configured to send a command to deploy the airbag based on the information indicative of the vehicle event. When deployed, the airbag expands to abut a bottom surface of the work table and move the work table from the extended position to the reaction position such that the bottom surface of the work table in the reaction position serves as a reaction surface for the airbag. 
     In the first aspect, the processor can be further configured to receive information indicative of the stowed position for the work table and send a command to cause movement of the work table from the stowed position to the extended position based on the information indicative of the vehicle event and the stowed position for the work table. The safety system can further comprise a table release mechanism configured to prohibit movement of the work table in a locked configuration and allow movement of the work table in an unlocked configuration. The processor can be further configured to send a command to the table release mechanism to move from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration to allow movement of the work table between the extended position and the reaction position based on the information indicative of the vehicle event and the information indicative of the extended position of the work table. 
     In the first aspect, the safety system can include a seat system and the processor can be further configured to receive information indicative of a rearward position for a seat in the seat system. The seat can have a forward position proximate to the work table and the rearward position spaced from the work table. The processor can be further configured to send a command to a seat release mechanism to move from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to allow movement of the seat based on the information indicative of the vehicle event, the extended position of the work table, and the rearward position of the seat. The processor can be further configured to send a command to a seat motion-control device configured to cause movement of the seat from the rearward position to the forward position based on the information indicative of the vehicle event, the extended position of the work table, and the rearward position of the seat. 
     In the first aspect, the safety system can include a seat energy-absorbing (EA) device configured to control movement of the seat between the rearward and forward positions. The seat EA device can include an EA element configured to deform above a predetermined load threshold to control movement of the seat between the rearward and forward positions. The EA element can be a series of notch elements spaced along a longitudinal axis of a seat guide. The seat EA device can be a cable coupled to the seat and configured to payout from a cable guide above a predetermined load threshold to control movement of the seat along a seat guide. The cable guide can include a spool and torsion bar configured to control payout of the cable along the seat guide. The cable can include a ductile strip and the cable guide can include barriers configured to deform the ductile stripe to control payout of the ductile strip along the seat guide. The features described in respect to the first aspect can be used together or independently in the safety system. 
     In a second aspect, the disclosure describes a method that includes receiving information indicative of an imminent collision for a vehicle and determining that a work table in the vehicle is in an extended position. The work table has a stowed position, the extended position, and a reaction position. The method also includes sending a command to deploy an airbag of the vehicle in response to receiving the information indicative of the imminent collision and determining that the work table is in the extended position. The work table is configured to move from the extended position to the reaction position based on expansion of the airbag so that a bottom surface of the work table in the reaction position serves as a reaction surface for the airbag. 
     In the second aspect, the method can include determining that the work table is in the stowed position and sending a command to cause movement of the work table from the stowed position to the extended position in response to determining that the work table is in the stowed position and in response to receiving the information indicative of the imminent collision. The method can include determining that a seat associated with the work table is in a rearward position. The seat can have a forward position proximate to the work table and the rearward position spaced from the work table. The method can include sending a command to a seat release mechanism to move from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to allow movement of the seat in response to determining that the seat is in the rearward position and that the work table is in the extended position. The method can include sending a command to a seat motion-control device to cause movement of the seat from the rearward position to the forward position in response to determining that the seat is in the rearward position and that the work table is in the extended position. The method can include sending a command to a seat energy-absorbing (EA) device to control movement of the seat between the rearward and forward positions. The features described in respect to the second aspect can be used together or independently in the method. 
     In a third aspect, the disclosure describes a safety system for a vehicle that includes a work table disposed in an extended position and movable to a reaction position and a stowed position, a seat disposed in a rearward position spaced from the work table and movable to a forward position proximate to the work table, and an airbag disposed in a stowed position under the work table and expandable to a deployed position abutting a bottom surface of the work table. The safety system includes a controller having a processor configured to send a command to deploy the airbag upon receiving information indicative of a vehicle event and send a command to move the seat from the rearward position to the forward position upon receiving the information indicative of the vehicle event. In the third aspect, the airbag moves the work table from the extended position to the reaction position such that the bottom surface of the work table in the reaction position serves as a reaction surface for the airbag. 
