PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11654858-B1
Application Number: US-202117549189-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Restraint system

Abstract:
A deployable restraint system comprising a reaction panel, a panel actuator that deploys the reaction panel, a cushion, and a cushion actuator that deploys the cushion. When both the reaction panel and the cushion are deployed, the reaction panel is configured to transfer force from the cushion to a roof and only one of two sides of a compartment. A lower end of the reaction panel is configured to couple to the one of the two sides with a tether that is moved by the panel actuator.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle, comprising:
 a vehicle body having a floor, a roof, and two sides that cooperatively define a passenger compartment; 
 seats in the passenger compartment, at least one of the seats being arranged in a front row and facing rearward, and at least one other of the seats being arranged in a rear row and facing forward toward the front row; and 
 a deployable restraint system comprising:
 a panel; 
 a tether; and 
 a panel actuator that deploys the panel and moves the tether; 
 
 wherein the panel extends inboard along the roof when stored; and 
 wherein the tether is configured to apply tension between one of the two sides and a lower end of the panel when moved by the panel actuator. 
 
     
     
       2. The vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel, when deployed by the panel actuator, transfers force to and is placed in tension between upper tension locations at the roof and a lower outboard tension location at the one of the two sides but not the other of the two sides;
 wherein the upper tension locations include an upper inboard tension location that is further from the one of the two sides than the other of the two sides; 
 wherein an upper end of the panel is fixedly coupled to the roof at the upper tension locations to transfer force thereto; 
 wherein the lower end of the panel is coupled to the tether that transfers force to the lower outboard tension location; 
 wherein the panel actuator moves the tether to pull the lower end of the panel downward; 
 wherein the deployable restraint system further comprises an inflatable cushion and a cushion actuator that deploys the inflatable cushion by inflating the inflatable cushion, wherein the inflatable cushion extends inboard along the roof when stored and is deployed between the panel and a seat back of the at least one other of the seats in the rear row; and 
 wherein when both the panel and the inflatable cushion are deployed, the inflatable cushion extends below the panel. 
 
     
     
       3. The vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel, when deployed by the panel actuator, transfers force to and is placed in tension between at least one upper tension location at the roof and the tether that transfers force to a lower outboard tension location at one of the two sides but not the other of the two sides. 
     
     
       4. The vehicle according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one upper tension location includes an upper inboard tension location that is further from the one of the two sides than the other of the two sides. 
     
     
       5. The vehicle according to  claim 3 , wherein the panel actuator moves the tether to pull the lower end of the panel downward and toward the lower outboard tension location. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle according to  claim 3 , wherein an upper end of the panel is fixedly coupled to the roof at the at least one upper tension location. 
     
     
       7. The vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the deployable restraint system further comprises:
 an inflatable cushion and a cushion actuator that deploys the inflatable cushion by inflating the cushion to a position between the panel and a seat back of the at least one of the seats in the rear row. 
 
     
     
       8. The vehicle according to  claim 7 , wherein when both the panel and the inflatable cushion are deployed, the cushion extends below the panel. 
     
     
       9. The vehicle according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 another deployable restraint system, wherein the deployable restraint system is associated with a first seating position of the rear row and the another deployable restraint system is associated with a second seating position of the rear row, and wherein the panel of the deployable restraint system and another panel of the another deployable restraint system are placed in tension between the roof and different ones of the two sides. 
 
     
     
       10. The vehicle according to  claim 7 , wherein the panel and the tether, when deployed and moved by the panel actuator, respectively, transfer force to and are placed in tension between at least one upper tension location at the roof and a lower outboard tension location at one of the two sides but not the other of the two sides, and wherein the panel and the tether further transfer force from the inflatable cushion, when deployed, to the at least one upper tension location at the roof and the lower outboard tension location at the one of the two sides. 
     
     
       11. The vehicle according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a restraint control system that includes a motion sensor and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to cause operation of the panel actuator and the cushion actuator according to the motion sensor. 
 
     
     
       12. The vehicle according to  claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to cause operation of the panel actuator before the cushion actuator. 
     
     
       13. The vehicle according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a seatbelt and a seatbelt actuator that is operated to increase tension in the seatbelt, 
 wherein the controller is configured to operate the seatbelt actuator according to the motion sensor. 
 
     
     
       14. The vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the deployable restraint system further comprises:
 a second panel actuator that deploys the panel, wherein the panel is placed in tension between the two sides and the roof when deployed by the panel actuator and the second panel actuator. 
 
     
     
       15. A deployable restraint system for a passenger vehicle, comprising:
 a reaction panel; 
 a panel actuator that deploys the reaction panel; 
 a cushion; and 
 a cushion actuator that deploys the cushion, 
 wherein when both the reaction panel and the cushion are deployed, the reaction panel is configured to transfer force from the cushion to a roof and only one of two sides of the passenger vehicle, and 
 wherein a lower end of the reaction panel is configured to couple to the one of the two sides with a tether that is moved by the panel actuator. 
 
     
     
       16. The deployable restraint system according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a controller that operates the panel actuator and the cushion actuator to deploy the reaction panel before deploying the cushion. 
 
     
     
       17. The deployable restraint system according to  claim 16 , wherein the cushion is configured to deploy rearward of the reaction panel relative to a forward direction of travel of the passenger vehicle. 
     
     
       18. The deployable restraint system according to  claim 15 , wherein an upper end of the reaction panel is configured to fixedly couple to the roof. 
     
