阅读说明：本技术 车辆安全气囊 (Vehicle safety air bag ) 是由 高祯彦 罗伯特·威廉·麦科伊 赛义德·大卫·巴尔巴特 陈辉鹏 于 2019-08-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开提供了“车辆安全气囊”。一种组件,包括中央控制台,所述中央控制台沿着纵向轴线伸长并且具有第一侧面和第二侧面,所述第一侧面和第二侧面沿着垂直于所述纵向轴线的横向轴线彼此间隔开。所述组件包括安全气囊,所述安全气囊由所述中央控制台支撑并且可充气到膨胀位置,在所述膨胀位置处所述安全气囊沿着所述第一侧面延伸到所述中央控制台上方并且沿着所述横向轴线朝向所述第二侧面延伸。(The present disclosure provides a "vehicle airbag". An assembly includes a center console that is elongated along a longitudinal axis and has first and second sides that are spaced apart from each other along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the center console and inflatable to an expanded position in which the airbag extends along the first side to above the center console and along the lateral axis toward the second side.)

1. An assembly, comprising:

a center console elongated along a longitudinal axis and having first and second sides spaced apart from each other along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and

an airbag supported by the center console and inflatable to an expanded position in which the airbag extends along the first side to above the center console and along the lateral axis toward the second side.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the center console includes a top surface and the airbag in the inflated position abuts the top surface.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the center console includes a cover, and the airbag in the inflated position abuts the cover.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first side includes an outer surface and the airbag in the inflated position abuts the outer surface.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag in the inflated position extends beyond the second side along the transverse axis.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the center console includes a storage compartment and a trim panel at the first side, the airbag being supported between the storage compartment and the trim panel.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag in the inflated position includes a bottom portion extending along the first side and a top portion extending above the center console along the lateral axis, the bottom portion and the top portion being rectangular in cross-section along the lateral axis.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag includes an internal tether extending along the transverse axis.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag includes an internal tether extending along a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis.

10. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a second airbag supported by the center console and inflatable to an expanded position in which the second airbag extends along the second side above the center console and along the lateral axis toward the first side.

11. A vehicle, comprising:

a center console having first and second sides spaced apart from each other along a vehicle lateral axis;

a seat; and

an airbag supported by the center console and inflatable to an expanded position in which the airbag extends upwardly between the first side and the seat and toward the second side along the vehicle lateral axis.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the seat includes a seat back and the airbag in the inflated position extends to the seat back.

13. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the center console includes a storage compartment and the airbag is supported between the storage compartment and the seat.

14. The vehicle of any of claims 11-13, further comprising: a second seat spaced from the seat along the vehicle lateral axis; and a second airbag supported by the center console and inflatable to an inflated position in which the second airbag extends upwardly between the second side and the second seat and extends toward the first side along the vehicle lateral axis.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, further comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to: inflating the airbag and refraining from inflating the second airbag based on the detected direction of the vehicle collision.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle airbags.

Background

Vehicles may include one or more airbags that may be deployed during a vehicle collision to control the movement of occupants within the vehicle during the collision. The airbag may be a component of an airbag assembly that includes a housing that supports the airbag, and an inflator in communication with the airbag to inflate the airbag from an unexpanded position to an expanded position.

Disclosure of Invention

An assembly includes a center console that is elongated along a longitudinal axis and has first and second sides that are spaced apart from each other along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the center console and inflatable to an expanded position in which the airbag extends along the first side to above the center console and along the lateral axis toward the second side.

The center console may include a top surface, and the airbag in the inflated position may abut the top surface.

The center console may include a cover, and the airbag in the inflated position may abut the cover.

The first side may include an outer surface, and the airbag in the inflated position may abut the outer surface.

The airbag in the inflated position may extend beyond the second side along the lateral axis.

The center console may include a storage compartment (bin) and a trim panel at the first side, the airbag being supported between the storage compartment and the trim panel.

The airbag in the inflated position may include a bottom portion extending along a first side and a top portion extending above the center console along a lateral axis, the bottom portion and the top portion being rectangular in cross-section along the lateral axis.

The airbag may include an internal tether extending along a transverse axis.

The airbag may include an internal tether extending along a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis.