     In the third aspect, the processor can be configured to send a command to a seat release mechanism to move from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration to allow movement of the seat from the rearward position to the forward position. The processor can be configured to send a command to a seat motion-control device to cause movement of the seat from the rearward position to the forward position. The safety system can include a seat energy-absorbing (EA) device configured to control movement of the seat between the rearward and forward positions. The seat EA device can include an EA element configured to deform above a predetermined load threshold to control movement of the seat between the rearward and forward positions. The features described in respect to the third aspect can be used together or independently in the safety system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic representation of a vehicle cabin including modular interior elements. 
         FIG.  2    shows a motion diagram for an example of an airbag system interacting with the modular interior elements of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIGS.  3 - 6    show motion diagrams for examples of energy-absorbing (EA) devices. 
         FIGS.  7 - 8    show motion diagrams for examples of additional reaction surfaces for use with the airbag system of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  9    is a block diagram of a safety system. 
         FIG.  10    is an illustration of a hardware configuration for a controller. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the safety systems described herein, an airbag is used with novel reaction surfaces including a work table movable between a stowed position, an extended position, and a reaction position. When deployed, the airbag can expand to abut or interface with a bottom surface of the work table and move the work table from the extended position to the reaction position to provide a reaction surface for the airbag. In addition, the safety system can include a seat system with a seat movable between a forward position proximate to the work table and a rearward position spaced from the work table. The seat can be movable between the rearward position and the forward position based on the position of the work table prior to or during deployment of the airbag to better position an occupant with respect to the airbag. In the event that the work table is absent or stowed, additional or alternate reaction surfaces can be deployed for use with the airbag. 
       FIG.  1    is a schematic representation of a vehicle cabin  100  including several modular interior elements. The vehicle cabin  100  includes a seat system  102  having a seat base  104  to support a seat pan  106  and a seat back  108  that is rotatable with respect to the seat pan  106 . The seat base  104  is movable along a seat guide  110 , in this example, in a fore-aft direction (e.g., an X direction) within the vehicle cabin  100  as shown by dotted-line arrow A. The seat guide  110  can control movement of the seat base  104  using rails, tracks, electromagnets, or any other suitable mechanism. 
     The seat system  102  can include a seat motion-control device  112  associated with the seat guide  110  and designed to effectuate controlled motion of the seat base  104 , and hence the supported seat pan  106  and seat back  108 , with respect to the seat guide  110  as shown by the dotted-line arrow A. The seat guide  110  is designed to allow an extended length of fore-aft direction travel, for example, across a larger portion or an entirety of the vehicle cabin  100  as compared to more traditional vehicles with limited travel. 
     The seat system  102  can also include a seat release mechanism  114  associated with the seat guide  110  and the seat base  104 . Both the seat motion-control device  112  and the seat release mechanism  114  can receive signals or information from a controller  116  indicative of prohibiting, allowing, or otherwise controlling movement of the seat base  104  along the seat guide  110 . For example, the controller  116  can send a signal to the seat release mechanism  114  that commands the seat release mechanism  114  to switch from a locked configuration where movement of the seat base  104  along the seat guide  110  is prohibited to an unlocked configuration where movement of the seat base  104  along the seat guide  110  is allowed. Movement of the seat base  104  can be effected by the seat motion-control device  112  or by motion of the vehicle. 
     The seat system  102  also includes a restraint  118  for use in securing an occupant (not shown) to the seat pan  106  and the seat back  108 . The restraint  118  can be coupled to an anchor (not shown) and include a lap portion and a shoulder portion (not shown). The restraint  118  may include additional anchors (not shown), be coupled to one or more buckles (not shown) to secure and release the restraint  118 , or be coupled to one or more retractors (not shown) that control payout of the restraint  118  during various vehicle events. 