     
       19. The deployable restraint system according to  claim 15 , wherein the tether is configured to wind about a pulley to pull the lower end of the panel into tension. 
     
     
       20. The deployable restraint system according to  claim 15 , wherein an intermediate portion of the tether is configured to be moved to a lower outboard tension location. 
     
     
       21. A method for restraining a seated passenger in a passenger vehicle, the method comprising:
 deploying a panel using an actuator to extend the panel between a roof and a side of a vehicle body of the passenger vehicle; 
 moving a tether using the actuator to extend the tether between a lower end of the panel and the side of the vehicle body; and 
 deploying an inflatable cushion between the panel and the seated passenger that is configured to transfer force from the seated passenger to the panel and the tether and, in turn, from the panel to the roof and from the tether to the side of the vehicle body. 
 
     
     
       22. The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the deploying of the inflatable cushion is performed after the deploying of the panel and after the moving of the tether are initiated. 
     
     
       23. The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 assessing a seating position of the passenger vehicle; and 
 assessing motion of the passenger vehicle, wherein the deploying of the panel, the moving of the tether, and the deploying of the inflatable cushion are performed according to the assessing of the seating position and the assessing of the motion of the passenger vehicle. 
 
     
     
       24. The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the side is one of two sides of the vehicle body, and wherein the deploying of the panel includes deploying the panel to extend between the roof and the one of the two sides but not a second of the two sides.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/146,418, filed Feb. 5, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to restraint systems for passenger vehicles and, in particular, deployable restraint systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional passenger vehicles include airbags, which are inflatable restraints that deploy upon detection of impacts to and/or high acceleration of the passenger vehicle. The airbag is inflated between a reaction surface of the vehicle and the passenger. A reaction surface is formed by a generally rigid structure of the vehicle, such as an instrument panel, pillar structure, roof, or seat back. As the passenger impacts the airbag, force is transferred by the airbag from the passenger to the reaction surface, such that the airbag functions to restrain the passenger. 
     In conventional passenger vehicles, seats are oriented for the passengers to face forward. For example, in a two-row vehicle, both a front row of seats and a rear row of seats face forward with the seat backs of the front row of seats being arranged between those passengers in the front row and those passengers in the rear row. The seat backs of the front row of seats may thereby function as a reaction surface for airbags intended to restrain passengers in the rear row of seats. In a three-row vehicle, each of front, middle, and rear rows of seats face forward with the seat backs of the front row and the middle row being arranged between those passengers in the front and middle rows and between those passengers of the middle and rear rows, respectively. The seat backs of the front row of seats and the middle row of seats may thereby function as reaction surfaces for airbags intended to restrain passengers in the middle and back rows of seats, respectively. 
     In new vehicles, alternative seating arrangements may include seats that are oriented for passengers to face both forward and rearward toward each other. For example, in a two-row vehicle, a front row of seats may face rearward, while a rear row of seats faces forward with a generally open volume between the front and rear passengers. As a result, no seat structure (e.g., no seat back) or other vehicle structure may be arranged between those passengers in the front row and the back row to form a reaction surface. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are implementations of passenger vehicles and restraint systems. 
     In an implementation, a vehicle includes a vehicle body, seats, and a deployable restraint system. The vehicle body includes a floor, a roof, and two sides that cooperatively define a passenger compartment. The seats are positioned in the passenger compartment. At least one of the seats is arranged in a front row and faces rearward. At least one other of the seats is arranged in a rear row and faces forward toward the front row. The deployable restraint system includes a panel and a panel actuator that deploys the panel. The panel extends inboard along the roof when stored. The panel is placed in tension between one of the sides and the roof when deployed by the panel actuator. 
     The panel may, when deployed by the panel actuator, transfer force to and be placed in tension between upper tension locations at the roof and a lower outboard tension location at one of the two sides but not the other of the two sides. The upper tension locations may include an upper inboard tension location that is further from the one of the two sides than the other of the two sides. An upper end of the panel may be fixedly coupled to the roof at the upper tension locations to transfer force thereto. A lower end of the panel may be coupled to a tether that transfers force to the lower outboard tension location. The panel actuator may move the tether to pull the lower end of the panel downward. The deployable restraint system may further include an inflatable cushion and a cushion actuator that deploys the inflatable cushion by inflating the cushion. The inflatable cushion may extend inboard along the roof when stored and/or may be deployed between the panel and a seat back of the at least one seat in the rear row. When both of the panel and the inflatable cushion are deployed, the inflatable cushion may extend below the panel. 
     The vehicle may include another deployable restraint system. The deployable restraint system may be associated with a first seating position of the rear row and the other deployable restraint system may be associated with a second seating position of the rear row. The panels of the deployable restraint system and the other deployable restraint systems may be placed in tension between the roof and different ones of the two sides. 
     The vehicle may further include a restraint control system that includes a motion sensor and a controller. The controller may operate the panel actuator and the cushion actuator according to the motion sensor. The controller may operate the panel actuator before the cushion actuator. 
