Vehicle airbag system with variable deployment
A safety system for an occupant of a vehicle includes an airbag selectably inflatable by an inflator operably connected to the airbag, one or more deployment mechanisms operably connected to the airbag to control deployment of the airbag, and a controller operably connected to the one or more deployment mechanisms. The controller is configured to modify operation of the one or more deployment mechanisms as a result of detecting one or more characteristics of the occupant. A method of operating a safety system for vehicle occupant includes detecting one or more characteristics of an occupant of a seat of the vehicle, adjusting one or more deployment mechanisms of the safety system as a result of the one or more characteristics, and deploying an airbag operably connected to the one or more deployment mechanisms. Adjustment of the one or more deployment mechanisms modifies deployment of the airbag.
1 . A safety system for an occupant of a vehicle, comprising:
an airbag selectably inflatable by an inflator operably connected to the airbag;
one or more deployment mechanisms operably connected to the airbag to control deployment of the airbag; and
a controller operably connected to the one or more deployment mechanisms;
wherein the controller is configured to modify operation of the one or more deployment mechanisms as a result of detecting one or more characteristics of the occupant;
wherein the one or more deployment mechanisms includes one or more tethers having an adjustable tether length;
wherein adjusting the tether length modifies one or more of a shape, a size or a position of the airbag upon inflation of the airbag;
wherein the airbag is toroidal in shape; and
wherein the one or more tethers extend in a circumferential direction along the toroidal shape of the airbag.
2 . The safety system of claim 1 , wherein the airbag is deployed from one of a seat back, a floor, a roof, a side pillar or a center console of the vehicle.
3 . A vehicle, comprising:
a vehicle body defining an occupant compartment;
two or more rows of seats disposed in the occupant compartment, the two or more rows of seats including a first seat row and a second seat row; and
a safety system for an occupant of a seat of the two or more rows of seats of the vehicle, including:
an airbag selectably inflatable by an inflator operably connected to the airbag;
one or more deployment mechanisms operably connected to the airbag to control deployment of the airbag; and
a controller operably connected to the one or more deployment mechanisms;
wherein the controller is configured to modify operation of the one or more deployment mechanisms as a result of detecting one or more characteristics of the occupant;
wherein the one or more deployment mechanisms includes one or more tethers having an adjustable tether length;
wherein adjusting the tether length modifies one or more of a shape, a size or a position of the airbag upon inflation of the airbag;
wherein the airbag is toroidal in shape; and
wherein the one or more tethers extend in a circumferential direction along the toroidal shape of the airbag.
4 . The vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the airbag is deployed from one of a seat back of the first seat row, a floor, a roof, a side pillar or a center console of the vehicle.