DE102018121147A1 - VEHICLE WITH AN INFLATABLE ASSEMBLY THROUGH A SEAT - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly includes a backrest including a left side trim and a right side trim opposite the left side trim, a left airbag inflatable from the left side trim to an inflated position, a right airbag inflatable from the right side trim to an inflated position and a tether extending from the left side trim to the right side trim. The tether is connected to the airbags.

Description

GENERAL PRIOR ART

Vehicles are equipped with airbags. In the event of an impact, a gas generator is turned on and provides inflation air to the airbags and the airbags are pressurized and act as a cushion for occupants during the impact. The airbags are located at various fixed positions in passenger compartments of vehicles. Vehicles typically include a driver airbag mounted in the steering wheel, a passenger airbag mounted in the dashboard in a vehicle direction in front of the front passenger seat, and side air curtains mounted in the roof rail.

list of figures

• 1 FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle with a passenger compartment exposed for illustration. FIG.
• 2A FIG. 13 is a side view of a seat of the vehicle with an exemplary airbag assembly in a deflated position. FIG.
• 2 B is a front view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A in the deflated position.
• 3A is a side view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A in a partially inflated position.
• 3B is a front view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A in the partially inflated position.
• 4A is a side view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A that are relative to the 3A and 3B is further inflated.
• 4B is a front view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A that are relative to the 3A and 3B is further inflated.
• 5A is a side view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A that are relative to the 4A and 4B is further inflated.
• 5B is a front view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A that are relative to the 4A and 4B is further inflated.
• 6A is a side view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A that are relative to the 5A and 5B is further inflated.
• 6B is a front view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A that are relative to the 5A and 5B is further inflated.
• 7A is a side view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A that are relative to the 6A and 6B is further inflated.
• 7B is a front view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A that are relative to the 6A and 6B is further inflated.
• 8A is a side view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A that are relative to the 7A and 7B is further inflated.
• 8B is a front view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A that are relative to the 7A and 7B is further inflated.
• 9A is a side view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A that are relative to the 8A and 8B is further inflated.
• 9B is a front view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A that are relative to the 8A and 8B is further inflated.
• 10A is a side view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A in a fully inflated position.
• 10B is a front view of the seat with the airbag module of 2A in the fully inflated position.
• 11A FIG. 12 is a side view of the vehicle with another exemplary airbag assembly in a fully inflated position. FIG.
• 11B is a front view of the seat with the airbag module of 11A in the fully inflated position.
• 12 FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control system for the air bag assembly of FIG 2A or 11A ,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A vehicle seat assembly includes a backrest including a left side trim and a right side trim opposite the left side trim, a left airbag inflatable from the left side trim to an inflated position, a right airbag inflatable from the right side trim to an inflated position and a tether extending from the left side trim to the right side trim. The tether is connected to the airbags.

The tether may be attached to the left side trim under the left airbag and to the right side trim under the right airbag.

The backrest may include a front panel extending from the left side panel to the right side panel, and the tether may extend over the front panel extend when the left airbag and the right airbag are in the inflated position.

The left airbag may be an upper left airbag and the right airbag may be an upper right airbag. The vehicle seat assembly may further include a lower left airbag inflatable from the left side panel and disposed below the upper left airbag, and a lower right airbag inflatable from the right side panel and disposed below the upper right airbag. The upper left airbag and the lower left airbag may be sewn together, and the upper right airbag and the lower right airbag may be sewn together. The tether may be connected to the lower left airbag and the lower right airbag.

The backrest may include an upper portion, and the vehicle seat assembly may further include an upper airbag inflatable forwardly of the upper portion relative to the backrest. The tether may be connected to the upper airbag. The upper airbag may be inflatable to an inflated position and the vehicle seat assembly may further include a front airbag inflatable downwardly from the upper airbag when the upper airbag is in the inflated position. The upper airbag may be fluidly connected to the front airbag.

The vehicle seat assembly may further include a container connected to one of the upper airbag and the tether, and the front airbag may be inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position, and the front airbag may be in the deflated position in the container be arranged.

The tether may be a first tether and the vehicle seat assembly may further include a second tether extending from the left side panel to the right side panel. The vehicle seat assembly may further include a hook that is fixed relative to the seat back, and the second tether may be movable from a non-use position to an insertion position, and the second tether is engaged with the hook in the deployed position. The first tether and the second tether may be inflatable. The vehicle seat assembly may further include seams connecting the first and second tethers, and the seams may tear by inflating the upper airbag.