     The vehicle may further include a seatbelt and a seatbelt actuator that is operated to increase tension in the seatbelt. The controller may further operate the seatbelt actuator according to the motion sensor. 
     The deployable restraint system may further include a second panel actuator that deploys the panel. The panel may be placed in tension between the two sides and the roof when deployed by the panel actuator and the second panel actuator. 
     In an implementation, a deployable restraint system for a passenger vehicle includes a reaction panel, a panel actuator that deploys the reaction panel, a cushion, and a cushion actuator that deploys the cushion. When both the reaction panel and the cushion are deployed, the panel is configured to be placed in tension between a roof and only one of two sides of a passenger vehicle and transfer force from the cushion to the roof and the one of the two sides. 
     The deployable restraint system may further include a controller that operates the panel actuator and the cushion actuator to deploy the reaction panel before deploying the cushion. The cushion may be configured to deploy rearward of the reaction panel relative to a forward direction of travel of the passenger vehicle. A lower end of the reaction panel may be configured to couple to the one of the sides with a tether that is moved by the panel actuator. An upper end of the reaction panel may be configured to fixedly couple to the roof. 
     In an implementation, a method is provided for restraining a passenger in a passenger vehicle. The method generally includes deploying a panel to extend between a roof and a side of a vehicle body of the passenger vehicle and deploying an inflatable cushion between the panel and the passenger to transfer force from the passenger to the panel and, in turn, to the roof and the side of the vehicle body. 
     The deploying of the inflatable cushion may be performed after the deploying of the panel is initiated. The method may further include assessing a seating position of the passenger vehicle and/or assessing motion of the passenger vehicle. The deploying of the panel and the deploying of the inflatable cushion may be performed according to the assessing of the seating position and/or the assessing of the motion of the passenger vehicle. The side may be one of two sides of the vehicle body, and the deploying of the panel may include deploying the panel to extend between the roof and the side but not a second of the two sides. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  is a side view of a passenger compartment of a passenger vehicle. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a cross-sectional view of the passenger compartment of the vehicle taken along line  1 B- 1 B in  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  2 A  is a schematic view of the passenger vehicle and various systems thereof. 
         FIG.  2 B  is a schematic view of a restraint system of the vehicle. 
         FIG.  3 A  is the side view of the passenger compartment of  FIG.  1 A  with deployable restraint systems in deployed states. 
         FIG.  3 B  is the cross-sectional view of the passenger compartment of  FIG.  1 B  with the deployable restraint systems in the deployed states. 
         FIG.  3 C  is the side view of the passenger compartment of  FIG.  1 A  with the deployable restraint systems depicted schematically and in non-deployed states and hidden from view (illustrated as dash-dash and dash-dot lines). 
         FIG.  3 D  is the cross-sectional view of the passenger compartment of  FIG.  1 B  with the deployable restraint systems in the non-deployed states and hidden from view (illustrated as dash-dash and dash-dot lines). 
         FIG.  4 A  is a front schematic view of a reaction panel and actuator of a first embodiment of the deployable restraint system in the non-deployed state (solid lines) and the deployed state (dash-dash and dash-dot lines). 
         FIG.  4 B  is a front schematic view of a reaction panel and actuator of a second embodiment of the deployable restraint system in the non-deployed state (solid lines) and the deployed state (dash-dash and dash-dot lines). 
         FIG.  4 C  is a front schematic view of a reaction panel and actuator of a third embodiment of the deployable restraint system in the non-deployed state (solid lines) and the deployed state (dash-dash and dash-dot lines). 
         FIG.  5    is the cross-sectional view of the passenger compartment of  FIG.  1 A  with another embodiment of the deployable restraint system. 
         FIG.  6    is a flowchart of a method for restraining a passenger. 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic of an example hardware configuration for a controller usable with the deployable restraint systems. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , a passenger vehicle  100  generally includes a vehicle body  110  that defines a passenger compartment  112 . The vehicle body  110  generally includes a floor  114 , a roof  116 , sides  118 , and doors (not shown), which cooperatively define the passenger compartment  112  therebetween. The vehicle body  110  may be structurally configured by way of individual structures of the floor  114 , the roof,  116 , and the sides  118  and cooperative configurations thereof for energy dispersion and to maintain the shape of the passenger compartment  112  in the event of an impact with the vehicle body  110 . 
     The roof  116  generally forms the ceiling of the passenger compartment  112 . The roof  116  may include one or more cross structures  116   a  that extend laterally across the vehicle body  110  (i.e., in an inboard-outboard direction), which are configured to substantially maintain the shape of the passenger compartment  112  during normal usage (e.g., providing torsional rigidity to the vehicle body  110 ) and impact events (e.g., rollovers). For example, as shown, the roof  116  may include front, rear, and two middle ones of the cross structures  116   a . The roof  116  may be entirely opaque or may include transparent portions (e.g., windows) arranged between the cross structures  116   a . To distinguish between different ones of the cross structures  116   a , the cross structures  116   a  may be identified according to position (e.g., a front cross structure) and/or numerically (e.g., a first cross structure or a first middle cross structure). 
     As used herein, the directional terms “forward,” “front,” or similar refer to a primary direction of travel of the passenger vehicle  100 . The directional terms “rearward,” “rear,” or similar refer to a secondary direction of travel of the passenger vehicle  100 . 