The assembly may include a second airbag supported by the center console and inflatable to an expanded position in which the airbag extends along the second side to above the center console and along the lateral axis toward the first side.

A vehicle includes a center console having first and second sides spaced apart from each other along a vehicle transverse axis. The vehicle includes a seat. The vehicle includes an airbag supported by the center console and inflatable to an expanded position in which the airbag extends upwardly between the first side and the seat and toward the second side along the vehicle lateral axis.

The vehicle may include a second seat spaced from the seat along the vehicle lateral axis, the center console is between the seat and the second seat, and the airbag in the inflated position may abut the second seat.

The vehicle may include: a second seat spaced from the seat along a vehicle lateral axis; and a second airbag supported by the center console and inflatable to an inflated position in which the second airbag extends upwardly between the second side and the second seat and toward the first side along the vehicle lateral axis.

The vehicle may include a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to: inflating the airbag and refraining from inflating the second airbag based on the detected direction of the vehicle collision.

The direction of the detected vehicle collision may be a side collision opposite the first side or an oblique collision opposite the first side.

The seat may include a seat back and the airbag in the inflated position may extend to the seat back.

The center console may include a storage compartment, and the airbag may be supported between the storage compartment and the seat.

The airbag may include an internal tether extending along a vehicle lateral axis in the inflated position.

The airbag may include an internal tether that extends along a vertical axis of the vehicle in the inflated position.

The vehicle may include a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to: inflating the airbag in response to detecting a side impact opposite the first side or an angled impact opposite the first side.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with a first airbag and a second airbag in an uninflated position.

Fig. 2 is a front view of a seat of a vehicle with a first airbag and a second airbag in an uninflated position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional front view of the vehicle with the first airbag in an inflated position and the second airbag in an uninflated position.

FIG. 4 is a cut-away top view of the vehicle with the first airbag in an inflated position and the second airbag in an uninflated position.

FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of a portion of a vehicle with a first airbag in an inflated position and a second airbag in an uninflated position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional front view of the vehicle with the first airbag in an uninflated position and the second airbag in an inflated position.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of components of a vehicle.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout the several views, an airbag assembly 20 for a vehicle 22 includes a center console 24 that is elongated along a longitudinal axis a 1. The center console 24 has a first side 26 and a second side 28, the first side 26 and the second side 28 being spaced apart from each other along a transverse axis a2 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis a 1. The airbag assembly 20 includes a first airbag 30 that is supported by the center console 24 and that is inflatable to an inflated position in which the first airbag extends along the first side 26 above the center console 24 and along the lateral axis a2 toward the second side 28. The first airbag 30 in the inflated position controls movement of the occupant during a collision with the vehicle 22. For example, the first airbag 30 in the inflated position may control movement of an occupant seated in a first seat 32 adjacent the first side 26 of the center console 24, thereby restricting movement of the occupant toward a second seat 34 adjacent the second side 28 of the center console 24, e.g., during a distal impact to the vehicle 22. Similarly, the vehicle 22 may include a second airbag 36, the second airbag 36 being supported by the center console 24 and inflatable to an inflated position where the second airbag extends along the second side 28 above the center console 24 and along the lateral axis a2 toward the first side 26.

The adjectives "first" and "second" are used throughout this document as identifiers, and are not intended to denote importance or order.

The vehicle 22 may be any passenger or commercial motor vehicle, such as an automobile, truck, sport utility vehicle, cross-over vehicle, van, minivan, taxi, bus, or the like. The vehicle 22 may define a vehicle longitudinal axis a3 that extends between, for example, a front and a rear of the vehicle 22. The vehicle 22 may define a vehicle transverse axis a4 that extends, for example, between the left and right sides of the vehicle 22. The vehicle 22 may define a vehicle vertical axis a5 that extends, for example, between the top and bottom of the vehicle 22. The vehicle longitudinal axis A3, the vehicle lateral axis a4, and the vehicle vertical axis a5 may be perpendicular to one another. Front, rear, top, bottom, left and right sides, etc. may be in terms of orientation relative to an occupant of the vehicle 22. Front, rear, top, bottom, left and right, etc. may be in relation to the orientation of controls (e.g., dashboard) used to operate the vehicle 22. When the wheels of the vehicle 22 are parallel to each other, the front, rear, top, bottom, left and right sides, etc. may all be relative to the driving direction of the vehicle 22, and so on.