The vehicle seat assembly may further include a front airbag inflator fluidly coupled to the front airbag, at least one side airbag inflator fluidly coupled to the left airbag and the right airbag, and a controller configured to communicate with the front airbag inflator and the at least one a side airbag inflator, and the controller may be programmed to instruct the front airbag inflator to inflate after the at least one side airbag inflator has been instructed to inflate.

The tether may be inflatable. The left side panel and the right side panel may each include a seam that extends along the tether and may tear by inflating the tether. The vehicle seat assembly may further include a seat surface coupled to the seat back and a rotation mechanism coupled to the seat surface and connectable to a floor, and the rotation mechanism may be rotatable about an axis transverse to the floor.

A vehicle may include a floor and a seat assembly including a seating surface, a seatback coupled to the seat, a rotating mechanism coupled to the seating surface and the floor and rotatable about an axis transverse to the floor, a left airbag, a right airbag, and a tether , The backrest includes a left side panel and a right side panel opposite the left side panel. The left airbag is inflatable from the left side panel to an inflated position. The right airbag is inflatable from the right side panel to an inflated position. The tether extends from the left side panel to the right side panel and is connected to the airbags.

Referring to the figures, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a vehicle includes 48 a vehicle seat assembly 10 with a seat 12 and one through the seat 12 mounted inflatable assembly 14 , The seat 12 includes a seat 15 and a backrest 16 on the seat 15 is stored. The inflatable assembly 14 blows in front of the backrest 16 on to an occupant in the seat 12 during a sudden slowdown of the vehicle 48 , z. B. during a vehicle impact, withhold. The inflatable assembly 14 Increases the likelihood that the occupant regardless of the direction of the impact and the direction in which the seat 12 points, in the seat 12 is held back. The inflatable assembly 14 it also increases the likelihood that the occupant will be in the seat during a rollover of the vehicle 12 is held back.

With reference to 1 can the vehicle 48 to be an autonomous vehicle. One Computer (not shown) may be configured to the vehicle 48 operate completely or to a lesser extent independently of the intervention of a human driver. The computer may be programmed to operate the drive, brake system, steering, and / or other vehicle systems. For purposes of this disclosure, autonomous operation is understood to mean that the computer controls the drive, brake system, and steering; By semi-autonomous operation is meant that the computer controls one or two of the drive, braking system and steering and a human driver controls the rest; and non-autonomous operation means that the human driver controls the drive, braking system and steering.

The vehicle 48 includes a passenger compartment 50 , The passenger compartment 50 Bring the occupants, if any, of the vehicle 48 under. The passenger compartment 50 can through a body 52 of the vehicle 48 surrounded and / or defined. A floor 54 can be a bottom of the passenger compartment 50 define.

The vehicle 48 can have one or more seats 12 for occupants of the vehicle 48 include. The seat 12 or the seats 12 can on the ground 54 be stored. In examples where the vehicle 48 several seats 12 includes, the seats can 12 be essentially identical. The seat 12 For example, a bucket seat as shown in the figures may be a seat or other type of seat. The seat 12 defines a forward direction as a direction that an occupant resides in the seat 12 sits, faces.

The floor 54 can the seat 12 rotatably store so that the seat 12 around an axis across the ground 54 is rotatable. For example, the seat 12 via a rotating mechanism 56 which is configured to the seat 12 rotatable on the ground 54 of the vehicle 48 to store, rotatable to the ground 54 be coupled, so the seat 12 around an axis across the ground 54 is rotatable. The turning mechanism 56 For example, a footboard 58 that with one of the seat 12 and the floor 54 connected, and a warehouse 60 that with the other of the seat 12 and the floor 54 connected and the foot part 58 rotatable receives include. In examples where the vehicle 48 several seats 12 includes, the seats can 12 each relative to each other about a vertical axis relative to the passenger compartment 50 be rotatable. The seat 12 may point in a forward direction of the vehicle, a rearward direction of the vehicle, or any direction therebetween. Every direction in which the seat 12 indicates, the forward direction is relative to the seat 12 ,

