Abstract: An airbag system for restraining a lower body of a vehicle occupant during a collision event and a method for deploying the same are disclosed. The airbag system includes a panel and a restraining airbag. The panel defines a support surface that is adapted to be deployed from a first configuration to a second configuration responsive to the collision event. In the first configuration, the panel forms part of an instrument panel of a vehicle and, in the second configuration, the panel is at least partially separated from the instrument panel of the vehicle. The restraining airbag is adapted to be deployed adjacent to the support surface of the panel between the support surface and the lower body of the vehicle occupant responsive to the collision event.

Abstract: Airbag systems for use in a vehicle that is operable in a manual-steering mode or an automated-steering mode are provided. In one embodiment, an airbag system includes a primary airbag installed in a dashboard of a vehicle. The primary airbag is configured to be deployed when a collision event is detected, and, when deployed, the primary airbag is configured to protect a person seated in a driver seat of the vehicle. the airbag system also includes an auxiliary airbag configured to be deployed when the collision event is detected. During operation of the vehicle in a manual-steering mode, the deployment of the auxiliary airbag is configured to reduce contact between the primary airbag and a steering wheel of the vehicle when the primary airbag is deployed from the dashboard.

Abstract: A clip assembly for holding a component during a vehicle assembly/disassembly process. This clip assembly includes a clip structure coupled to one of a component and an associated structure of a vehicle and a corresponding receptacle structure manufactured into the other of the component and the associated structure of the vehicle. When the clip structure is engaged with the corresponding receptacle structure, the clip assembly holds the component with respect to the associated structure along three (orthogonal) axes, preventing translation of the component with respect to the associated structure in one or both directions along each axis. Along one of the axes, the engagement of the clip structure with the corresponding receptacle structure can be overcome by the application of a sufficiently high force to the component, thereby disengaging the clip structure from the corresponding receptacle structure and the component from the associated structure.

Abstract: Airbag systems for use in a vehicle that is operable in a manual-steering mode or an automated-steering mode are provided. In one embodiment, an airbag system includes a primary airbag installed in a dashboard of a vehicle. The primary airbag is configured to be deployed when a collision event is detected, and, when deployed, the primary airbag is configured to protect a person seated in a driver seat of the vehicle. the airbag system also includes an auxiliary airbag configured to be deployed when the collision event is detected. During operation of the vehicle in a manual-steering mode, the deployment of the auxiliary airbag is configured to reduce contact between the primary airbag and a steering wheel of the vehicle when the primary airbag is deployed from the dashboard.

Abstract: Airbag systems for use in a vehicle that is operable in a manual-steering mode or an automated-steering mode are provided. In one embodiment, an airbag system includes a primary airbag installed in a dashboard of a vehicle. The primary airbag is configured to be deployed when a collision event is detected, and, when deployed, the primary airbag is configured to protect a person seated in a driver seat of the vehicle. the airbag system also includes an auxiliary airbag configured to be deployed when the collision event is detected. During operation of the vehicle in a manual-steering mode, the deployment of the auxiliary airbag is configured to reduce contact between the primary airbag and a steering wheel of the vehicle when the primary airbag is deployed from the dashboard.

Abstract: An airbag arrangement (3) for a vehicle (1). The airbag arrangement comprises an inflatable airbag (5) and an external extension control member (7) being operatively associated with said airbag. The airbag is adapted to be inflated in a longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle to a position between an interior portion (13) of the vehicle in front of a seated vehicle occupant (17) and an upper body region (19) of the seated vehicle occupant. The external extension control member has a selectable operative length (lo). The external extension control member controls deployment of the airbag by means of the selectable operative length. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising the airbag arrangement and a method for deploying an airbag of the airbag arrangement.

Abstract: An airbag system for restraining a lower body of a vehicle occupant during a collision event and a method for deploying the same are disclosed. The airbag system includes a panel and a restraining airbag. The panel defines a support surface that is adapted to be deployed from a first configuration to a second configuration responsive to the collision event. In the first configuration, the panel forms part of an instrument panel of a vehicle and, in the second configuration, the panel is at least partially separated from the instrument panel of the vehicle. The restraining airbag is adapted to be deployed adjacent to the support surface of the panel between the support surface and the lower body of the vehicle occupant responsive to the collision event.