The first and second seats 32, 34 are shown in fig. 1-6 as bucket seats, but alternatively the seats 32, 34 may be bench seats or another type of seat. The second seat 34 may be spaced from the first seat 32 along the vehicle transverse axis a 4. For example, the first seat 32 may be a driver side front seat, for example, on the left side of the vehicle 22. The second seat 34 may be, for example, a passenger side front seat on the right side of the vehicle 22. The first seat 32 may be at the first side 26 of the center console 24 and the second seat 34 may be at the second side 28 of the center console 24.

The seats 32, 34 may each include a seat back 38, a seat bottom 40, and a head restraint system 42. Head restraint system 42 may be supported by seat back 38 and may be fixed or movable relative to seat back 38. The seat back 38 may be supported by the seat bottom 40 and may be fixed or movable relative to the seat bottom 40. Seat back 38, seat bottom 40, and/or head restraint system 42 may be adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom. In particular, the seat back 38, the seat bottom 40, and/or the head restraint system 42 may be adjustable themselves, in other words, have adjustable components within the seat back 38, the seat bottom 40, and/or the head restraint system 42, and/or they may be adjustable relative to one another.

Center console 24 is elongated along a longitudinal axis a 1. For example, center console 24 may be elongated along a vehicle longitudinal axis a 3. The center console 24 may be located in the first seat 32 and

between the second seats 34. For example, the center console 24 may extend from the instrument panel toward the rear of the vehicle 22 and between the seats 32, 34.

Center console 24 has a first side 26 and a second side 28. The first side 26 and the second side 28 are spaced apart from each other along the transverse axis a 2. The transverse axis a2 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis a 1. For example, the first side 26 and the second side 28 may be spaced apart from each other along the vehicle lateral axis a 4. The first side 26 and the second side 28 may extend along a vehicle longitudinal axis A3 and a vehicle vertical axis a 5.

The center console 24 may include a storage compartment 44. The storage compartment 44 may provide a storage device that is accessible by an occupant. For example, the occupant may use the storage compartment 44 to store a telephone call, change, etc. The storage bin 44 may be between the first side 26 and the second side 28 of the center console 24. The storage bin 44 may include an open top. The center console 24 may include a cover 46. The cover 46 may selectively provide or restrict access to the storage compartment 44. For example, the cover 46 may be above the storage compartment 44 (e.g., relative to the vehicle vertical axis a5) and may be movable between a closed position covering an open top of the storage compartment 44 and an open position allowing access to the storage compartment 44 via the open top.

The center console 24 may include one or more trim panels 48. The trim panel 48 may be at the first side 26 of the center console 24, the second side 28 of the center console 24, and the like. The trim panel 48 may be plastic or any suitable material.

The first side 26 and the second side 28 may each include an outer surface 50. For example, the exterior surface 50 may be on the trim panel 48 and away from the storage bin 44. Center console 24 may include a top surface 52. The top surface 52 may face upward relative to the vehicle vertical axis a 5. For example, the top surface 52 may face away from the open top of the storage compartment 44. The outer surface 50 and the top surface 52 may be class a surfaces, i.e., surfaces that are specially manufactured to have a flawless, high quality, elegant aesthetic appearance.

The first airbag 30 is inflatable from an uninflated position as shown in figures 1, 2 and 6 to an inflated position as shown in figures 3 to 5. The second airbag 36 is inflatable from an unexpanded position shown in fig. 1-5 to an expanded position shown in fig. 6. The airbags 30, 36 may be formed from a woven polymer or any other material. As one example, the airbags 30, 36 may be formed from woven nylon yarns (e.g., nylon 6-6). Other examples include Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyester, and the like. The woven polymer may include a coating such as silicone, neoprene, polyurethane, or the like. For example, the coating may be a polyorganosiloxane.