     The sides  118  generally include left and right sides of the vehicle body  110 . The sides  118  extend downward from the roof  116  to the floor  114  or other lower structure to support the roof  116  above the floor  114 . The sides  118  may, for example, include lower opaque portions that include various structures for energy dispersion during impacts and may also include upper transparent portions (e.g., windows) that allow passengers to view outside the passenger compartment  112 . The sides  118  may further include one or more pillar structures  118   a , which are structures that are upwardly elongated and extend to the roof  116 , for example, at corresponding locations to the cross structures  116   a  thereof. Between the pillar structures  118   a  may be positioned one or more doors (not labeled) that allow passengers to enter into and exit from the passenger compartment. Furthermore, the upper transparent portions (e.g., windows) may be arranged between the pillar structures  118   a . As shown, each of the sides  118  may generally include front, rear, and two middle ones of the pillar structures  118   a . As with the cross structures  116   a  of the roof  116 , to distinguish between different ones of the pillar structures  118   a , the pillar structures  118   a  may be identified according to position (e.g., a front pillar structure) and/or numerically (e.g., a first pillar structure or a first middle pillar structure). The pillar structures  118   a  may also be referred to as pillars or upright structures. 
     The passenger vehicle  100  further includes seats  120  positioned in the passenger compartment  112  of the vehicle body  110 . For example, the passenger vehicle  100  may include one or more of the seats  120  in each of a front row  120 F and a rear row  120 R. Each of the seats  120  includes a seat bottom  122  and a seat back  124 . Each of the seats  120  may be configured to provide one seating position for one passenger (e.g., being a bucket seat) or may be configured to provide multiple seating positions adjacent to each other (e.g., being bench seats). For example, the passenger vehicle  100  may include two front bucket seats (each providing one seating position) and one rear bench seat (e.g., providing three seating positions). At each seating position, the passenger vehicle  100  further includes a seatbelt restraint (discussed below). To distinguish between different ones of the seats  120 , the seats  120  may be identified positionally (e.g., a front seat or a front right seat) and/or numerically (e.g., a first seat or a first rear seat). 
     The seats  120  are configured, or are reconfigurable, for the passengers to face each other. As shown, the seats  120  in the front row  120 F, and the passengers seated thereon, face rearward toward the rear row  120 R of the seats  120 . The seats  120  in the rear row  120 R and the passengers seated thereon, face forward toward the front row  120 F of the seats  120 . As a result, the passengers seated in each of the seats  120  of the front row  120 F and rear row  120 R are positioned between the seat backs  124  of the seats  120  of both the front row  120 F and the rear row  120 R, while no seatbacks are positioned between the passengers. Those seats  120  facing rearward (e.g., in the front row  120 F) may also be referred to as rear-facing seats, while those seats  120  facing forward (e.g., in the rear row  120 R) may also be referred to as forward-facing seats. 
     Referring additionally to  FIG.  2 A , the passenger vehicle  100  additionally includes systems and components for traversing the passenger vehicle  100  along a roadway. For example, the passenger vehicle  100  includes a drive system  202  for propelling the passenger vehicle  100  (e.g., batteries, motors, gearboxes, drivelines, and wheels), a steering system  204  (e.g., motors and steering gears for pivoting the wheels), a braking system  206  (e.g., friction brakes for slowing rotation of the wheels), a control system  208  (i.e., for operating the drive system  202 , the steering system  204 , and the braking system  206 ), and an active restraint system  224 , which are operatively coupled to the vehicle body  110 . In a preferred example, the passenger vehicle  100  is configured as an autonomous vehicle by which the control system operates the drive system  202 , the steering system  204 , and the braking system  206  to traverse roadways with the passenger vehicle  100  and avoid obstacles between origins and destinations as requested by passengers without direct control thereof by the passenger. In such case, the control system  208  includes various sensors for observing the environment (e.g., cameras, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, and/or radar sensors), for locating the passenger vehicle  100  in real space (e.g., global positioning or other navigation systems, along with the environmental sensors), and for detecting motion of the passenger vehicle  100  (e.g., gyroscopes and/or accelerometers). 
     Referring to  FIG.  2 B , the active restraint system  224  generally includes a restraint control system  226  and one or more deployable restraint systems  230 . Each of the one or more deployable restraint systems  230  is associated with one of the seats  120 , or seating positions thereon, to restrain a passenger therein. For example, one or more of the deployable restraint systems  230  (e.g., two) may be associated with the seat  120  in the rear row  120 R, as discussed in detail below, to restrain the passengers in left and right seating positions. However, it should be understood that one or more of the deployable restraint systems  230  may or may not be associated with those seating positions in the front row  120 F. The active restraint system  224  may also be considered to include a seatbelt system  280  associated with each of the seating positions, which includes a seatbelt  282  and a seatbelt actuator  284 . The seatbelt actuator  284  is a pretensioning device, which, when controlled by the restraint control system  226 , increases tension in the seatbelt  282  to limit motion of the passenger. The seatbelt actuator  284  may, for example, be a motor-operated retractor (e.g., capable of multiple uses) or a pyrotechnic or spring-operated device (e.g., capable of a single use). 
     Each of the deployable restraint systems  230  generally includes a reaction panel  240  and an inflatable cushion  250 , along with a panel actuator  260  for deploying the reaction panel  240  and a cushion actuator  270  for deploying the inflatable cushion  250 . When the deployable restraint system  230  is deployed, the reaction panel  240  forms a reaction surface for the inflatable cushion  250 . More particularly, the reaction panel  240  is deployed and placed in tension between the roof  116  and one of the sides  118 , while the inflatable cushion  250  is deployed and inflated between the reaction panel  240  and the passenger. As the passenger and the inflatable cushion  250  impact each other, force is transferred to the reaction panel  240  by the inflatable cushion  250  and, in turn, to the roof  116  and the side  118  of the vehicle body  110  of the passenger vehicle  100 . The deployable restraint system  230  thereby restrains the passenger in the seat  120 . To distinguish between the one or more deployable restraint systems  230  and components thereof, such systems and components may be identified numerically (e.g., a first deployable restraint system or a first reaction panel) and/or positionally (e.g., a rear, left deployable restraint system or a rear, left reaction panel). The reaction panel  240  may also be referred to as a panel, sail panel, or flexible panel. The inflatable cushion  250  may also be referred to as cushion or an airbag. 
