Abstract: A seat belt restraint system for securing a child seat on a vehicle passenger seat in a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle. The system includes a seat belt tension sensor located between one end of a seat belt for the child seat. A releasable mini-buckle attaches the seat belt end to the seat belt tension sensor. The seat belt tension sensor is anchored to a structural floor of the passenger compartment whereby the seat belt tension sensor can be removed readily from the restraint system for servicing.

Abstract: A device for deploying the hood of an automotive vehicle upwardly in the event of impact with a pedestrian includes a hinge assembly secured to the vehicle structure below the trailing edge of the hood and a guide track extending forwardly. A hinge arm has a pivot end rotatably connected to the hood adjacent the trailing edge and a slide end engaging the track for movement therealong. A pyrotechnically powered actuator is mounted on the body structure in front of the hinge assembly and engages the hinge arm, the actuator having a retracted condition wherein the hinge arm is in the normal operating position and movable to an extended condition to urge the hinge arm to the raised position, the actuator acting along a line of action generally parallel with the track. During normal vehicle operations, the piston is retracted, the hinge arm slide end is adjacent the forward end of the track, and the pivot end is engaged with the retaining member permitting normal opening and closing of the hood.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for permitting a host automotive vehicle to avoid or mitigate the consequences of a collision between the host vehicle and a target automotive vehicle by using a combination of radar derived target information and transponder information. The host vehicle is equipped with a radar system operative detect the target vehicle and generate target data, and a computer which determines a likelihood of collision with target vehicle. If the likelihood of collision is above a certain level, the computer directs the radar system to transmit a directional interrogation system toward the target vehicle. The target vehicle is equipped with one or more transponders that receive the interrogation signal and respond by transmitting a response signal containing information indicating various dynamic and/or static characteristics of the target vehicle. The response signal is received by the host vehicle and is decoded to extract the target vehicle information.

Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for a motor vehicle includes left and right A-pillar covers hingingly attached to respective A-pillars. The A-pillar covers have a retracted condition wherein they lie close to respective vehicle A-pillars, and are movable to a deployed condition wherein they are spaced forwardly from the respective A-pillars. In the deployed condition, the A-pillar covers are able to deform and/or move rearward when struck by a pedestrian so as to absorb impact energy and thereby lessen the likelihood and/or severity of injury, as compared with direct impact with a conventional, stationary A-pillar. An actuator system includes a contact or non-contact sensor for indicating an actual or imminent collision with a pedestrian, and pyrotechnic devices that urge the A-pillar covers to the deployed condition prior to a pedestrian impact with the A-pillar covers. The hood and/or windshield may also deploy to a pedestrian-friendly position in conjunction with deployment of the A-pillar covers.

Abstract: A device for raising the hood of an automotive vehicle to increase the amount of space between the hood and underhood components to increase the energy absorbed by the hood during collision with a pedestrian. A pivot secured to the vehicle body structure engages a slot in a hinge secured to the hood. During normal vehicle operation, the pin is retained in a pin retention pocket at an upper end of the slot, and the slot narrows at a neck portion immediately below the pin retention pocket to prevent the hood from being lifted upwardly. A powered deployment cylinder is activated by a pedestrian impact detection system and urges the hood and the hinge upward relative to the body structure, the pivot sliding downward in the slot. The cylinder applies sufficient upward force to hood and/or hinge to force the pivot through the neck portion of the slot.

Abstract: A powered liftgate actuation system for a vehicle in which opening and/or closing of the liftgate is inhibited if the vehicle is positioned too close to an obstruction for unobstructed movement of the liftgate. Non-contact ranging sensors are mounted to the vehicle and directed rearward to detect a clearance distance between the vehicle and an obstruction, and a control circuit for the motor inhibits actuation of the motor by a remote control unit if the ranging sensors indicates the clearance distance is less than the distance by which the liftgate extends beyond the rear of the vehicle. The control circuit has an override feature allowing the remote control unit to be used to actuate the motor and open the liftgate in spite of the ranging sensor indicating the clearance distance is too small. The ranging sensors may also serve as a component of a backup aid warning system used to detect obstructions located behind the vehicle while the vehicle transmission is in a reverse gear position.

Abstract: A system for determining the alertness of a driver of a vehicle by monitoring the driver's seated posture. A pressure sensor array disposed in or on the seat produces output signals that indicate the pattern of pressure exerted by the driver's body at a plurality of points distributed over the seat surface. A microprocessor-based alertness evaluation module receives pressure pattern data from the sensor array and uses neural network processing techniques to determine a probable driver alertness level based upon changes in the pattern of pressure. The sensor array may also be used to supply data to an occupant restraint system control module. Using the sensor for two purposes avoids the additional cost of providing a dedicated alertness sensor is avoided.