The airbags 30, 36 are supported by the center console 24. For example, each of the airbags 30, 36 may be supported by a housing 54 (discussed below), the housing 54 being secured to the center console 24, e.g., via one or more fasteners. The airbags 30, 36 may be supported between the storage compartment 44 and the seats 32, 34. For example, the first airbag 30 may be supported between the storage bin 44 and the seat bottom 40 of the first seat 32, and the second airbag 36 may be supported between the storage bin 44 and the seat bottom 40 of the second seat 34. The airbags 30, 36 may be supported between the storage compartment 44 and the trim panel 48. For example, the first airbag 30 may be supported between the storage compartment 44 and the trim panel 48 at the first side 26 of the center console 24, and the second airbag 36 may be supported between the storage compartment 44 and the trim panel 48 at the second side 28 of the center console 24. The airbag 30, 36 in the uninflated position may be between the storage compartment 44 and the trim panel 48, for example, along the lateral axis a2 and/or the vehicle lateral axis a 4.

The airbags 30, 36 in the inflated position may each extend along one of the sides 26, 28 above the center console 24 and along the lateral axis a2 toward the other of the sides 26, 28. In other words, the first airbag 30 may extend along the first side 26 above the center console 24 and along the lateral axis a2 and/or the vehicle lateral axis a4 toward the second side 28, and the second airbag 36 may extend along the second side 28 above the center console 24 and along the lateral axis a2 and/or the vehicle lateral axis a4 toward the first side 26.

Referring to fig. 5, each of the airbags 30, 36 in the inflated position may include a bottom portion 56. The bottom portions 56 may each include an inner panel 58 and a first outer panel 60, the first outer panel 60 being spaced apart from the inner panel 58, for example, along the lateral axis a2 and/or the vehicle lateral axis a 4. The inner panel 58 may be closer to the center console 24 than the first outer panel 60. The inner panel 58 and the first outer panel 60 may extend along a vehicle longitudinal axis A3 and along a vehicle vertical axis a 5. A first chamber 62 may be defined between the inner panel 58 and the first outer panel 60. A cross-section of bottom portion 56 (e.g., first chamber 62) along lateral axis a2 and/or vehicle lateral axis a4 may be substantially rectangular. For example, the bottom portion 56 may deviate from a perfectly rectangular shape due to the flexible nature of the airbags 30, 36.

The bottom portion 56 may extend along the sides 26, 28 of the center console 24. The bottom portion 56 of the first airbag 30 may extend along the first side 26 of the center console 24. For example, the inner panel 58 of the first airbag 30 may abut the trim panel 48 at the first side 26 of the center console 24 and extend along this trim panel 48 (e.g., along the vehicle longitudinal axis A3 and along the vehicle vertical axis a 5). The bottom portion 56 of the second airbag 36 may extend along the second side 28 of the center console 24. For example, the inner panel 58 of the second airbag 36 may abut the trim panel 48 at the second side 28 of the center console 24 and extend along this trim panel 48 (e.g., along the vehicle longitudinal axis A3 and along the vehicle vertical axis a 5).

Each of the airbags 30, 36 in the inflated position may include a top portion 64. The top portion 64 may be above the center console 24. For example, the top portion 64 may be above the cover 46 of the center console 24 along the vehicle vertical axis a 5. As another example, the top portion 64 may be above the top surface 52 of the center console 24. The top portion 64 may extend along a lateral axis a2 and/or a vehicle lateral axis a 4. The top portion 64 of the first airbag 30 may extend from the bottom portion 56 of the first airbag 30 toward the second side 28 of the center console 24 at the first side 26 of the center console 24. The top portion 64 of the second airbag 36 may extend from the bottom portion 56 of the second airbag 36 toward the first side 26 of the center console 24 at the second side 28 of the center console 24.