     The restraint control system  226  generally includes one or more motion sensors  226   a  and a controller  226   b  in communication with the one or more motion sensors  226   a , as well as the panel actuator  260  and the cushion actuator  270  of the deployable restraint system  230 . Upon detection of motion with the motion sensors  226   a  indicative of an impact, or other high-acceleration event of the passenger vehicle  100 , the controller  226   b  operates the panel actuator  260  to deploy the reaction panel  240  and the cushion actuator  270  to deploy the inflatable cushion  250 . The one or more motion sensors  226   a  may, for example, include one or more accelerometers. The one or more motion sensors  226   a  may be the same or otherwise used with the control system  208 , as described previously. 
     The restraint control system  226  may further include one or more passenger sensors  226   c  in communication with the controller  226   b , which are configured to detect, classify, and/or identify passengers in the one or more seats  120 . For example, the controller  226   b  may not operate one or more of the deployable restraint systems  230  if no passenger is detected in the seat  120  associated with the deployable restraint system  230  or if the passenger is detected or otherwise identified as being below a size threshold (e.g., below the weight and/or height of a 5th percentile adult) and/or being out of a suitable position for deployment. The one or more passenger sensors  226   c  may, for example, include cameras and machine vision programming or pressure sensors. The restraint control system  226  may be considered part of the control system  208 . 
     An exemplary hardware configuration for the controller  226   b  is discussed in further detail below with respect to  FIG.  7   . 
     The reaction panel  240  is shown as a flexible panel formed, for example, of material also used for airbag cushions, such as a woven nylon material. The reaction panel  240  is not inflatable. When deployed, the reaction panel  240  forms a reaction surface for the inflatable cushion  250 . In the deployed state, reaction panel  240  extends between the roof  116  of the vehicle body  110  and the side  118  of the vehicle body  110 . The reaction panel  240  extends downward from the roof  116  of the vehicle body  110 . The reaction panel  240  may also extend inward from the side  118  of the vehicle body  110 . When deployed and/or impacted, such as with the inflatable cushion  250 , the reaction panel  240  may be in tension between the roof  116  and the side  118  of the vehicle body  110 , thereby transferring force to the roof  116  and the side  118 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , an upper end  342  of the reaction panel  240  is placed in tension at the roof  116  at one or more tension locations there along. A tension location is a location of the vehicle body  110  at which the reaction panel  240  transfers force to the vehicle body  110  and is thereby placed in tension. Thus, the reaction panel  240  may further be considered to be placed in tension by the tension locations and/or that portion of the vehicle body  110  at which the tension location is located (e.g., the reaction panel  240  may be placed in tension by and between the tension locations and/or the roof  116  and the side  118  of the vehicle body  110 ). Tension locations may include those locations at which the reaction panel  240  is fixedly (e.g., immovably) coupled to the vehicle body  110  (e.g., to the roof  116 , such as the cross structure  116   a  thereof), or those locations toward which the reaction panel  240  is pulled (e.g., the side  118 ). The tension locations of the upper end  342  of the reaction panel  240  include an upper inboard tension location  316   b , which is an upper tension location furthest from the side  118  of the vehicle body  110  that forms a lower outboard tension location  318   b  (discussed below). The upper end  342  of the reaction panel  240  may be fixedly coupled to the roof  116  at the upper inboard tension location  316   b . Upper tension locations may include additional locations at which the upper end  342  of the reaction panel  240  transfers force to (e.g., if fixedly coupled to) the roof  116  between the upper inboard tension location  316   b  and the side  118  that forms the lower outboard tension location  318   b.    
     The upper inboard tension location  316   b  may, for example, be positioned at or laterally beyond a mid-point of the roof  116  (e.g., closer to the other one of the sides  118 ). For example, the upper inboard tension location  316   b  may be at 50%, 60%, 70%, or more of a maximum width of the passenger vehicle  100  inward from the side  118  forming the lower outboard tension location  318   b . The upper inboard tension location  316   b  may also be arranged forward of the seat back  124  of the seat  120  associated with the deployable restraint system  230 , for example, approximately at a forward edge  322   a  thereof (e.g., within 300 mm), forward of the forward edge  322   a  and approximately or substantially at the forward edge  322   a , or rearward of the forward edge  322   a  and approximately or substantially at the forward edge  322   a . The forward edge  322   a  may be a forwardmost surface of the seat bottom  122 . 
     In the case of the active restraint system  224  including two of the deployable restraint systems  230 , each being associated with one of the seats  120  or one of multiple seating positions in the rear row  120 R, the upper inboard tension location  316   b  may be nearer to that side  118  of the vehicle body  110  opposite the seating location (i.e., that side not forming the lower outboard tension location  318   b ). As a result, when deployed, the reaction panels  240  of the two deployable restraint systems  230  may overlap in the lateral direction (i.e., inboard-outboard direction; underlying portions depicted in dashed lines). Furthermore, to accommodate the overlap of the reaction panels  240 , the upper inboard tension location  316   b  of one of the deployable restraint systems  230  may be positioned forward of the upper inboard tension location  316   b  of the other of the deployable restraint systems  230 . In the case of the rear row  120 R including one or more of the seats  120  that cooperatively provide three seating positions in the rear row  120 R (e.g., left, middle, and right seating positions), the active restraint system  224  may include two of the deployable restraint systems  230 , one associated with each of the left and right seating positions but not one associated with the middle seating position. 
