Abstract: A seat back for a vehicle includes a frame and an electronic display. A pyrotechnic fastener supports the electronic display on the frame. The pyrotechnic fastener includes a first portion fixed to the frame, a second portion fixed to the electronic display, and a pyrotechnic element. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, the pyrotechnic element may be activated to lower the electronic display resulting in increased travel space for the occupant.

Abstract: A seat back for a vehicle includes a frame and an electronic display. A pyrotechnic fastener supports the electronic display on the frame. The pyrotechnic fastener includes a first portion fixed to the frame, a second portion fixed to the electronic display, and a pyrotechnic element. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, the pyrotechnic element may be activated to lower the electronic display resulting in increased travel space for the occupant.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seat back and a display assembly supported by the seat back. The seat back includes a headrest supported by the seat back. An airbag is disposed in the headrest in an uninflated position and is inflatable from the uninflated position to an inflated position extending from the headrest. At least a portion of the display assembly is disposed between the airbag and the seat back when the airbag is in the inflated position. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, the airbag may reduce the likelihood of the occupant contacting components of the display assembly and/or the seat back.

Abstract: A display assembly for a vehicle includes an electronic display and a rod coupled to the electronic display. A guide defines a slot which receives the rod. The rod is movable along the slot from a first position to a second position. An energy absorption element is disposed along the slot and is deformable by the rod when the rod moves from the first position to the second position. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, a head of an occupant may contact the display assembly and may move the rod from the first position to the second position, during which movement the energy absorption element absorbs energy.

Abstract: An airbag (10) is provided that can be sequentially deployed for minimizing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant (12). This airbag (10) is an inflatable bag having a primary chamber (34) and a secondary chamber (36) that is adjacent to the primary chamber (34). The primary chamber (34) is configured for inflating before the secondary chamber (36). In addition, this primary chamber (34) is utilized for applying a generally downward force the vehicle occupant's lap (14) and abdomen (16). In this way, a substantial portion of the initial deployment force of the airbag (10) is allocated to the occupant's more durable lower body. Also, the primary chamber (34) can be utilized for positioning the occupant's body (12) in a manner best suited for impacting the airbag (10). This airbag (10) is then sequentially deployed in a generally linear direction upward from the primary chamber (34) to the secondary chamber (36).

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for venting an inflatable restraint assembly 12. The apparatus 10 includes a conventional pyrotechnic cylinder 30 which is communicatively coupled to a controller 28, a selectively pivotable door 32 which selectively seals and/or covers an opening 33 within assembly 12, and a latch mechanism 34 which is coupled to the cylinder 30 and which selectively engages and disengages door 32. Controller 28 is communicatively coupled to a seat position sensor 36, seat belt sensor 38 and crash severity sensor(s) 40. Controller 28 determines when a crash situation has occurred or will imminently occur and selectively activates assembly 12 if such a determination is made, thereby protecting the vehicle occupant 18 from harm and/or injury. Controller 28 further determines whether and/or when to vent air bag module 12 based upon the data received from sensors 36-40 and selectively activates cylinder 30 in response to such a determination.

Abstract: A method of adjusting air bag deployment in a vehicle having a seat adjustable along a seat track and an adjustable pedal includes sensing the adjusted position of the seat along the seat track and sensing the adjusted position of the adjustable pedal. Air bag deployment is then adjusted based upon the sensed positions of the seat and pedal. Preferably, the air bag is deployable at low output and high output, and the adjusting step includes sending a signal operative to enable or disable the high output of air bag deployment.

Abstract: An air bag deployment system for a vehicle having an air bag cushion having at least one pyrotechnic vent, an inflator in communication with the air bag cushion for inflating the air bag cushion, at least one sensor, and a restraint control module electrically connected to the pyrotechnic vent and the at least one sensor. The restraint control module being operative to receive and analyze a signal from the at least one sensor and to signal the pyrotechnic vent to deploy thereby allowing gas to vent from inside the air bag cushion.

Abstract: A method of adjusting air bag deployment in a vehicle having a seat adjustable along a seat track and an adjustable pedal includes sensing the adjusted position of the seat along the seat track and sensing the adjusted position of the adjustable pedal. Air bag deployment is then adjusted based upon the sensed positions of the seat and pedal. Preferably, the air bag is deployable at low output and high output, and the adjusting step includes sending a signal operative to enable or disable the high output of air bag deployment.