Abstract: A belly pan is provided for a motor vehicle. The belly pan includes a body having at least one stiffener with a forwardmost zone of peak section force F1, an intermediate zone of peak section force F2 and a rearwardmost zone of peak section force F3 where F1<F2<F3. Advantageously, the belly pan functions to provide pedestrian protection while simultaneously limiting vehicle damage resulting from a low-speed collision.

Abstract: A supplemental load transfer system for a vehicle includes a vehicle kick-up cross-member and a door trim panel configured to attach to a vehicle door member. The door trim panel includes a pusher disposed to transfer an impact load to the kick-up cross-member. The pusher may be configured as a matrix formed by a plurality of columns and substantially orthogonal connecting ribs to define a plurality of receivers. One or more of the receivers may be at least partially filled with a load-transferring substrate. The one or more receivers may be disposed at a bottom portion of the pusher. One or more columns of the plurality of columns may be oriented whereby an impact-receiving end and an impact-transmitting end of the pusher define different surface areas.

Abstract: A floor mat is provided for a motor vehicle. The floor mat includes a debris pan and a debris retaining wall encompassing the debris pan. In addition, the floor mat includes an integral heel blocker within the debris retaining wall that is adapted to protect the feet, heels and lower legs of an operator of a motor vehicle in the event of a frontal collision.

Abstract: An airbag includes a first side panel, a second side panel, a middle panel, and at least one extension. In the inflated position, the first side panel and the second side panel are spaced from each other by the middle panel, the middle panel having a top and a bottom, and a centerline between the first and the second side panels. The at least one extension is connected to at least one of the first side panel and the bottom of the middle panel, and is extendable in a direction away from the top of the middle panel in a deployed position.

Abstract: A supplemental load transfer system for a vehicle includes a vehicle kick-up cross-member and a door trim panel configured to attach to a vehicle door member. The door trim panel includes a pusher disposed to transfer an impact load to the kick-up cross-member. The pusher may be configured as a matrix formed by a plurality of columns and substantially orthogonal connecting ribs to define a plurality of receivers. One or more of the receivers may be at least partially filled with a load-transferring substrate. The one or more receivers may be disposed at a bottom portion of the pusher. One or more columns of the plurality of columns may be oriented whereby an impact-receiving end and an impact-transmitting end of the pusher define different surface areas.

Abstract: An airbag includes a first side panel, a second side panel, a middle panel, and at least one extension. In the inflated position, the first side panel and the second side panel are spaced from each other by the middle panel, the middle panel having a top and a bottom, and a centerline between the first and the second side panels. The at least one extension is connected to at least one of the first side panel and the bottom of the middle panel, and is extendable in a direction away from the top of the middle panel in a deployed position.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor panel, a door frame, a cross-member, and a load transmittal bracket. The door frame and the cross-member are fixed relative to the floor panel. The door frame defines a door opening. The load transmittal bracket is disposed between the door opening and the cross-member. The load transmittal bracket includes a second segment welded to a first segment and to the floor panel. During a side impact of the vehicle, the load transmittal bracket transfers impact force from the door frame to the cross-member to dissipate the impact force and reduce deformation of the floor.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor panel, a door frame, a cross-member, and a load transmittal bracket. The door frame and the cross-member are fixed relative to the floor panel. The door frame defines a door opening. The load transmittal bracket is disposed between the door opening and the cross-member. The load transmittal bracket includes a second segment welded to a first segment and to the floor panel. During a side impact of the vehicle, the load transmittal bracket transfers impact force from the door frame to the cross-member to dissipate the impact force and reduce deformation of the floor.

Abstract: A vehicle sill reinforcement includes a first elongate member and a second elongate member. Each of the first elongate member and the second elongate member includes steps and walls disposed in alternating arrangement along an axis. The walls of the first elongate member are fixed to the walls of the second elongate member. The steps of the first elongate member and the steps of the second elongate member are aligned along the axis and define cavities therebetween. The steps and walls of the sill reinforcement resist buckling in response to both vertical and horizontal components of impact force applied to the sill reinforcement.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a load-transmittal system for a vehicle includes a cross member of a vehicle frame extending substantially perpendicular to a vehicle door. A pusher is disposed within a cavity defined between inner and outer sheet metal panels of the vehicle door, wherein the pusher is disposed distal from the cross member to define an idle state. A container receptacle is disposed between the pusher and the cross member, wherein the container receptacle defines a transmittal zone of the vehicle door. When the vehicle door experiences a side-impact load, the side-impact load moves the pusher through the transmittal zone and into at least partial engagement with the cross member to define a collapsed position of the pusher. In this manner, the side-impact load is transferred through the pusher to the cross member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-chambered airbag system employing the use of baffle vents to achieve pressure differentials between the different chambers and methods of using the same.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a bumper assembly of a vehicle includes a plunger. A deformable wall extends along an axis and defines a cavity for receiving the plunger during relative movement between the plunger and the deformable wall resulting from impact between the bumper assembly and another object. A ledge is fixed to the deformable wall and extends between the cavity and the plunger for collapsing the deformable wall into the cavity. The deformable wall collapses inwardly to eliminate material stack up to accommodate packaging restraints in the design of the bumper assembly.