Abstract: A seat belt anchorage assembly adapted to be coupled to an interior structure (e.g., a seat) of a vehicle, including: a seat belt attachment point adapted to receive one of a seat belt retention assembly and a seat belt buckle assembly; a translation mechanism coupled to the seat belt attachment point and adapted to translate the seat belt attachment point one or more of forwards and downwards with respect to the interior structure (e.g., the seat) of the vehicle responsive to a seat back of the vehicle being reclined. Optionally, the translation mechanism includes a mechanical linkage coupled between the seat back and the seat belt attachment point. Alternatively, the translation mechanism includes an electronic actuator coupled between the seat back and the seat belt attachment point.

Abstract: A present implementation of an airbag system is adapted to include a curtain airbag assembly having a vertical barrier extended in a vertical direction when deployed, the vertical barrier having a first inflatable part deployed at a left side of a vehicle and a second inflatable deployed at a right side of the vehicle. The airbag system further includes sensors adapted to sense parameters associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle and an electronic control unit (ECU) adapted to receive the parameters from the sensors. The ECU is further adapted to monitor the plurality of parameters to determine if the vehicle is experiencing an accident. The airbag system further includes an inflation module adapted to deploy the curtain airbag assembly. If the ECU determines that an accident is occurring, the ECU provides a trigger signal to the inflation module to initiate a process to deploy the curtain airbag assembly.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a position of a vehicle seat from a reclined position to a pre-determinable safety position. The method includes detecting an imminent or ongoing frontal or semi-frontal collision, pretensioning a seat belt associated with the vehicle seat, the seat belt being directly or indirectly attached to a backrest of the vehicle seat, and adjusting the position of the vehicle seat from the reclined position to the pre-determinable safety position by means of a seat adjustment means associated with the vehicle seat, the seat adjustment means being actuated by a collision force generated by the imminent or ongoing frontal or semi-frontal collision and applied via a seat occupant and/or the seat belt to the vehicle seat. The present invention also relates to an occupant safety arrangement for a vehicle seat.

Abstract: A knee airbag arrangement for a vehicle. The knee airbag arrangement includes an inflatable airbag and an external tether. The airbag is adapted to be inflated to a position between an instrument panel of the vehicle and a knee/shin region of a vehicle occupant. The knee airbag is adapted to form a first deployment mode or a second deployment mode when in a deployed state. The external tether controls deployment of the airbag to the second deployment mode. The depth (D2) of the airbag in the second deployment mode is greater than a depth (D1) of the knee airbag in the first deployment mode. A depth of the airbag in a deployed state is a greatest extent of the airbag perpendicular to the instrument panel in the knee/shin region.

Abstract: Airbag systems for use in a vehicle that is operable in a manual-steering mode or an automated-steering mode are provided. In one embodiment, an airbag system includes a primary airbag installed in a dashboard of a vehicle. The primary airbag is configured to be deployed when a collision event is detected, and, when deployed, the primary airbag is configured to protect a person seated in a driver seat of the vehicle. the airbag system also includes an auxiliary airbag configured to be deployed when the collision event is detected. During operation of the vehicle in a manual-steering mode, the deployment of the auxiliary airbag is configured to reduce contact between the primary airbag and a steering wheel of the vehicle when the primary airbag is deployed from the dashboard.

Abstract: A knee airbag arrangement for a vehicle. The knee airbag arrangement includes an inflatable airbag. The airbag is adapted to be inflated to a position between an instrument panel of the vehicle and a knee/shin region of a vehicle occupant. A depth (D1, D2) of the airbag in a deployed state is a greatest extent of the airbag perpendicular to the instrument panel in the knee/shin region. The airbag is adapted to form a first deployment mode or a second deployment mode when in a deployed state. The depth of the airbag in the second deployment mode is greater than a depth of the airbag in the first deployment mode.