The top portion 64 may include a first exterior panel 60, a second exterior panel 66, a bottom panel 68, and a top panel 70. The first outer panel 60 may be spaced from the second outer panel 66 along the vehicle transverse axis a 4. The top panel 70 may be spaced from the bottom panel 68 along the vehicle vertical axis a 5. The first and second outer panels 60, 66 may extend along a vehicle longitudinal axis A3 and along a vehicle vertical axis a 5. The first outer panel 60 may extend from the bottom portion 56 to the top panel 70. The second outer panel 66 may extend from the bottom panel 68 to the top panel 70. The top panel 70 and the bottom panel 68 may extend along a vehicle longitudinal axis A3 and a vehicle transverse axis a 4. The top panel 70 may extend from the first exterior panel 60 to the second exterior panel 66. The bottom panel 68 may extend from the bottom portion 56 (e.g., from the inner panel 58) to the second outer panel 66. The second chamber 72 may be defined between the first outer panel 60, the second outer panel 66, the top panel 70, and the bottom panel 68. The second chamber 72 may be in fluid communication with the first chamber 62. In other words, inflation medium may flow from the first chamber 62 to the second chamber 72. The top portion 64, e.g., the second chamber 72, may be generally rectangular in cross-section along the lateral axis a2 and/or the vehicle lateral axis a 4. For example, the top portion 64 may deviate from a perfectly rectangular shape due to the flexible nature of the airbags 30, 36.

The first outer panel 60, the second outer panel 66, the top panel 70, and/or the bottom panel 68 may be secured to one another, for example, via stitching, adhesive, friction welding, and the like. The first exterior panel 60, the second exterior panel 66, the top panel 70, and/or the bottom panel 68 may be unitary, i.e., a single piece of material without seams, joints, fasteners, or adhesives that hold the first exterior panel 60, the second exterior panel 66, the top panel 70, and/or the bottom panel 68 together.

The airbags 30, 36 in the inflated position extend upwardly between one of the sides 26, 28 of the center console 24 and one of the seats 32, 34. For example, the bottom portion 56 of the first airbag 30 may extend upward from at or below the seat bottom 40 of the first seat 32 along the vehicle vertical axis a5 toward the cover 46, the top surface 52 of the center console 24, the head restraint system 42 of the first seat 32, and the like. The bottom portion 56 of the first airbag 30 may be between the trim panel 48 and the first seat 32 at the first side 26 of the center console 24. Similarly, the bottom portion 56 of the second airbag 36 may extend upward from at or below the seat bottom 40 of the second seat 34 along the vehicle vertical axis a5 toward the cover 46 of the center console 24, the top surface 52 of the center console 24, the head restraint system 42 of the second seat 34, and so forth. The bottom portion 56 of the second airbag 36 may be between the trim panel 48 at the second side 28 of the center console 24 and the second seat 34.

The airbags 30, 36 in the inflated position may abut a top surface 52 of the center console 24. For example, the bottom panel 68 of the top portion 64 of the first airbag 30 may abut the top surface 52. Similarly, the bottom panel 68 of the top portion 64 of the second airbag 36 may abut the top surface 52.

The airbags 30, 36 in the inflated position may abut the cover 46 of the center console 24. For example, the bottom panel 68 of the top portion 64 of the first airbag 30 may abut the cover 46. Similarly, the bottom panel 68 of the top portion 64 of the second airbag 36 may abut the cover 46.

The airbags 30, 36 in the inflated position may abut an outer surface 50 of one of the sides 26, 28 of the center console 24. For example, the inner panel 58 of the first airbag 30 may abut the outer surface 50 at the first side 26 of the center console 24. Similarly, the inner panel 58 of the second airbag 36 may abut the outer surface 50 at the second side 28 of the center console 24.

The airbags 30, 36 in the inflated position may extend from one of the sides 26, 28 of the center console 24 along the lateral axis a2 and/or the vehicle lateral axis a4 beyond the other side 26, 28 of the center console 24. For example, the top portion 64 of the first airbag 30 may extend from the trim panel 48 at the first side 26 of the center console 24, from the bottom portion 56 of the first airbag 30 at the first side 26, etc. beyond the trim panel 48 at the second side 28 of the center console 24 along the lateral axis a2 and/or the vehicle lateral axis a 4. In other words, the center console 24 may be between the first and second exterior panels 60, 66. Similarly, the top portion 64 of the second airbag 36 may extend from the trim panel 48 at the second side 28 of the center console 24, from the bottom portion 56 of the second airbag 36 at the second side 28, etc. beyond the trim panel 48 at the first side 26 of the center console 24 along the lateral axis a2 and/or the vehicle lateral axis a 4.

The airbags 30, 36 in the inflated position may abut the seat opposite the respective airbag. The first airbag 30 in the inflated position may abut the second seat 34. For example, the second outer panel 66 of the top portion 64 of the first airbag 30 may abut the seat back 38 of the second seat 34. Similarly, the second airbag 36 in the inflated position may abut the first seat 32.