With reference to the 2A-11B can the backrest 16 through the seat 15 can be stored and can relative to the seat 15 be fixed or movable. For example, the backrest 16 relative to the seat 15 be raised and lowered. The inflatable assembly 14 can on the backrest 16 be stored so that the inflatable assembly 14 with the backrest 16 relative to the seat 15 is raised and lowered. Additionally or alternatively, the backrest 16 and / or the seat 15 be adjustable in several degrees of freedom relative to each other. In particular, the backrest can 16 and / or the seat 15 In other words, they can be adjustable within the backrest 16 and / or the seat 15 have adjustable components and / or can be adjustable relative to each other. The backrest 16 includes a front panel 62 that the inmate touches when he is in the seat 12 sits, a back panel 64 in the opposite direction as the front panel 62 points, and a left side panel 66 and a right side panel 68 pointing in a lateral direction and the front panel 62 and the back cover 62 connect. The right side panel 68 is opposite the left side panel 66 arranged and facing in the opposite direction as the left side panel 66 ,

The backrest 16 includes a lower area 70 adjacent to the seat 15 and an upper area 72 above the lower area, and the front panel 62 extends from the lower area 70 to the upper area 72 and is positioned to face an occupant. The upper area 72 may be a headrest or may be located above the headrest.

The inflatable assembly 14 can be a first gas generator 18 , a second gas generator 20 , a third gas generator 22 , a fourth gas generator 24 , a fifth gas generator 26 and a sixth gas generator 28 involve, respectively, through the seat 12 are stored. (The adjectives "first", "second", etc. are used throughout this specification as identifiers and are not intended to indicate meaning or order.) The gas generators 18 . 20 . 22 . 24 . 26 . 28 can each through the backrest 16 be stored. The gas generators 18 . 20 . 22 . 24 . 26 . 28 may inflate their respective components with an inflation medium, such as a gas, as discussed below. The gas generators 18 . 20 . 22 . 24 . 26 . 28 can be gas generators with compressed gas. Alternatively, the gas generators 18 . 20 . 22 . 24 . 26 . 28 For example, pyrotechnic gas generators that use a chemical reaction to direct an inflation medium into the airbags. The gas generators 18 . 20 . 22 . 24 . 26 . 28 can z. B. be cold gas gas generators.

The inflatable assembly 14 includes a pair of lower side airbags 30 ie a left lower side airbag 30 and a right lower side airbag 30 , stored by the seat 12 , z. B. the backrest 16 , The lower side airbags 30 are stored on opposite sides of the occupant, ie the lower left side airbag 30 on the left side panel 66 the backrest 16 and the right lower side airbag 30 on the right side panel 68 the backrest 16 , The lower side airbags 30 can each with the first gas generator 18 to be in fluid communication. The first gas generator 18 may be a single inflator or may include two separate inflators, each one of the lower side airbags 30 assigned. The lower side airbags 20 are inflatable from a deflated position to an inflated position. The lower side airbags 30 each can be an extension 74 include, extending from the rest of the lower side airbag 30 extends forward when in the inflated position.

The inflatable assembly 14 includes a pair of upper side airbags 32 ie a left upper side airbag 32 and a right upper side airbag 32 , stored by the seat 12 , z. B. the backrest 16 , The upper side airbags 32 are above the respective lower side airbags 30 arranged. The upper side airbags 32 are stored on opposite sides of the occupant, ie the upper left side airbag 32 on the left side panel 66 the backrest and the right upper side airbag 32 on the right side panel 68 the backrest. The upper side airbags 32 can each with the second gas generator 20 to be in fluid communication. The second gas generator 20 may be a single inflator or may include two separate inflators, each one of which is one of the upper side airbags 32 assigned. The upper side airbags 32 are inflatable from a deflated position to an inflated position. The upper side airbags 32 can z. B. by seams with the respective lower side airbags 30 connected, z. B. sewn to be. Alternatively, the lower side airbags 30 as in the 11A-B shown to be the only set of side airbags.

The inflatable assembly 14 includes an upper airbag 34 by the seat 12 at the top 72 the backrest 16 is stored. The upper airbag 34 stands with the third gas generator 22 in fluid communication. The upper airbag 34 is inflatable from a deflated position to an inflated position.

A container 76 is on the upper airbag 34 attached. The container 76 can be flexible and made of a fabric. The container 76 can be a bag.

The inflatable assembly 14 includes a front airbag 36 in fluid communication with the upper airbag 34 , The front airbag 36 is in front of the upper airbag 34 and the backrest 16 inflatable. The front airbag 36 and the upper airbag 34 can be fluidly connected. The front airbag 36 may be inflatable from the deflated position down to the inflated position when the upper airbag 34 in the inflated position. The front airbag 36 can in the deflated position in the container 76 be arranged.