     The vehicle cabin  100  of  FIG.  1    also includes a table system  120 . The table system  120  includes a work table  122  for use by an occupant within the vehicle cabin  100 , for example, to hold a laptop, book, mobile device, journal, drink, or other personal paraphernalia. The work table  122  is movable along, within, or about a table guide  124 , and in this example, the work table  122  is movable in a fore-aft direction (e.g., an X direction) with respect to the table guide  124  as indicated with dotted-line arrow B. The table guide  124  can guide or control movement of the work table  122  using rails, tracks, electromagnets, or any other suitable mechanism. 
     The table system  120  can also include a table motion-control device  126  associated with the work table  122  and the table guide  124  and designed to effectuate the controlled motion of the work table  122  with respect to the table guide  124  as shown by the dotted-line arrow B. The table system  120  can also include a table release mechanism  128  associated with the table guide  124  and the work table  122 . The table release mechanism  128  can have a locked configuration prohibiting motion of the work table  122  and an unlocked configuration allowing motion of the work table  122 . Both the table motion-control device  126  and the table release mechanism  128  can receive signals or information from the controller  116  indicative of prohibiting, allowing, or otherwise controlling movement of the work table  122  along, about, or with respect to the table guide  124 . 
     In the example of  FIG.  1   , the work table  122  is shown in an extended position outwardly extending from the table guide  124 . The work table  122  can also retract into the table guide  124  in a stowed position (not shown) when the occupant is not using the work table  122 . The seat system  102  is shown in a rearward position that is spaced from the work table  122  in  FIG.  1   . The term “spaced from” is used to indicate that an occupant using the seat system  102  is sufficiently far from the work table  122  so that use of the work table  122  may be inconvenient. To effect repositioning, the controller  116  can send a signal to the table motion-control device  126  to deploy the work table  122  to extend from the table guide  124  or to stow the work table  122  within the table guide  124 . In another example, the controller  116  can send a signal to the table release mechanism  128  to allow (e.g., in the unlocked configuration) or prohibit (e.g., in the locked configuration) manual or passive storage, deployment, or rotation of the work table  122  with respect to the table guide  124 , for example, by manual occupant control. 
       FIG.  2    is a schematic representation of an airbag system  230  interacting with the modular interior elements of the seat system  102  and the table system  120  in the vehicle cabin  100  of  FIG.  1   . The airbag system  230  includes an airbag  232  deployable from a position below the work table  122 . The airbag system  230  also includes airbag storage  234 , for example, airbag packaging and inflation mechanisms (not shown), that are stowed or stored proximate to or within an interior surface  236  of the vehicle cabin  100 . The interior surface  236  can be a side wall, a front wall, a foot rest, a door panel, or any other interior surface of the vehicle cabin  100 . 
     The airbag  232  is shown in a deployed position, having expanded from a stowed position within the airbag storage  234  under the work table  122 , abutting or pushing against a bottom surface of the work table  122 , then moving the work table  122  from the extended position into a reaction position where the work table  122  serves as a reaction surface for the airbag  232 . This motion is indicated with dotted-line arrow C, with the airbag  232  expanding from below the work table  122  and rotating the work table  122  up and about a pivot (proximate to a location of the table release mechanism  128 , but not shown) with respect to the table guide  124 , until the work table  122  is both clear of an occupant (as the occupant may be moving forward) and situated in the reaction position as shown to offer an additional reaction surface for the airbag  232 . In the example of  FIG.  2   , both the interior surface  236  of the vehicle cabin  100  and the bottom surface of the work table  122  serve as reaction surfaces for the airbag  232  once deployed. 
     The airbag system  230  can be an adaptive airbag system (e.g., with a multi-stage or a multi-chamber airbag  232 ) to enable occupant contact with the airbag  232  to be optimally timed and to better control movement of the occupant. The vehicle cabin  100  can also include advanced sensors/cameras (not shown) to determine proper timing for the airbag  232  to deploy depending on various aspects of a vehicle event, such as severity, location, speed, time to imminent collision, occupant size, occupant mass, position of the seating system  102 , restraint usage, etc. The vehicle event can be a rapid deceleration, an imminent or ongoing collision, or other event sufficient to cause airbag deployment as determined, for example, by the advanced sensors/cameras. 