The airbags 30, 36 in the inflated position may extend to a corresponding seat back 38. For example, the top portion 64 and/or the bottom portion 56 of the first airbag 30 may extend from forward of the seat back 38 of the first seat 32 along the vehicle longitudinal axis a3, e.g., from a forward distal edge of the seat bottom 40 of the first seat 32 to the seat back 38 of the first seat 32. Similarly, the top portion 64 and/or the bottom portion 56 of the second airbag 36 may extend from forward of the seat back 38 of the second seat 34 to the seat back 38 of the second seat 34 along the vehicle longitudinal axis a 3.

Each of the airbags 30, 36 may include one or more internal tethers 74, 76. The internal tethers 74, 76 may be in the top portion 64, such as in the second chamber 72. In the expanded position, one or more of the internal tethers 74 may extend along the lateral axis a2 and/or the vehicle lateral axis a 4. For example, one or more of the internal tethers 74 may connect one of the first exterior panels 60 to one of the second exterior panels 66. In the expanded position, one or more of the internal tethers 76 may extend along a vertical axis a6 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis a1 and the lateral axis a2 and/or along a vehicle vertical axis a 5. For example, one or more of the internal tethers 76 may connect one of the top panels 70 to one of the bottom panels 68. The internal tethers 74, 76 may be the same material as the panels 58, 60, 66, 68, 70 of the airbags 30, 34, or any suitable material. The internal tethers 74, 76 may be secured to one or more of the panels 60, 66, 68, 70. The internal tethers 74, 76 may be integral with one or more of the panels 60, 66, 68, 70.

The airbags 30, 36 may be disposed within the housing 54 in an uninflated position. The housing 54 provides a reaction surface for the airbags 30, 36 in the inflated position. The housing 54 may be supported by the center console 24, for example, between the storage bin 44 and one of the seats 32, 34, between the storage bin 44 and one of the trim panels 48, etc. The housing 54 may be formed of any material (e.g., rigid polymer, metal, composite, etc.).

The inflator 78 may be connected to each of the airbags 30, 36. Upon receiving a signal from, for example, the computer 80, the inflator 78 may inflate one of the airbags 30, 36 with an inflatable medium, such as a gas. The inflator 78 may be, for example, a pyrotechnic inflator that uses a chemical reaction to drive the inflation medium to the airbags 30, 36. The inflator 78 may be of any suitable type, for example, a cold gas inflator. The inflator 78 may be disposed in the housing 54.

The vehicle 22 may include a crash sensor 82. The impact sensor 82 is programmed to detect an impact to the vehicle 22. The crash sensor 82 may detect the direction of a crash, such as a driver-side crash, a passenger-side crash, or the like. The impact sensor 82 may be of any suitable type, for example, a post-contact sensor such as an accelerometer, a pressure sensor, and a contact switch; and pre-crash sensors such as radar, lidar and vision sensing systems. The vision system may include one or more cameras, CCD image sensors, CMOS image sensors, and the like. The crash sensors 82 may be located at various points in the vehicle 22 or on the vehicle 22.

The vehicle 22 may include a communication network 84. The communication network 84 includes hardware, such as a communication bus, for facilitating communication between components, such as the inflator 78, the computer 80, the impact sensor 82, and the like. The communication network 84 may facilitate wired or wireless communication between components according to a variety of communication protocols, such as Controller Area Network (CAN), ethernet, WiFi, Local Interconnect Network (LIN), and/or other wired or wireless mechanisms.

The computer 80 may be a microprocessor-based controller implemented via a circuit, chip, or other electronic component. For example, the computer 80 may include a processor, memory, and the like. The memory of the computer 80 may include memory for storing instructions executable by the processor and for electronically storing data and/or databases.