The inflatable assembly 14 includes a first inflatable tether 38 in communication with the fourth gas generator 24 , The first inflatable tether 38 extends over the front panel 62 the backrest 16 when he is puffed up. The first inflatable tether 38 extends from the left side panel 66 to the right side panel 68 , under the lower side airbags 30 the respective side panel 66 . 68 , The first inflatable tether 38 is with the pair of lower side airbags 30 and the pair of upper side airbags 32 z. B. connected by seams. The connections between the first inflatable tether 38 and the lower side airbags 30 and the upper side airbags 32 are strong enough to withstand a forward momentum from an occupant corresponding to the 50th percentile in stature during an impact test into a fixed barrier at 35 mph. The first inflatable tether 38 can with the upper airbag 34 be connected. The extension 74 the lower side airbag 30 may be different from the first inflatable tether 38 extend forward when both are inflated. The first inflatable tether 38 may be from a non-use position within the backrest 16 in an operational position, extending over the front fairing 62 the backrest 16 extends, be movable.

The inflatable assembly 14 includes a second inflatable tether 40 in communication with the fifth gas generator 26 , The second inflatable tether 40 extends over the front panel 62 the backrest 16 when inflated, and extends in front of the front airbag 36 when he is puffed up. The second inflatable tether 40 extends from the left side panel 66 to the right side panel 68 , The second inflatable tether 40 may be from a non-use position within the backrest 16 in an operational position, extending over the front fairing 62 the backrest 16 extends, be movable.

The inflatable assembly 14 includes a first inflatable tube 42 which is at the top of the range 72 the backrest is stored. The first inflatable tube 42 extends from the upper area 72 the backrest 16 to the first inflatable tether 38 , The first inflatable tube 42 stands with the sixth gas generator 28 in fluid communication. The inflatable assembly 14 can be more than a first inflatable tube 42 include, in which case the sixth gas generator 28 may include separate gas generators, each a respective one of the first inflatable tubes 42 assigned.

The inflatable assembly 14 includes a second inflatable tube 44 that is different from the first inflatable tether 38 to the second inflatable tether 40 extends. The second inflatable tube 44 is in fluid communication with the first inflatable tube 42 ie the inflation medium flows from the sixth gas generator 28 through the first inflatable tube 42 to the second inflatable tube 44 , The inflatable assembly 14 can have more than a second inflatable tube 44 included with the one or more first inflatable tubes 42 connected is.

The first inflatable tether 38 and the second inflatable tether 40 are connected, z. B. medium stitching 78 sewn together. The seams 78 can by inflating the second inflatable tube 44 tear. When the upper airbag 34 inflates, exerts the upper airbag 34 a release force on the first inflatable tether 38 and the second inflatable tether 40 and the separation force is greater than the elastic force of the seams 78 ,

An anchor hook 80 occurs with the second inflatable tether 40 engaged when the second inflatable tube 44 is inflated. A top of the anchor hook 80 can be angled down so that the second inflatable tether 40 behind the anchor hook 80 slides when moved down to the deployed position and a bottom of the anchor hook 80 may also be angled down to the second inflatable tether 40 to grab and prevent it from moving away from the deployment position.

The side panels 66 . 68 each contain a hem 82 that stretches along the first inflatable tether 38 extends in the non-use position. The hems 82 can be essentially vertical along each side panel 66 . 68 extend. The sections of the first inflatable tether 38 that are under the side panels 66 . 68 extend, extend substantially parallel to the hems 82 , The hems 82 can relative to the rest of the side panels 66 . 68 tear, ie at a lower tensile load than the tensile load at which the rest of the side panels 66 . 68 tears or separates, tears or separates. For example, the seams 82 each be a series of perforations, each may be a web of material that is thinner than the rest of the side panels 66 . 68 is etc. The hems 82 can by inflating the first inflatable tether 38 tear, ie the force of inflation of the first inflatable tether 38 can be greater than a stretching force of the hems 82 be.

The lower side airbags 30 are each located in a shaft 46 and the shaft 46 is rotatable on the seat 12 attached. Ends of the first inflatable tether 38 and the second inflatable tether 40 are in the shafts 46 arranged. The first inflatable tether 38 and the second inflatable tether 40 are detachable on the backrest 16 Sewn and extend from one of the shafts 46 to the top of the backrest 16 and from the top of the backrest 16 to the other of the shafts 46 ,

A vehicle 48 can be a controller 84 include. The control 84 is a microprocessor-based control. The control 84 includes a processor, a memory, etc. The memory of the controller 84 includes a memory for storing instructions executable by the processor and for electronically storing data and / or databases. The control 84 may be the same computer used for autonomous or semi-autonomous operation of the vehicle 48 is responsible, or the controller 84 can be another computer. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 84 be a restraint control module.