     A lower end  344  of the reaction panel  240  is coupled to or otherwise put in tension with the side  118  of the vehicle body  110 . More particularly, when deployed, the reaction panel  240  is placed in tension between a lower outboard tension location  318   b  on the side  118  of the vehicle body  110 , the upper inboard tension location  316   b , and other tension locations at which the upper end  342  of the reaction panel  240  is coupled to the roof  116  and/or the side  118 . For example, as shown, a tether  346  (e.g., a strap) is coupled to and extends from the lower end  344  of the reaction panel  240  to the lower outboard tension location  318   b  on the side  118  of the vehicle body  110 . During deployment, the panel actuator  260  pulls the tether  346 , so as to draw the lower end  344  of the reaction panel  240  downward and toward the lower outboard tension location  318   b . Deployment and the panel actuator  260  are discussed in further detail below with respect to  FIGS.  4 A to  4 C . The tether  346  may be made from the same material as the reaction panel  240  or another material that may have different material properties, for example, being less extensible in tension (e.g., a higher denier nylon material). 
     The lower outboard tension location  318   b  may, for example, be positioned approximately at a height of the seat bottom  122  of the seat  120  nearest thereto (e.g., within 300 mm thereof), substantially at the height of the seat bottom  122  (e.g., within 100 mm thereof), above the seat bottom  122  and approximately or substantially at the height of the seat bottom  122 , or below the seat bottom  122  and approximately or substantially at the height of the seat bottom  122 . The height of the seat bottom  122  may be a maximum height of the seat bottom  122  at a location moving directly inboard from the side  118 , a maximum height of the seat bottom  122  at an edge furthest from the seat back  124  (e.g., the forward edge  322   a  of the seat bottom  122  of the seat  120  in the rear row  120 R), or an overall maximum height of the seat bottom  122 . The lower outboard tension location  318   b  may also be arranged forward of the seat back  124  of the seat  120  associated with the deployable restraint system  230 , for example, approximately at the forward edge  322   a  thereof (e.g., within 300 mm), substantially at the forward edge  322   a  thereof (e.g., within 300 mm thereof), forward of the forward edge  322   a  and approximately or substantially at the forward edge  322   a , or rearward of the forward edge  322   a  and approximately or substantially at the forward edge  322   a.    
     Referring additionally to  FIGS.  3 C- 3 D , prior to deployment, the reaction panel  240  (including the tether  246  thereof) is hidden from view, for example, behind trim panels or other covers associated with the roof  116  (e.g., the cross structure  116   a ) and/or one of the sides  118  (e.g., a middle one of the pillar structures  118   a ). For example, when stored, the reaction panel  240  may be folded (e.g., pleated) and/or rolled to be in a compact elongated form that extends laterally at least partially across the roof  116  (e.g., along the cross structure  116   a ). When stored, the reaction panel  240  may further extend downward from the roof  116  partially along the side  118  (e.g., along the pillar structure  118   a ). In  FIGS.  3 C and  3 D , the reaction panels  240  (including the tethers  246 ) are illustrated schematically in heavy broken lines. The inflatable cushions  250  are omitted for clarity but may be positioned rearward of the reaction panel  240  of the deployable restraint system  230  associated with the same seating position. 
     During deployment, the reaction panel  240  is pulled downward to be placed in tension between the upper inboard tension location  316   b  along the roof  116  of the vehicle body  110 , any other upper tension locations, and the lower outboard tension location  318   b  along the side  118  of the vehicle body  110  by the panel actuator  260 . The panel actuator  260  may be any suitable actuator configured to pull or otherwise move the tether  346  to pull the lower end  344  of the reaction panel  240  downward in a rapid manner to be in tension with the lower outboard tension location  318   b.    
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 A to  4 C , when the panel actuator  260  is operated, the lower end  344  of the reaction panel  240  is pulled downward, being removed from its stored position and state, and pulled into tension between the upper inboard tension location  316   b  and the lower outboard tension location  318   b . The action of pulling the reaction panel  240  may function to break or otherwise move any trim panel or other covering that might be positioned over the reaction panel  240  and/or the inflatable cushion  250  when stored. In each of  FIGS.  4 A to  4 C , the reaction panel  240  and the tether  346  are shown in thick solid lines in the stored position and in thick dash-dash and dash-dot lines, respectively, in the deployed positions. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , the panel actuator  260  is a linear actuator that moves the tether  346 , so as to pull the reaction panel  240  downward into tension at the lower outboard tension location  318   b . When configured as a linear actuator, the panel actuator  260  may, for example, include a piston in a cylinder or other sliding device (e.g., runner in a track) operated with pyrotechnics, compressed gas, or a spring. For example, as shown in  FIG.  4 A , a distal end of the slide mechanism may be fixedly coupled to an end of the tether  346  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  3 A ) that pulls the end of the tether  346  to the lower outboard tension location  318   b . In another example, as shown in  FIG.  4 B , the end of the tether  346  is fixedly coupled to the vehicle body  110  (e.g., the side  118 ) and the distal end of the panel actuator  260  (e.g., having a pulley, not shown) engages and draws an intermediate portion of the tether  346  to the lower outboard tension location  318   b . Referring to  FIG.  4 C , the panel actuator  260  may be a rotary actuator that winds the tether  346  thereabout. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  3 A to  3 B , the inflatable cushion  250  includes one or more flexible panels that cooperatively define a chamber that is inflated by the cushion actuator  270 . The panels of the inflatable cushion  250  may, for example, be formed of conventional material used for airbag cushions, such as a woven nylon material. 