The memory may store instructions that are executable by the processor to: one of the airbags 30, 36 is inflated based on the direction of the detected collision with the vehicle 22. The memory may store instructions that are executable by the processor to: inflation of the other of the airbags 30, 36 is avoided based on the direction of the detected collision. The computer 80 may detect the direction of the impact based on information from the impact sensor 82 (e.g., received via the communication network 84). For example, the computer 80 may detect a collision I1 (shown in fig. 3) of a side of the vehicle 22 opposite the first side 26 of the center console 24 (e.g., to a passenger side of the vehicle 22). This impact I1 may be referred to as a distal impact with respect to the first seat 32. Such a collision may be, for example, a side collision along the vehicle lateral axis a4, or an angled collision, for example, transverse to the vehicle longitudinal axis A3. In response, the computer 80 may transmit instructions to one or more of the inflators 78, such as via the communication network 84, to inflate the first airbag 30 and may refrain from transmitting instructions to one or more other inflators 78 to maintain the second airbag 36 in the uninflated position. Similarly, the computer 80 may detect a crash I2 (shown in fig. 6) of a side of the vehicle 22 (e.g., to the driver side of the vehicle 22) opposite the second side 28 of the center console 24. In response, the computer 80 may transmit instructions to one or more inflators 78 to inflate the second airbag 36, and may refrain from transmitting instructions to one or more other inflators 78 to maintain the first airbag 30 in the uninflated position.

Inflating the airbags 30, 36 opposite the impact side controls movement of the occupants of the seats 32, 34 opposite the impact side. For example, when it is the side of the vehicle 22 adjacent the second seat 34 (e.g., the passenger side) that is impacted, the occupant of the first seat 32 may move toward the second seat 34. The inflated first airbag 30 may restrict this movement, thereby controlling the amount of occupant deflection toward the head of the second seat 34.

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

According to the invention, there is provided an assembly having: a center console elongated along a longitudinal axis and having a first side and a second side spaced apart from each other along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and an airbag supported by the center console and inflatable to an expanded position in which the airbag extends along the first side to above the center console and along the lateral axis toward the second side.

According to an embodiment, the center console includes a top surface and the airbag in the inflated position abuts the top surface.

According to an embodiment, the center console includes a cover, and the airbag in the inflated position abuts the cover.

According to an embodiment, the first side comprises an outer surface and the airbag in the inflated position abuts the outer surface.

According to an embodiment, the airbag in the inflated position extends beyond the second side along the transverse axis.

According to an embodiment, the center console includes a storage compartment and a trim panel at the first side, the airbag being supported between the storage compartment and the trim panel.

According to an embodiment, the airbag in the inflated position comprises a bottom portion extending along the first side and a top portion extending along a transverse axis above the center console, the bottom portion and the top portion being rectangular in cross-section along the transverse axis.

According to an embodiment, the airbag includes an internal tether extending along a transverse axis.

According to an embodiment, the airbag includes an internal tether extending along a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis.

According to an embodiment, the invention also features the second airbag supported by the center console and inflatable to an inflated position where the second airbag extends along the second side above the center console and along the lateral axis toward the first side.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle having; a center console having first and second sides spaced apart from each other along a vehicle lateral axis; a seat; and an airbag supported by the center console and inflatable to an inflated position in which the airbag extends upwardly between the first side and the seat and toward the second side along the vehicle lateral axis.

According to an embodiment, the invention also features a second seat spaced from the seat along the vehicle lateral axis, the center console being between the seat and the second seat, and wherein the airbag in the inflated position abuts the second seat.

According to an embodiment, the invention also features a second seat spaced from the seat along the vehicle lateral axis, and a second airbag supported by the center console and inflatable to an inflated position in which the second airbag extends upwardly between the second side and the second seat and toward the first side along the vehicle lateral axis.

According to an embodiment, the invention also features a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to: inflating the airbag and refraining from inflating the second airbag based on the detected direction of the vehicle collision.

According to an embodiment, the direction of the detected vehicle collision is a side collision opposite to the first side or an oblique collision opposite to the first side.

According to an embodiment, the seat includes a seat back and the airbag in the inflated position extends to the seat back.

According to an embodiment, the center console includes a storage compartment, and the airbag is supported between the storage compartment and the seat.

According to an embodiment, the airbag includes an internal tether extending along a vehicle lateral axis in the inflated position.

According to an embodiment, the airbag includes an internal tether extending along a vertical axis of the vehicle in the inflated position.

According to an embodiment, the invention also features a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to: inflating the airbag in response to detecting a side impact opposite the first side or an angled impact opposite the first side.