     The types of sensors employed can be varied and can communicate information to the controller  116 . For example, the sensors can include sensors configured to capture information from an external environment outside of the vehicle cabin. External-sensing sensors can includes technologies such as radar, LIDAR, imaging, infrared, or other technologies configured to detect potential vehicle events such as imminent collisions and provide information to the controller  116  to allow a determination of timing of the vehicle event. The sensors can also include sensors internal to the vehicle cabin  100  such as weight sensors, buckle switch sensors, internal cameras, seat position sensors, work table position sensors, imaging sensors, etc. that can provide information to the controller  116  to allow determinations to be made for positioning and deployment timing for the airbag system  230 . 
       FIG.  2    shows the seat system  102  in a forward position as compared to the rearward position shown in  FIG.  1   , that is, the seat system  102  has moved forward in the vehicle cabin  100  to be proximate to the work table  122  as indicated by dotted-line arrow D. By controlling seat stroke, that is, fore-aft movement of the seat system  102  within the vehicle cabin  100 , proper positioning of the occupant with respect to the airbag  232  is possible. The term “proximate” is used to indicate that the seat system  102  is sufficiently close to the work table  122  to allow an occupant to use the work table  122 . 
     Movement of the seat base  104  along the seat guide  110  to position the seat system  102  with respect to the airbag system  230  may be needed when a distance between the two systems is either below or above a predetermined distance threshold. The predetermined distance threshold can be selected to optimize performance of the airbag  232  with respect to the occupant, either restrained or unrestrained. Movement of the seat base  104  can be caused by inertia during the vehicle event, controlled by the seat motion-control device  112 , or controlled by a combination thereof. Movement of the occupant and the seat system  102  toward (or away from) the airbag  232  prior to or during a vehicle event such as an imminent collision can improve efficiency of the airbag  232 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , moving the seat base  104  forward toward the airbag  232  as shown by the dotted-line arrow D prior to or during a front-end vehicle event can prevent an unrestrained occupant from slipping, sliding, or falling off of the seat pan  106  or the seat back  108  while also bringing the occupant closer to the airbag  232  to improve efficiency of the airbag  232 . Though examples herein describe a forward-facing seat system  102  and a front-end airbag system  230 , the same components in alternate positions can be used in combination with rearward-facing occupants and/or read-end vehicle events. 
     In an example of safety system operation for a front-end vehicle event with a forward-facing occupant, the controller  116  can send a signal to the table release mechanism  128  to change from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration in order to allow the work table  122  to rotate upward with respect to the table guide  124  in response to information indicative of a vehicle event such as an imminent collision to prepare the work table  122  to serve as a reaction surface for the airbag  232 . Rotation of the work table  122  can be controlled by expansion of the airbag  232 , or, for example, implemented using the table motion-control device  126 . The controller  116  can also send a signal to the seat release mechanism  114  to move to the unlocked configuration so that the seat base  104  is movable with respect to the seat guide  110 . The seat base  104  (and thus the seat pan  106  and the seat back  108 ) can be configured to move toward the work table  122  and the airbag  232  in response to information indicative of a vehicle event. Movement of the seat base  104  can be effectuated by motion of the vehicle, or, for example, implemented or controlled using the seat motion-control device  112 . In some examples, the motion-control device  112  can include an energy-absorbing (EA) device to decrease a severity of a pulse experienced by a restrained occupant during the vehicle event while also bringing the occupant closer to the airbag  232 . 
       FIGS.  3 - 6    show motion diagrams for examples of EA devices  335 ,  435 ,  535 ,  635  for use with the motion-control devices  112 ,  126  shown and described in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . The EA devices  335 ,  435 ,  535 ,  635  can be used to dampen movement during a vehicle event such as an imminent collision and can serve as part of or be otherwise associated with the motion-control devices  112 ,  126 . 
       FIG.  3    shows a bending bar EA device  335  with a ductile strip that is attached to an anchor point  337  and routed through a series of barriers which plastically deform the ductile strip, generating a tunable force threshold for payout of the ductile strip, with payout of the anchor point  337  indicated using a dotted-line arrow E. In other words, deformation of the ductile strip will slow or dampen motion of the anchor point  337 . 