     When deployed, the inflatable cushion  250  is inflated between the reaction panel  240  and the seat back  124  of the seat  120  associated with the deployable restraint system  230  and between the reaction panel  240  and a passenger seated on the seat  120  associated with the deployable restraint system  230 . When inflated and/or impacted by the passenger, the inflatable cushion  250  transfers force to the reaction panel  240  that in turn transfers force to the upper inboard tension location  316   b  and any other tension locations of the roof  116  and the lower outboard tension location  318   b  of the side  118  of the vehicle body  110 . As this force is transferred, the reaction panel  240  is placed in greater tension between the upper inboard tension location  316   b  and the lower outboard tension location  318   b.    
     The inflatable cushion  250  may deploy substantially downward from the roof  116  (e.g., from the cross structure  116   a ). For example, an upper end (not labeled) of the inflatable cushion  250  may be fixedly coupled to the roof  116  at upper locations there along (not labeled), which may be positioned toward the seat back  124  (e.g., rearward in the case of the seats  120  in the rear row  120 R) relative to the upper tension locations of the reaction panel  240 . When the inflatable cushion  250  is deployed, a passenger-side surface of the airbag (not labeled; e.g., rearward, as shown) is positioned in a fore-aft position directly above the seat bottom  122 . As alternatives to being stored in the roof  116  and deploying downward therefrom, the inflatable cushion  250  may instead be stored in and deploy laterally inward from the side  118  (e.g., the pillar structure  118   a  nearest the seating location), or may be stored in and deployed from the seat  120  (e.g., in the seat back  124  and deploying forward and around the passenger, or in an armrest of the seat  120  and deploying forward of and across the passenger). 
     In the case of the two deployable restraint systems  230  being associated with the seating positions in a common row (e.g., the rear row  120 R), the inflatable cushions  250 , when both stored and deployed, do not laterally overlap (i.e., in the inboard-outboard direction) but may be positioned adjacent each other and/or laterally spaced apart from each other. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3 B , when deployed, the inflatable cushion  250  may extend below, inboard of, and/or outboard of ends or edges of the reaction panel  240 . Alternatively, when deployed, the inflatable cushion  250  may not extend any one or more of below, inboard of, and/or outboard of ends or edges of the reaction panel  240  (e.g., being entirely covered by the reaction panel  240 ). 
     Prior to deployment, the inflatable cushion  250  is hidden from view, for example, behind trim panels or other covers associated with the roof  116  (e.g., the cross structure  116   a ) and/or one of the sides  118  (e.g., a middle one of the pillar structures  118   a ), such as those same covers or trim panels that hide the reaction panel  240  from view. When stored, the inflatable cushion  250  may be folded (e.g., pleated) and/or rolled to be in a compact elongated form that extends laterally at least partially across the roof  116 , for example, being positioned rearward of the reaction panel  240 . 
     The cushion actuator  270  may be any suitable inflator device, such as a pyrotechnic, that deploys the inflatable cushion  250  by inflating the the inflatable cushion  250  with a gas. 
     In operation, the restraint control system  226  is configured to deploy the reaction panel  240  prior to the inflatable cushion  250 , such that the reaction panel  240  is in position to transfer force from the inflatable cushion  250  to the roof  116  and the side  118  of the vehicle body  110  to restrain the passenger during a high acceleration or deceleration event. 
     In a variation, the deployable restraint system  230  includes the reaction panel  240  and the panel actuator  260  associated therewith but does not include the inflatable cushion  250  or the cushion actuator  270 . In such case, the reaction panel  240  and the panel actuator  260 , respectively, may instead be referred to as a sail panel or restraint panel and a sail panel actuator or restraint panel actuator. In such case, the sail panel may itself function primarily as a restraint to loose objects (e.g., bags or other possessions of passengers) that might otherwise fly through the passenger compartment  112  (e.g., from the rear row  120 R of the seats  120  to the front row  120 F during a high acceleration or deceleration event). 
     Alternatively, the deployable restraint system  230  may include the reaction panel  240 , the panel actuator  260 , the inflatable cushion  250 , and the cushion actuator  270 , and in some circumstances deploy both the reaction panel  240  and the inflatable cushion  250  and in other circumstances deploy only the reaction panel  240  (e.g., to itself function as a restraint) but not the inflatable cushion  250 . For example, the restraint control system  226  may determine to deploy only the reaction panel  240  if objects but no passenger are detected in the seating position, if a passenger is detected but is out of suitable position for the inflatable cushion  250  to be deployed, if a smaller passenger (e.g., shorter and/or lighter than a 5th percentile adult) is detected, or if a child seat is detected or otherwise known or determined to be in the seating position. 
     In another variation illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the deployable restraint system  230  includes a sail panel  540  that is placed in tension between the roof  116  and the two sides  118  opposite each other. When deployed, the sail panel  540  is placed in tension with an upper end  542  thereof at multiple upper tension locations  516   c  along the roof  116  (e.g., the roof cross structure  116   a  extending across the width of the passenger compartment  112 ) and a lower end  544  thereof at lower outer tension locations  518   c  on the two sides  118  of the vehicle body  110 . The deployable restraint system  230  includes two of the panel actuators  560  (depicted schematically), one for each of the sides  118  of the vehicle body  110 . Each of the panel actuators  560  may be configured as described previously for the panel actuator  260 . In the non-deployed state, the sail panel  540  may be stored in compact manner along the roof  116 . The lower end  544  of the sail panel  540  may be coupled directly to the panel actuators  560  or indirectly via tethers (not shown; see tether  346  described previously). Use of the sail panel  540  may be advantageous for those passenger vehicles  100  with the vehicle body  110  having cross structures  116   a  and/or pillar structures  118   a  that are positioned only long distances from the seats  120  (e.g., if having only one middle ones of the cross structure  116   a  and/or the pillar structures  118   a  between the front row  120 F and the rear row  120 R of the seats  120 ). 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , a method  600  is provided for restraining a passenger in a passenger vehicle. The method  600  generally includes assessing  610  a seating location, assessing  620  motion of the passenger vehicle, deploying  630  a reaction panel, and deploying  640  an inflatable cushion. The method  600  may further include tightening  650  a seatbelt. 
