Abstract: An automotive armrest includes an elastic core defining a patterned array of channels extending therethrough such that the elastic core exhibits a predetermined target vertical stiffness and a predetermined target lateral stiffness different than the predetermined target vertical stiffness. The automotive armrest also includes a skin arranged with the elastic core.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a bumper. The vehicle includes a pair of swing arms. The vehicle includes a beam pivotally supported by the swing arms. The vehicle includes a crossmember fixed to the beam and movable from a retracted position toward the bumper to an extended position. The vehicle includes a lock operatively engaging one of the swing arms when the crossmember is in the extended position.

Abstract: A component, e.g., a bumper assembly, of a vehicle includes a fascia spaced from a bumper beam, a structure defining gaps between the structure and the bumper beam and between the structure and the fascia, and a computer programmed to supply electrical current to vary a stiffness of the structure in response to a vehicle speed beyond a threshold.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a base, a spool, a cylinder, a transfer plate, and a cylinder lock. The spool is rotatably coupled to the base and has a piston portion. The cylinder is engaged with the piston portion and therewith defines a chamber. The piston portion is movable from a first position to a second position. The transfer plate is translateably disposed in the first chamber. The cylinder lock in a first condition rotatably fixes the cylinder to the base. Damping fluid is in the chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat pan operably coupled to a seatback. The vehicle seating assembly further includes a restraint bar coupled to the seatback and operable between a first position and a second position. The restraint bar is equipped with at least one deployable occupant restraint and the restraint bar is generally U-shaped.

Abstract: A vehicle includes first and second roof rails spaced from each other, and a forward member and rearward member connected to each other and each extending from the first roof rail to the second roof rail. The forward member includes a beam and a finger. The finger is on the first roof rail and extends from the beam away from the rearward member.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly includes a support beam and an exterior panel. The instrument panel assembly includes an energy absorbing device between the support beam and the exterior panel and having a variable crush resistance based on a temperature of the energy absorbing device. The instrument panel assembly includes a heater operatively coupled to the energy absorbing device.

Abstract: A seatbelt latch plate assembly includes a latch plate, a D-ring, and a pivot stop. The D-ring is pivotably connected to the latch plate. The pivot stop is disposed between and rotatably fixes the latch plate to the D-ring. The pivot stop includes a deformable element. The deformable element is deformable at a predetermined pivot torque between the D-ring and the plate.

Abstract: A vehicle component may include a crossbeam, a cylinder, a piston, a panel, and a heterogeneous mixture. The cylinder has a chamber and is fixed relative to the crossbeam. The piston is linearly movable in the chamber. The panel is fixed relative to the piston. The heterogeneous mixture is enclosed by the piston in the chamber. The heterogeneous mixture includes hydrophobic nanoporous particles and a liquid.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a base, a spool, a cylinder, a sleeve and a cylinder lock. The spool is rotatably coupled to the base and has a piston portion. A smaller initialization piston extends from the piston portion. The cylinder is engaged with the piston portion and therewith defines a first chamber. The sleeve is within the cylinder and receives the initialization piston. The sleeve and the initialization piston define an initialization chamber. The cylinder lock in a first condition rotatably fixes the cylinder to the base. Damping fluid is disposed in the chamber.

Abstract: A restraint system includes a seatback an airbag. The airbag includes two lateral portions and a central chamber connecting the lateral portions. When the airbag is inflated, each lateral portion includes a plurality of lateral chambers arranged consecutively from the seatback to the central chamber, and the lateral portions and central chamber define a gap positioned directly above and directly in front of space for a head of a 50th-percentile dummy sitting against the seatback.

Abstract: A restraint system includes a seat and a seat airbag supported by the seat and inflatable to an inflated position. The restraint system includes an instrument panel and a forward airbag supported by the instrument panel and inflatable to an inflated position. When the seat airbag is in the inflated position and the forward airbag is in the inflated position, the seat airbag extends from the seat to the forward airbag.

Abstract: An airbag assembly includes a base, an airbag supported by the base and defining an inflation chamber, an external tether, and an internal tether. The airbag includes a panel and an extension extending transverse to the panel. The panel includes an internal surface facing the inflation chamber and an external surface facing away from the inflation chamber. The external tether extends from the extension to the external surface of the panel. The internal tether extends from the base to the internal surface of the panel. During a vehicle impact, the momentum of the occupant may move the occupant towards the extension. The extension may absorb energy from the occupant and reduce or prevent the head of the occupant from sliding across the panel and/or rotating.

Abstract: A restraint system includes a housing, a spool rotatably coupled to the housing, a pinion fixed to the spool, a rack engaged with the pinion, and a piston attached to the rack and the housing. The piston is filled with a resilient material. The resilient material may be a heterogeneous mixture of a liquid and hydrophobic, nanoporous particles.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rail, a bumper, and an impact absorber. The rail defines a keyed orifice. The impact absorber has a primary tube secured to the rail and bumper. The impact absorber also has a secondary tube that is rotatably secured and concentric to the primary tube. The secondary tube has a radially extending protrusion. The secondary tube is configured to slide into the orifice during an impact when the protrusion and orifice are aligned and to engage the rail during an impact when the protrusion and orifice are not aligned.

Abstract: An assembly includes a base and a seatbelt anchor. The seatbelt anchor has a first end defining a circular hole pivotally supported by the base and a second end fixed in position relative to the first end. The assembly includes a buckle fixed in position relative to the second end. The assembly includes a pyrotechnic actuator secured to the base. The assembly includes a connector extending from the pyrotechnic actuator to the seatbelt anchor.

Abstract: A system includes an injector including a robotic arm and a heated chamber. The injector includes a material feed and a heating element. The robotic arm is arranged to deposit the material feed onto a vehicle component in the heated chamber.

Abstract: A seatbelt latch plate assembly includes a latch plate, a D-ring, and a pivot stop. The D-ring is pivotably connected to the latch plate. The pivot stop is disposed between and rotatably fixes the latch plate to the D-ring. The pivot stop includes a deformable element. The deformable element is deformable at a predetermined pivot torque between the D-ring and the plate.

Abstract: A restraint system includes a housing and a rotor engaged with the housing. The housing and the rotor define a cavity therebetween. A resilient material is disposed in the cavity. A helical interface is between the housing and the rotor. The rotor is moveable relative to the housing along the helical interface. A seat belt buckle is connected to and moveable relative to one of the housing and the rotor. During a vehicle impact, the seat belt buckle may cause the rotor to move along the helical interface towards the housing. In this situation, the resilient material may be compressed between the rotor and the housing.

Abstract: A restraint system for a vehicle includes a floor, a platform, and a deployable device. A hinge couples the platform to the floor. The deployable device is inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position. A material forming the platform is stiffer than a material forming the deployable device.