Abstract: A steering wheel airbag assembly (1) for a motor vehicle with a driver airbag module (2), in which the module snaps into an aligned engagement with the steering wheel during manufacture of the steering wheel. The assembly (1) includes an airbag supporting portion (4) with a plurality of apertures therein (21,31,41) and a driver airbag module (2) attached to the supporting portion (4) and having a plurality of legs (14,15,16), each of which extends slidingly into a corresponding aperture (21,31,41) being movable towards and away from the supporting portion (4). Engagement barbs (24) between each leg (14,15,16) and aperture (21,31,41) limits said movement and keeps the module (2) and supporting portion (4) attached. A spring (19) between the module (2) and the supporting portion (4) spring biases the module away from the supporting portion (4).

Abstract: A system for monitoring the secured/unsecured status of seat belts in rear seating rows of a vehicle notes the number and/or location of seat belts secured at a base time when all doors are closed and the vehicle starts in motion. The vehicle operator is alerted to any later change in the number of secured belts by a visual display provided by a vehicle message center and/or an audible signal. When the vehicle slows to a stop and a door opens, the number of secured belts is reset to allow continued monitoring of rear seat occupants after occupants are dropped off and/or picked up. The secured/unsecured condition may be determined by monitoring a retractor reel of the seat belt, the secured condition being defined by the seat belt being paid out beyond a threshold length and the unsecured condition being defined by the seat belt being retracted shorter than the threshold length.

Abstract: A method for multi-directional anticipatory arming of restraint systems in a motor vehicle includes the steps of monitoring outputs from impact radar sensors located on the vehicle. The method also includes the steps of determining whether an impact range is less than a predetermined value, obtaining a closing velocity (CV), and determining a supervisory time window (STW). The method further includes the steps of determining whether at least one of the CV and STW are within predetermined limits and setting a velocity arming flag to activation of the restraint systems if the CV and STW are within the predetermined limits.

Abstract: An inflatable passenger restraint system for use in an automotive vehicle having a passenger seat airbag and seat belt provides positive confirmation to the vehicle driver that the airbag is disabled when a light-weight child carrier seat is secured in the passenger seat using the seat belt. The system includes an occupant classification system such as a weight sensor and/or a non-contact occupancy sensor, and a seat belt buckle condition sensor for detecting whether the seat belt is fastened or unfastened. An airbag control module receives inputs from the occupant classification system and alternatively arms or disarms the passenger airbag in response thereto. An airbag condition indicator alerts the vehicle driver when the passenger seat airbag is disarmed because it is considered to be “unoccupied” and the seat belt is fastened.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger safety restraint arrangement where an inflatable cushion mounted in a vehicle roof is operatively connected to an inflator which inflates the inflatable cushion in the event of an accident. The inflator is conveniently positioned in the roof space adjacent to the front reinforcement rail and can be attached to the rail by a deformable bracket so that the inflator may move relative to the bracket to soften the impact if a passenger collides with the inflator during an accident.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes a restraint curtain stowed adjacent a roof rail of the vehicle to deploy downwardly adjacent the side wall of the vehicle. The curtain is formed with a slit extending from a lower edge upwardly toward an upper edge to divide the curtain into first and second sections. A short, rod-like connecting member is attached to the curtain adjacent the lower edge and spans the slit, tying the first and second sections together. A ring encircles the connecting member and a flexible tether is attached to the ring. The end of the tether opposite the ring is slidingly engaged with a guide track disposed on a pillar extending downwardly from the vehicle roof. The curtain is placed in the stowed condition by rolling it in a spiral fashion, starting at the lower edge and rolling toward the upper edge in a direction parallel to the slit so that the connecting members remain accessible through the slit even in the stowed condition.

Abstract: A pedestrian safety device for automotive vehicles with a deployable hood consists of a pedestrian safety module beneath the leading edge of the hood, and a hinge assembly at the trailing edge of the hood. The hood is latched to the module. In case of a pedestrian impact at the leading edge of the hood the module is mechanically released to rotate, so that the hood is lowered at the leading edge. Simultaneously the rotational impulse of the hood is used to uplift the trailing edge of the hood. A two bar link at the rear hinge assembly is released by the hood impulse and enables uplifting of the trailing edge of the hood, and locks the hood in a deployed position.