Vehicle occupant protection apparatus with inflation volume and shape control

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:

• an inflatable device for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a crash condition;
• a support structure securing a portion of the inflatable device;
• a plurality of tethers extending between the support structure and the inflatable device;
• at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle occupant condition and generating an occupant condition signal indicative of the sensed condition;
• and
• a control module for receiving the occupant condition signal and determining a preferred inflation volume and shape for the inflatable device;
• the control module determining which of the respective tethers to release for inflating the inflatable device to the preferred inflation volume and shape and initiating the release of the respective tethers from the support structure,
• each of the tethers being secured to the support structure by a release mechanism;
• the release mechanism being actuatable by the controller;
• and
• actuation of the release mechanism releasing the tether from the support structure,
• the release mechanism being an exploding fastener,
• the exploding fastener including a tubular bolt;
• the tubular bolt having a threaded outer surface for receiving a nut and a chamber having a pyrotechnic charge.

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:

• an inflatable device for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle during a crash condition;
• a support structure securing a portion of the inflatable device;
• a plurality of tethers extending between the support structure and the inflatable device;
• at least one sensor for sensing a vehicle occupant condition and generating an occupant condition signal indicative of the sensed condition;
• and
• a control module for receiving the occupant condition signal and determining a preferred inflation volume and shape for the inflatable device;
• the control module selectively determining whether at least one but less than all of the plurality of tethers is to be released for controlling inflation of the inflatable device to the preferred inflation volume and shape and initiating the release of the at least one but less than all of the plurality of tethers from the support structure.