Vehicle including a system for preventing injury to an occupant's head and
neck during a rear impact includes a support structure for supporting the
occupant including an upper body support portion for supporting the
occupant's head and neck. The support structure has a deformable upper
body support portion which may be filled with a fluid such as air, liquid
or a gel and deforms during a rear impact to support the entire back,
neck and/or head of the occupant. The upper body support portion may be
moved to a support location, regardless of the detection of a crash (a
passive mode), or moved only prior to an anticipated impact as determined
by a crash sensor (an active mode).