Abstract: A present implementation of an airbag system is adapted to include a curtain airbag assembly having a vertical barrier extended in a vertical direction when deployed, the vertical barrier having a first inflatable part deployed at a left side of a vehicle and a second inflatable deployed at a right side of the vehicle. The airbag system further includes sensors adapted to sense parameters associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle and an electronic control unit (ECU) adapted to receive the parameters from the sensors. The ECU is further adapted to monitor the plurality of parameters to determine if the vehicle is experiencing an accident. The airbag system further includes an inflation module adapted to deploy the curtain airbag assembly. If the ECU determines that an accident is occurring, the ECU provides a trigger signal to the inflation module to initiate a process to deploy the curtain airbag assembly.

Abstract: A seat belt anchorage assembly adapted to be coupled to an interior structure (e.g., a seat) of a vehicle, including: a seat belt attachment point adapted to receive one of a seat belt retention assembly and a seat belt buckle assembly; a translation mechanism coupled to the seat belt attachment point and adapted to translate the seat belt attachment point one or more of forwards and downwards with respect to the interior structure (e.g., the seat) of the vehicle responsive to a seat back of the vehicle being reclined. Optionally, the translation mechanism includes a mechanical linkage coupled between the seat back and the seat belt attachment point. Alternatively, the translation mechanism includes an electronic actuator coupled between the seat back and the seat belt attachment point.

Abstract: A clip assembly for holding a component during a vehicle assembly/disassembly process. This clip assembly includes a clip structure coupled to one of a component and an associated structure of a vehicle and a corresponding receptacle structure manufactured into the other of the component and the associated structure of the vehicle. When the clip structure is engaged with the corresponding receptacle structure, the clip assembly holds the component with respect to the associated structure along three (orthogonal) axes, preventing translation of the component with respect to the associated structure in one or both directions along each axis. Along one of the axes, the engagement of the clip structure with the corresponding receptacle structure can be overcome by the application of a sufficiently high force to the component, thereby disengaging the clip structure from the corresponding receptacle structure and the component from the associated structure.

Abstract: An airbag arrangement (3) for a vehicle (1). The airbag arrangement comprises an inflatable airbag (5) and an external extension control member (7) being operatively associated with said airbag. The airbag is adapted to be inflated in a longitudinal direction (x) of the vehicle to a position between an interior portion (13) of the vehicle in front of a seated vehicle occupant (17) and an upper body region (19) of the seated vehicle occupant. The external extension control member has a selectable operative length (lo). The external extension control member controls deployment of the airbag by means of the selectable operative length. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising the airbag arrangement and a method for deploying an airbag of the airbag arrangement.

Abstract: A knee airbag arrangement for a vehicle. The knee airbag arrangement includes an inflatable airbag and an external tether. The airbag is adapted to be inflated to a position between an instrument panel of the vehicle and a knee/shin region of a vehicle occupant. The knee airbag is adapted to form a first deployment mode or a second deployment mode when in a deployed state. The external tether controls deployment of the airbag to the second deployment mode. The depth (D2) of the airbag in the second deployment mode is greater than a depth (D1) of the knee airbag in the first deployment mode. A depth of the airbag in a deployed state is a greatest extent of the airbag perpendicular to the instrument panel in the knee/shin region.

Abstract: A knee airbag arrangement for a vehicle. The knee airbag arrangement includes an inflatable airbag. The airbag is adapted to be inflated to a position between an instrument panel of the vehicle and a knee/shin region of a vehicle occupant. A depth (D1, D2) of the airbag in a deployed state is a greatest extent of the airbag perpendicular to the instrument panel in the knee/shin region. The airbag is adapted to form a first deployment mode or a second deployment mode when in a deployed state. The depth of the airbag in the second deployment mode is greater than a depth of the airbag in the first deployment mode.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a position of a vehicle seat from a reclined position to a pre-determinable safety position. The method includes detecting an imminent or ongoing frontal or semi-frontal collision, pretensioning a seat belt associated with the vehicle seat, the seat belt being directly or indirectly attached to a backrest of the vehicle seat, and adjusting the position of the vehicle seat from the reclined position to the pre-determinable safety position by means of a seat adjustment means associated with the vehicle seat, the seat adjustment means being actuated by a collision force generated by the imminent or ongoing frontal or semi-frontal collision and applied via a seat occupant and/or the seat belt to the vehicle seat. The present invention also relates to an occupant safety arrangement for a vehicle seat.