# US 2023/0264643 A1 · Airbag extension system

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- Number: US 2023/0264643 A1
- Document ID: US20230264643A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/108,952
- Filed: 2023-02-13
- Published: 2023-08-24
- Earliest claimed: 2018-06-18
- Assignees: Waymo LLC
- Applicants: Waymo LLC
- Inventors: Courtney McCool
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230264643A1

## CPC

- B60R 21/20: Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
- B60R 21/0134: responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle {, e.g. using radar systems}
- B60R 21/01512: {Passenger detection systems}
- B60R 21/01554: {Seat position sensors}
- B60R 21/264: using instantaneous generation of gas, e.g. pyrotechnic (B60R21/268 takes precedence)
- B60R 2021/01286: {Electronic control units}
- B60R 2021/0273: {automatically movable to an operative position, e.g. in case of collision or impending collision}
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to reducing the likelihood of injury to a passenger in a collision. In one example, a computing device may determine that an impact between a vehicle and an object external to the vehicle is imminent. The computing device may determine a protection range for a vehicle's airbag based on characteristics of the passenger, including the passenger's seating location within the vehicle. An airbag extension system may position an airbag package, including the vehicle's airbag, such that the vehicle's airbag is within the protection range of the passenger's seating location.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for reducing a likelihood of injury to a passenger in a collision, the system comprising:
an airbag package including one or more airbags and one or more inflators; and
a positioning unit including one or more hinges, the one or more hinges configured to rotate the airbag package into a protection range,
wherein the airbag package is attached to the positioning unit, and
wherein the positioning unit is configured to extend to position the airbag package using the one or more hinges such that the one or more airbags are within the protection range of the passenger upon the one or more airbags being deployed by the one or more inflators.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the protection range of the passenger is between 5 inches and 30 inches.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein further comprising a vehicle, and the positioning unit is mounted to a frame of the vehicle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more hinges travel within one or more columns.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the one or more columns allow the airbag package to be positioned at different locations.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein movements of the one or more hinges within the one or more columns are controlled by an actuator.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more hinges are configured to be extended by one or more of springs, actuators, or compressed gas.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the positioning unit includes one or more pyrotechnic lifters and the pyrotechnic lifters are configured to position the airbag package into the protection range.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the pyrotechnic lifters include one or more extension rods connected to the airbag package.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle, and wherein the airbag package is positioned behind a panel of the vehicle.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the panel of the vehicle is configured to open when the airbag package is initiated for positioning.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more inflators includes a gas generator propellant.

### Claim 13 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein the vehicle includes one or more computing devices configured to activate the positioning unit.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the vehicle includes one or more computing devices configured to activate the positioning unit.