     The assessing  610  of the seating location includes assessing with a sensor and a controller, such as the passenger sensor  226   c  and the controller  226   b , the seating location, for example, to determine whether the seating location is occupied with a passenger, to classify the passenger (e.g., size and/or position), and/or to determine or identify other seat-related criteria according to which the reaction panel, the inflatable cushion, and/or the seatbelt are operated. 
     The assessing  620  of the motion of the vehicle includes assessing with a sensor and a controller, such as the motion sensor  226   a  and the controller  226   b , motion of the vehicle, for example, to determine whether the motion satisfies motion criteria indicating a high acceleration event. The assessing  620  of the motion of the vehicle may be performed contemporaneously or after the assessing  610  of the seating location. 
     The deploying  630  of the reaction panel includes deploying a reaction panel, such as the reaction panel  240  with the panel actuator  260 . Upon deployment, the reaction panel may be placed in tension between one or more upper tension locations along a roof of the passenger vehicle and a lower outboard tension location along a side of the passenger vehicle. The deploying  630  is performed upon satisfying the seat-related criteria and the motion criteria. 
     The deploying  640  of the inflatable cushion includes inflating an inflatable cushion, such as the inflatable cushion  250 , with the cushion actuator  270 . The inflatable cushion is deployed between the reaction panel and a seat back of a forward-facing seat. The deploying  640  is performed upon satisfying the seat-related criteria and the motion criteria and after the deploying  630  of the reaction panel is initiated. 
     The tightening  650  of the seatbelt includes tightening a seatbelt, such as the seatbelt  282 , with the seatbelt actuator  284 . The tightening  650  is performed upon satisfying the seat-related criteria and motion criteria but which may have a lower threshold than for the deploying  630  of the reaction panel or the deploying  640  of the inflatable cushion. The tightening  650  of the seatbelt may be performed before or contemporaneous with the deploying  630  of the reaction panel and/or the deploying  640  of the inflatable cushion. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , an example hardware configuration is depicted and described for a controller  700  (e.g., the controller  226   b  or controller of the control system  208 ) used for implementing the systems and methods described herein. The controller  700  is a computing device or system, which may generally include a processor  710 , a memory  712 , a storage  714 , a communications interface  716 , and a bus  718  by which the other components are in communication with each other. The processor  710  may be any suitable processor, such as a central processing unit, capable of executing instructions. The memory  712  is a high speed, volatile memory device, such as a random-access memory (RAM) module. The storage  714  is a non-volatile storage device capable of storing instructions and other information executed and otherwise used by the processor  710  (e.g., software programming), such as solid-state memory. The communications interface  716  is capable of receiving signals from and sending signals to various components, such as the various sensors and/or actuators described herein. While one example hardware configuration is disclosed, it should be understood that the controllers used to implement the systems and methods described herein may be of any suitable configuration. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from various sources to restrain passengers in vehicles. 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 ID&#39;s, 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 such 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 determine whether to deploy the restraints described herein. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. 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 identifying passengers according to which deployment of the restraints is determined, 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 also 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, operation of restraints may be based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as the content being requested by the device associated with a user, or other non-personal information.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20211213
Publication Date: 20230523
Grant Date: 20230523
Priority Date: 20210205
Inventors: WOLF, PHILIPP J.
BUEHLER, JESSE T.
GOLMAN, ADAM J.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B60R21/013", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2021/23161", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2021/01265", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/01", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/232", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/214", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/2338", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2022/4808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R22/48", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2021/01265", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2022/4808", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/232", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/01", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/013", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/2338", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/214", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2021/23161", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R22/48", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/08", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/231", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2021/23161", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/2338", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2021/23388", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/214", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R21/013", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2021/01265", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 86385174