Dynamic antiwhiplash apparatus and method

• US 8,534,703 B1
• Filed: 03/09/2012
• Issued: 09/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tesla Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tesla Motors Incorporated (Tesla Inc.)
• Inventors: Baldwin, Michael John
• Primary Examiner(s): TO, TOAN C
• Application Number:
  US13/417,195
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.1, 280/730.2, 297/216.12, 297/216.13, 297/216.14
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4228 due to impact coming from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42709 involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42745 of the back-rest B60N2/433 takes precedence; higher part of the back-rest moving together with the headrest B60N2/888
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2074 in head rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26005 the inflation fluid being transferred to the inflatable member by the mechanical deformation of the fluid container during an impact

Abstract

A passenger seat protection system for a seated passenger of a vehicle includes a seat back supporting a pressurizable vessel storing a quantity of pressurized gas within a compartment, the compartment defined by one or more walls that collapse responsive to a force applied to the seat back by the seated passenger in a rear impact of the vehicle; a headrest including a bladder responsive to a gas pressure from the quantity of pressurized gas to transition an expansion of the headrest from a first expansion mode to a second expansion mode; and a gas channel communicating the quantity of pressurized gas to the bladder after a collapsing of the one or more walls.

Claims

1. A passenger seat protection system for a seated passenger of a vehicle, comprising:

a seat back supporting a pressurizable vessel storing a quantity of pressurized gas within a compartment, said compartment defined by one or more walls that collapse responsive to a force applied to said seat back by the seated passenger in a rear impact of the vehicle;

a headrest including a bladder responsive to a gas pressure from said quantity of pressurized gas to transition an expansion of said headrest from a first expansion mode to a second expansion mode; and

a gas channel communicating said quantity of pressurized gas to said bladder after a collapse of said one or more walls.

2. The passenger seat protection system of claim 1 wherein said bladder is furlable and unfurlable with said bladder furled when transitioning to said first expansion mode and said bladder unfurled in response to said gas pressure when transitioning to said second expansion mode from said first expansion mode.

3. The passenger seat protection system of claim 1 wherein said gas channel includes a valve disposed between said compartment and said bladder, said breach valve rupturing in response to said quantity of pressurized gas communicated to said gas channel.

4. The passenger seat protection system of claim 2 wherein said gas channel includes a valve disposed between said compartment and said bladder, said breach valve rupturing in response to said quantity of pressurized gas communicated to said gas channel.

5. The passenger seat protection system of claim 1 wherein said headrest is independently moveable with respect to said seat back and wherein said gas communication channel includes a telescoping channel providing a height adjustment to said headset with respect to a top of said seat back.

6. The passenger seat protection system of claim 2 wherein said headrest is independently moveable with respect to said seat back and wherein said gas communication channel includes a telescoping channel providing a height adjustment to said headset with respect to a top of said seat back.

7. The passenger seat protection system of claim 4 wherein said headrest is independently moveable with respect to said seat back and wherein said gas communication channel includes a telescoping channel providing a height adjustment to said headset with respect to a top of said seat back.

8. The passenger seat protection system of claim 1 further comprising a charging valve communicated to said compartment through said seat back to increase said quantity of pressurized gas.

9. The passenger seat protection system of claim 4 further comprising a charging valve communicated to said compartment through said seat back to increase said quantity of pressurized gas.

10. A passenger seat protection system for a seated passenger of a vehicle, comprising:

a seat back supporting a pressurizable vessel storing a quantity of pressurized fluid within a compartment, said compartment defined by one or more walls that collapse responsive to a force applied to said seat back by the seated passenger in a rear impact of the vehicle;

a headrest including a bladder responsive to a gas pressure from said quantity of pressurized fluid to transition an expansion of said headrest from a first expansion mode to a second expansion mode; and

a fluid channel communicating said quantity of pressurized fluid to said bladder after a collapse of said one or more walls.

11. A passenger protection method for a seated passenger of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

a) collapsing a compartment in a pressurizable vessel supported by a seat back responsive to a force applied to said seat back by the seated passenger in a rear impact of the vehicle wherein said compartment includes a quantity of pressurized gas;

thereafter

b) communicating said quantity of pressurized gas to a bladder disposed in a headrest coupled to said seat back; and

thereafter

c) expanding said bladder responsive to said quantity of pressurized gas communicated from said collapsed compartment.

12. The passenger protection method of claim 11 wherein said bladder disposed within said headrest is furlable and unfurlable and wherein said expanding step c) includes unfurling said bladder responsive to said quantity of pressurized gas communicated from said collapsed compartment.

13. The passenger protection method of claim 11 wherein said communicating step b) includes communication through a gas channel coupling said compartment to said bladder, wherein said quantity of pressurized gas exerts a first pressure in said gas channel when said compartment is uncollapsed and exerts a second pressure in said gas channel as said compartment is collapsed, said second pressure greater than said first pressure, and wherein said gas channel includes a valve that is closed in response to said first pressure and that is open in response to said second pressure.