Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a housing and a spool supported by the housing. Webbing is wound around the spool. A webbing engagement member is supported by the housing and is movable to a locked position engaged with the webbing for preventing movement of the webbing relative to webbing engagement member. An activating device is slideably supported by the housing and is slideably engageable with the webbing engagement member for moving the webbing locking device to the locked position. In the locked position, the webbing locking device prevents the webbing from being fed from the spool, thus preventing any slack in the webbing on the spool from being fed out when the webbing locking device is in the locked position.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicular armrest substrate includes load-bearing strips extending across a gap defined within a support frame. A first tunable element secures the load-bearing strips in a support position on the support frame. A first tension-adjusting portion sets a predetermined first tension limit of the first tunable element. The load-bearing strips disengage from the support position when the first tunable element experiences an actual tension greater than the predetermined first tension limit.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicular armrest substrate includes load-bearing strips extending across a gap defined within a support frame. A first tunable element secures the load-bearing strips in a support position on the support frame. A first tension-adjusting portion sets a predetermined first tension limit of the first tunable element. The load-bearing strips disengage from the support position when the first tunable element experiences an actual tension greater than the predetermined first tension limit.

Abstract: A method may be performed by a sensor arrangement and a controller. The method may include capturing, by the sensor arrangement, data indicative of anthropometric characteristics of an expected 3rd row passenger prior to the passenger entering a vehicle. The method may also include deploying, by a controller, a 3rd row seat and moving a 2nd row seat prior to the expected 3rd row passenger entering the vehicle to a riding position that is based on the characteristics and 2nd row passenger data. The sensor arrangement may include an optical sensor arrangement such as used in a blind-spot detection system for a vehicle.

Abstract: Electronic pedal control systems and methods for a vehicle are provided. One electronic pedal control system includes a first sensor configured to produce a first output corresponding to a user applied force and a second sensor configured to produce a second output corresponding to a release of user applied force. A controller is configured to receive the first output and the second output and to control one of a brake system, a clutch system, and a throttle system of the vehicle based on the first and second outputs, and the first and second sensors are positioned relative to one another such that an application of force to the first sensor unloads the second sensor and the removal of force from the first sensor loads the second sensor.

Abstract: A seatbelt payout measuring device with a rewind spring having a first end connected to a center spool and a second end connected to a rewind spring housing. A dielectric material layered immediately adjacent to the rewind spring forming a first layer and an electrolytic coil with dielectric material layered on both sides forming a second layer, isolating the rewind spring from the electrolytic coil. A capacitive measuring device having a first lead connected to the first end of the rewind spring and a second lead connected to a first end of the electrolytic coil. The capacitive measuring device measuring capacitance with belt pullout.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel, a front airbag, a first side curtain airbag, and a second side curtain airbag and two front seats. The front seats are disposed between the first side curtain airbag and the second side curtain airbag. The vehicle includes a roof, and the front airbag is supported by the roof. The front airbag extends from the first side curtain airbag to the second side curtain airbag between the instrument panel and the front seats to absorb energy from occupants during an impact event to reduce the likelihood of head injury and to urge the occupants to remain seated in an upright position to reduce chest loading by seat belts. The front airbag may protect an unbelted occupant ejecting out of the vehicle through a windshield in a crash event.