The control 84 Can signals over a communication network 86 such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, Ethernet, WiFi, a Local Interconnect Network (LIN), an on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) port, and / or any other wired or wireless communication network , The control 84 can over the communication network 84 with a crash sensor 88 and the gas generators 18 . 20 . 22 . 24 . 26 . 28 communicate. When receiving a signal, eg. B. from the controller 84 , blow the gas generators 18 . 20 . 22 . 24 . 26 . 28 the airbags on.

The impact sensor 88 is designed to impact the vehicle 48 to recognize. The impact sensor 88 may be of any suitable type, for example, post-impact sensors such as linear or transverse accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, and contact switches; and pre-impact sensors such as radar, lidar and Image sensor systems. The vision systems may include one or more cameras, CCD image sensors, CMOS image sensors, etc. The impact sensor 88 can be in many places in or on the vehicle 48 are located.

The progress of inflating the inflatable assembly is in the 2A-10B shown. The 2A and 2 B show the inflatable assembly 14 in the deflated position prior to impact detection. In operation, upon detection of an impact, the impact sensor transmits 88 over the communication network 86 a signal to the controller 84 , The control 84 has the sixth gas generator 28 on, the first inflatable tube 42 inflate, eliminating the front airbag 36 and the first and second inflatable tethers 38 . 40 be pushed forward, as in the 3A-5B is shown. At the same time or after, the controller indicates 84 the fourth gas generator 24 and the fifth gas generator 26 on, the first inflatable tether 38 or the second inflatable tether 40 inflate. The control 84 indicates the first gas generator 18 and the second gas generator 20 on, in each case the lower side airbags 30 and the upper side airbags 32 simultaneously with or after inflating the first inflatable tube 42 inflate. The following shows the controller 84 the third gas generator 22 on, the upper airbag 34 inflate. The front airbag 36 is by an inflation medium, that of the third gas generator 22 through the upper airbag 34 flows, inflated. The second inflatable tube 44 is by an inflation medium, that of the sixth gas generator 28 through the first inflatable tube 42 flows, inflated. The second inflatable tube 44 is in front of the front airbag 36 used a reaction force on the front airbag 36 when struck by the occupant. The control 84 is programmed to the gas generators 18 . 20 . 22 . 24 . 26 . 28 in the order described above.

The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be descriptive rather than limiting. In view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle seat assembly including a seat back including a left side trim and a right side trim opposite the left side trim; a left airbag inflatable from the left side panel to an inflated position; a right airbag inflatable from the right side panel to an inflated position; and a tether extending from the left side panel to the right side panel, wherein the tether is connected to the airbags.

In one embodiment, the tether is attached to the left side panel under the left airbag and to the right side panel below the right airbag.

In one embodiment, the backrest includes a front panel extending from the left side panel to the right side panel, and the tether extends over the front panel when the left airbag and the right airbag are in the inflated position.

According to one embodiment, the left airbag is an upper left airbag and the right airbag is an upper right airbag, the vehicle seat assembly further comprising a lower left airbag inflatable from the left side panel and disposed below the upper left airbag, and a lower right airbag comprising the right side panel inflatable and disposed below the upper right airbag comprises.

According to an embodiment, the upper left airbag and the lower left airbag are sewn together, and the upper right airbag and the lower right airbag are sewn together.

According to one embodiment, the tether is connected to the lower left airbag and the lower right airbag.

In one embodiment, the seatback includes an upper portion, the vehicle seat assembly further including an upper airbag that is inflatable forward of the upper portion relative to the seatback.

According to one embodiment, the tether is connected to the upper airbag.

According to one embodiment, the upper airbag is inflatable to an inflated position, the vehicle seat assembly further comprising a front airbag inflatable downwardly from the upper airbag when the upper airbag is in the inflated position.

According to one embodiment, the upper airbag is fluidly connected to the front airbag.

In one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a container coupled to one of the upper airbag and the tether, the front airbag being inflatable from a deflated position to an inflated position and the front airbag being in the deflated position is arranged in the container.

According to one embodiment, the tether is a first tether, the vehicle seat assembly further comprising a second tether extending from the left side panel to the right side panel.