       FIG.  4    shows a cable-type EA device  435  with a cable or other tension carrying member that is attached to an anchor point  437  and coiled around a spool with a torsion bar that controls a tunable force threshold for payout, with payout of the anchor point  437  indicated using a dotted-line arrow F. In other words, the cable or tension carrying member will begin to unwind from the spool to support motion of the anchor point  437 . In  FIGS.  3  and  4   , motion of the anchor points  337 ,  437  can be configured to occur after the tunable force threshold is met. The EA devices  335 ,  435  of  FIGS.  3  and  4    may be suitable for use with the seat motion-control device  112  to control motion of the seat system  102  during a vehicle event. 
       FIG.  5    shows a ladder-type EA device  535  having notches configured to support a tunable force threshold in that the notches withstand a predetermined amount of force from an anchor point  537  prior to undergoing compression or bending. In this manner, the notches control movement of the anchor point  537 . Motion of the anchor point  537  is indicated using a dotted-line arrow G. In other words, the anchor point  537  will move from notch to notch as subsequent notches compress or bend under force from the anchor point  537 . 
       FIG.  6    shows a deformable EA device  635  with a deformable element such as a honeycomb or extruded member with a tunable force threshold so that the deformable element controls movement of an anchor point  637 . Motion of the anchor point  637  is indicated using a dotted-line arrow H. In other words, the anchor point  637  will exert force against the deformable element to cause crushing or bending above the tunable force threshold. Motion of the anchor points  537 ,  637  can occur after the tunable force threshold is met. The EA devices  535 ,  635  of  FIGS.  5  and  6    may be suitable for use with the seat motion-control device  112  or the table motion-control device  126  during a vehicle event. 
       FIGS.  7  and  8    show motion diagrams for examples of reaction surfaces  738 ,  838  for use with the airbag system  230  of  FIG.  2   . For simplicity, the seat system  102  is not shown, though operation of the seat system  102  is compatible with use of the reaction surfaces  738 ,  838 , for example, when the work table  122  ( FIGS.  1  and  2   ) is absent or in a stowed position. In other words, the reaction surfaces  738 ,  838  can serve to support and position the airbag  232  as deployed from the airbag storage  234  proximate to or disposed within the interior surface  236  of the vehicle cabin  100  in situations where the work table  122  ( FIGS.  1  and  2   ) is absent or is in a stowed position prior to a vehicle event such as an imminent collision. 
     The reaction surfaces  738 ,  838  can be formed from flat, table-like structures or can include extendable, bendable, or rotatable arms with mesh, netting, foldable or rollable materials, stretchable materials, or other deformable and stowable materials extending between the arms. The reaction surfaces  738 ,  838  are configured for storage proximate to and deployment into the vehicle cabin  100 . In the example of  FIG.  7   , the reaction surface  738  is configured for storage proximate to the interior surface  236  and is movable to an extended position as shown by a dotted-line arrow I. In the example of  FIG.  8   , the reaction surface  838  is configured for storage proximate to a roof or pillar (not shown) proximate to the vehicle cabin  100  and is movable to an extended position as shown by a dotted-line arrow J. 
     Various mechanisms can receive commands from the controller  116  to effect motion of the work table  122 , the seat base  104 , and the reaction surfaces  738 ,  838 . For example, motion-control devices  112 ,  126 ,  740 ,  840  may be configured as one or more of an electromechanical device, a pneumatic device, and/or a pre-tensioned spring device. The electromechanical device can include an electric motor, a threaded rod, and a threaded guide coupled to a sensor module (not shown) to receive commands from the controller  116 . The pneumatic device can include pressurized gas (or a vacuum) configured to effect movement of a piston (not shown) based on a command from the controller  116 . The pre-tensioned spring device can include a spring that is coupled to a sensor module (not shown). The spring can be held in tension until being selectively released, for example, based on a command from the controller  116 . The motion-control devices  112 ,  126 ,  740 ,  840  can also control movement using other mechanisms such as telescoping systems, folding systems, cable or tether systems, or track-based systems. 
