Sleeping bedsheet crash protection system for lie-flat sleeping passenger

A sleeping occupant crash protection system, comprising:

• an occupant sleeping compartment positioned within an autonomous vehicle;
• a substantially flat platform of the occupant sleeping compartment supporting an occupant initially reclining in a horizontal sleep position;
• an elastic bedsheet positioned in direct contact with an upper surface of the platform and positioned between the occupant and the platform, the elastic bedsheet having a first bedsheet portion rotated in a vehicle rearward facing direction during a first vehicle rapid deceleration event, and a second bedsheet portion oppositely rotated in a vehicle forward facing direction during a second vehicle rapid deceleration event;
• and
• a sensing system in communication with the occupant sleeping compartment and triggering rotation of at least one of the first bedsheet portion during the first vehicle rapid deceleration event and the second bedsheet portion during the second vehicle rapid deceleration event.

A method for protecting sleeping passengers of an autonomous vehicle, comprising:

• positioning a sleeping compartment within an autonomous vehicle;
• supporting an occupant reclining in a horizontal sleep position on a substantially flat platform of the sleeping compartment;
• positioning an elastic bedsheet in direct contact with an upper surface of the platform and positioned between the occupant and the platform, wherein the elastic bedsheet includes a first bedsheet portion and a second bedsheet portion;
• and
• placing a sensing system in communication with the sleeping compartment and triggering deployment of a bedsheet initiation system during a vehicle rapid deceleration event, wherein triggering deployment of the bedsheet initiation system includes rotating the first bedsheet portion of the elastic bedsheet about a first arc of rotation toward a vehicle rearward facing direction when the vehicle rapid deceleration event defines a vehicle rear impact and rotating the second bedsheet portion of the elastic bedsheet about a second arc of rotation toward a vehicle forward facing direction opposite to the vehicle rearward facing direction when the vehicle rapid deceleration event defines a vehicle front impact.