According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a hook which is fixed relative to the backrest, wherein the second tether is movable from a non-use position to an insertion position and the second tether is in engagement with the hook in engagement.

According to one embodiment, the first tether and the second tether are inflatable.

In one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by seams connecting the first and second tethers, wherein the seams may tear by inflating the upper airbag.

According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a front airbag inflator fluidly connected to the front airbag, at least one side airbag inflator fluidly connected to the left airbag and the right airbag, and a controller adapted for communication to the front airbag Gas generator and the at least one side airbag inflator, characterized in that the controller is programmed to instruct the front airbag inflator to inflate after the at least one side airbag inflator has been instructed to inflate.

According to one embodiment, the tether is inflatable.

According to one embodiment, the left side panel and the right side panel each include a seam that extends along the tether and can tear by inflating the tether.

According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a seat surface coupled to the seat back and a rotation mechanism coupled to the seat surface and connectable to a floor, the rotation mechanism being rotatable about an axis transverse to the floor.

According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided with a floor; and a seat assembly including: a seat surface; a backrest coupled to the seat, the backrest including a left side trim and a right side trim opposite the left side trim; a rotating mechanism coupled to the seating surface and the bottom and rotatable about an axis transverse to the ground; a left airbag inflatable from the left side panel to an inflated position; a right airbag inflatable from the right side panel to an inflated position; and a tether extending from the left side panel to the right side panel, wherein the tether is connected to the airbags.

Claims (15)

A vehicle seat assembly comprising: a backrest including a left side trim and a right side trim opposite the left side trim; a left airbag inflatable from the left side panel to an inflated position; a right airbag inflatable from the right side panel to an inflated position; and a tether extending from the left side panel to the right side panel, the tether being connected to the airbags. Vehicle seat assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the tether is attached to the left side panel under the left airbag and to the right side panel under the right airbag. Vehicle seat assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the seatback includes a front panel extending from the left side panel to the right side panel, and the tether extends over the front panel when the left airbag and the right airbag are in the inflated position. Vehicle seat assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the left airbag is an upper left airbag and the right airbag is an upper right airbag, the vehicle seat assembly further comprising a lower left airbag inflatable from the left side panel and disposed below the upper left airbag, and a lower right airbag; which is inflatable from the right side panel and disposed below the upper right airbag. Vehicle seat assembly according to Claim 4 wherein the upper left airbag and the lower left airbag are sewn together and the upper right airbag and the lower right airbag are sewn together. Vehicle seat assembly according to Claim 4 wherein the tether is connected to the lower left airbag and the lower right airbag. Vehicle seat assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the backrest includes an upper portion, the vehicle seat assembly further comprising an upper airbag inflatable forwardly of the upper portion relative to the backrest. Vehicle seat assembly according to Claim 7 wherein the tether is connected to the upper airbag. Vehicle seat assembly according to Claim 8 wherein the upper airbag is inflatable to an inflated position, the vehicle seat assembly further comprising a front airbag inflatable downwardly from the upper airbag when the upper airbag is in the inflated position. Vehicle seat assembly according to Claim 9 wherein the upper airbag is fluidly connected to the front airbag. Vehicle seat assembly according to Claim 9 and further comprising a container connected to one of the upper airbag and the tether, wherein the front airbag is inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position and the front airbag is disposed in the uninflated position in the container. Vehicle seat assembly according to Claim 9 wherein the tether is a first tether, the vehicle seat assembly further comprising a second tether extending from the left side panel to the right side panel. Vehicle seat assembly according to Claim 9 , further comprising a front airbag inflator fluidly connected to the front airbag, at least one side airbag inflator fluidly connected to the left airbag and the right airbag, and a controller for communicating with the front airbag inflator and the at least one Side airbag inflator is coupled, wherein the controller is programmed to instruct inflate the front airbag inflator after the at least one side airbag inflator has been instructed to inflate. Vehicle seat assembly according to one of Claims 1 - 13 wherein the tether is inflatable. A vehicle comprising: a floor; and a seat assembly including: a seat; a backrest coupled to the seat, the backrest including a left side trim and a right side trim opposite the left side trim; a rotating mechanism coupled to the seating surface and the bottom and rotatable about an axis transverse to the ground; a left airbag inflatable from the left side panel to an inflated position; a right airbag inflatable from the right side panel to an inflated position; and a tether extending from the left side panel to the right side panel, the tether being connected to the airbags.

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