Abstract: A seat includes a seat back having a frame and a cover, an impact absorbing device, and an actuator in communication with the impact absorbing device. The impact absorbing device is movable from a stowed position to a deployed position. The impact absorbing device includes a base connected to the frame, a panel adjacent to the cover in the stowed position and spaced from the cover in the deployed position, and an intermediate portion connected to the base and the panel. The intermediate portion defines a chamber between the base and the panel. The intermediate portion has a portion thickness and the panel has a panel thickness greater than the portion thickness.

Abstract: A vehicle sill reinforcement includes a first elongate member and a second elongate member. Each of the first elongate member and the second elongate member includes steps and walls disposed in alternating arrangement along an axis. The walls of the first elongate member are fixed to the walls of the second elongate member. The steps of the first elongate member and the steps of the second elongate member are aligned along the axis and define cavities therebetween. The steps and walls of the sill reinforcement resist buckling in response to both vertical and horizontal components of impact force applied to the sill reinforcement.

Abstract: A tire rotation blocking apparatus is disclosed for preventing a front tire of a vehicle from moving toward a passenger compartment in a small offset rigid barrier front-end collision. In one embodiment, an elongated bar is received by a plurality of guide members that each define an aperture extending in a longitudinal direction and that are fixedly attached to the vehicle. An actuator, such as a pyrotechnic device, is operatively connected to the bar to drive the bar longitudinally between the wheel and the passenger compartment in a front-end collision. In another embodiment, the actuator includes a spring attached to the bar, or blocker, that is released to drive the bar in a forward longitudinal direction. At least one stop engages the bar to hold the bar in the blocking position between the wheel and the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor panel, a door frame, a cross-member, and a load transmittal bracket. The door frame and the cross-member are fixed relative to the floor panel. The door frame defines a door opening. The load transmittal bracket is disposed between the door opening and the cross-member. The load transmittal bracket includes a second segment welded to a first segment and to the floor panel. During a side impact of the vehicle, the load transmittal bracket transfers impact force from the door frame to the cross-member to dissipate the impact force and reduce deformation of the floor.

Abstract: An airbag system for a vehicle includes an inflator and an airbag defining an inflation chamber in communication with the inflator. The airbag includes a first extension and a second extension spaced from each other and each in communication with the inflation chamber. The first extension and the second extension are each selectively inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position. A controller is programmed to provide instructions to release one or both of the first and second extensions to the deployed position in response at least to a detected direction of an impact of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle sill reinforcement includes a first elongate member and a second elongate member. Each of the first elongate member and the second elongate member includes steps and walls disposed in alternating arrangement along an axis. The walls of the first elongate member are fixed to the walls of the second elongate member. The steps of the first elongate member and the steps of the second elongate member are aligned along the axis and define cavities therebetween. The steps and walls of the sill reinforcement resist buckling in response to both vertical and horizontal components of impact force applied to the sill reinforcement.

Abstract: An airbag system for a vehicle includes an inflator and an airbag defining an inflation chamber in communication with the inflator. The airbag includes a first extension and a second extension spaced from each other and each in communication with the inflation chamber. The first extension and the second extension are each selectively inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position. A controller is programmed to provide instructions to release one or both of the first and second extensions to the deployed position in response at least to a detected direction of an impact of the vehicle.

Abstract: An airbag includes a primary portion and a secondary portion. The primary portion defines a first chamber and the secondary portion defines a second chamber fluidly connected to the first chamber. The primary portion further defines a center axis and the secondary portion is disposed at least partially along the center axis. In its unexpanded state, the airbag may be disposed under an instrument cluster.