       FIG.  9    is a block diagram that shows a safety system  942 . The safety system  942  can include a controller  944 , sensors  946 , a seat system  948 , a reaction system  950 , and an airbag system  952 . The safety system  942  can include components similar to components described in reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 7   . For example, the seat system  948  can operate in a manner similar to the seat system  102  of  FIGS.  1 - 2   . The reaction system  950  can operate in a manner similar to the table system  120  described in reference to  FIGS.  1 - 2    and the reaction surfaces  738 ,  838  described in reference to  FIGS.  7 - 8   . The airbag system  952  can operate in a manner similar to the airbag system  230  described in reference to  FIGS.  2 ,  7 , and  8   . The safety system  942  is shown as including the seat system  948 , the reaction system  950 , and the airbag system  952 , but one or more of these components may be absent from the safety system  942 . 
     The controller  944  coordinates operation of the safety system  942  by communicating electronically (e.g., using wired or wireless communications) with the sensors  946 , the seat system  948 , the reaction system  950 , and the airbag system  952 . The controller  944  may receive information (e.g., signals, information, and/or data) from the sensors  946  and may receive information from and/or send information to other portions of the safety system  942  such as the seat system  948 , the reaction system  950 , the airbag system  952 , or other portions (not shown). 
     The sensors  946  may capture or receive information related, for example, to components of the safety system  942  and from an external environment where the safety system  942  is located. The external environment can be an exterior of a vehicle or an interior of a vehicle such as the vehicle cabin  100  of  FIGS.  1 - 2  and  7 - 8   . Information captured or received by the sensors  946  can relate to seats, anchors, footrests, occupants within a vehicle, other vehicles, pedestrians and/or objects in the external environment, operating conditions of the vehicle, operating conditions or trajectories of other vehicles, and/or other conditions within the vehicle or exterior to the vehicle. 
     The safety system  942  can change an operational mode of the seat system  948 , the reaction system  950 , and/or the airbag system  952  based on a control signal, such as a signal from the controller  944 . The control signal may be based on information captured or received by the sensors  946  and may cause various components within the safety system  942  to change between various operational modes. 
       FIG.  10    shows an example of a hardware configuration for a controller  1054  that may be used to implement the controller  944  and/or other portions of the safety system  942 . In the illustrated example, the controller  1054  includes a processor  1056 , a memory device  1058 , a storage device  1060 , one or more input devices  1062 , and one or more output devices  1064 . These components may be interconnected by hardware such as a bus  1066  that allows communication between the components. 
     The processor  1056  may be a conventional device such as a central processing unit and is operable to execute computer program instructions and perform operations described by the computer program instructions. The memory device  1058  may be a volatile, high-speed, short-term information storage device such as a random-access memory module. The storage device  1060  may be a non-volatile information storage device such as a hard drive or a solid-state drive. The input devices  1062  may include sensors such as the sensors  946  and/or any type of human-machine interface, such as buttons, switches, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen input device, a gestural input device, or an audio input device. The output devices  1064  may include any type of device operable to send commands associated with an operating mode or state or provide an indication to a user regarding an operating mode or state, such as a display screen, an interface for a safety system such as the safety system  942 , or an audio output. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from various sources, such as from the sensors  946  or user profiles, to improve the function of safety systems such as the safety system  942 . The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter IDs, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver changes to operational modes of safety systems such as the safety system  942  to best match user preferences or profiles. Other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also possible. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. 
     Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of user-profile-based safety systems, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, changes in operational modes in safety systems can be implemented for a given user by inferring user preferences or user status based on non-personal information data, a bare minimum amount of personal information, other non-personal information available to the system, or publicly available information.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20230109
Publication Date: 20250128
Grant Date: 20250128
Priority Date: 20200513
Inventors: Llamazares Domper, Arturo
GOLMAN, ADAM J.
White, Nicholas A.
BUEHLER, JESSE T.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B60N3/001", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/013", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/01554", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2021/161", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0276", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/0134", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N3/002", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N3/001", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/0134", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 85289303