Abstract: A hood front cover assembly usable on a vehicle in which the hood has a leading edge and an underside adjacent the leading edge to reduce pedestrian injury in a pedestrian-vehicle impact event is disclosed. The cover assembly includes a deployable cover and cover housing. The housing is located on the underside of the hood adjacent the leading edge. The cover is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The cover may be entirely rigid or may be partially deformable and may include a hollow flexible front portion. A mechanism is provided for moving the cover between the stowed and deployed positions. The mechanism is associated with the housing and may be driven by a spring driver, a motor or a pneumatic driver. A pedestrian impact sensor is provided in the front end of the vehicle. The sensor is operatively associated with the hood front cover assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a front row seat and at least one controller. The front row seat may be a driver seat or a front passenger seat. The at least one controller may respond to a signal, for example, a signal transmitted from a key fob or a signal indicative of movement of a rear door handle. In response to the signal, the controller may move the front row seat based on data indicative of a size of a rear passenger expected to be seated behind the front row seat before the expected rear passenger enters the vehicle. The size of the rear passenger may be determined via data from an external object sensor such as a blind spot detection optical sensor, lidar sensor or ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel, a front airbag, a first side curtain airbag, and a second side curtain airbag and two front seats. The front seats are disposed between the first side curtain airbag and the second side curtain airbag. The vehicle includes a roof, and the front airbag is supported by the roof. The front airbag extends from the first side curtain airbag to the second side curtain airbag between the instrument panel and the front seats to absorb energy from occupants during an impact event to reduce the likelihood of head injury and to urge the occupants to remain seated in an upright position to reduce chest loading by seat belts. The front airbag may protect an unbelted occupant ejecting out of the vehicle through a windshield in a crash event.

Abstract: When a vehicle is not in a motive mode, a controller may monitor operator input entered via vehicle controls that have functions other than access control, and enable the vehicle to transition to the motive mode if the operator input matches a predetermined vehicle-enable action sequence. The controller may also, responsive to operator input requesting to record the vehicle-enable action sequence, construct a vehicle-enable action sequence according to subsequent operator input entered by the operator via the vehicle controls; and apply the vehicle-enable action sequence as a requirement to be repeated by a vehicle operator to enable transition to motive mode.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a body having an interior which houses a spare wheel of the motor vehicle, a seat and removable headrest of the motor vehicle, and removable accessories stored in the motor vehicle. The removable accessories include at least a collapsible frame and a geared drive mechanism. The frame, the spare wheel, the removable headrest and the drive mechanism can be assembled together to form a bicycle which is separate from the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having a windshield, a cowl and an engine hood is provided. The apparatus includes a deployable hood extender, movable between a stowed position within or beneath the hood and a deployed position, wherein the hood extender substantially overlaps the cowl or an area of increased component stiffness rearward of the vehicle hood and beneath at least a portion of the windshield. The hood extender may include a positional control portion, an energy absorbing portion, a bending control feature, and softened edges. The hood extender may be a single moveable panel or may comprise a plurality of moveable panels, strips or rod-like elements, wherein the plurality of elements may be rigidly or pivotally attached to one another for linear or rotational displacement between stowed and deployed positions. The hood extender may be an expandable lattice structure. An actuation lock is included.

Abstract: An interior arrangement for a vehicle including a front passenger seat having a head restraint, a rear seat, seat occupant sensors fitted to the seats, a head restraint position sensor, a motor for moving the head restraint between its functional position and its lowered position, and a central controller operatively associated with the sensors and the motor. The front passenger head restraint is moved up to its functional position from a stowed position each time a front seat passenger presence is detected according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment the front passenger head restraint is moved from a functional or upright position to a stowed or hidden position if the front seat is unoccupied and the rear seat is occupied.

Abstract: Electronic pedal control systems and methods for a vehicle are provided. One electronic pedal control system includes a first sensor configured to produce a first output corresponding to a user applied force and a second sensor configured to produce a second output corresponding to a release of user applied force. A controller is configured to receive the first output and the second output and to control one of a brake system, a clutch system, and a throttle system of the vehicle based on the first and second outputs, and the first and second sensors are positioned relative to one another such that an application of force to the first sensor unloads the second sensor and the removal of force from the first sensor loads the second sensor.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a housing and a spool supported by the housing. Webbing is wound around the spool. A webbing engagement member is supported by the housing and is movable to a locked position engaged with the webbing for preventing movement of the webbing relative to webbing engagement member. An activating device is slideably supported by the housing and is slideably engageable with the webbing engagement member for moving the webbing locking device to the locked position. In the locked position, the webbing locking device prevents the webbing from being fed from the spool, thus preventing any slack in the webbing on the spool from being fed out when the webbing locking device is in the locked position.

Abstract: An alarm system for a vehicle, such as a bicycle, includes a touch sensor electrically connected to a vehicle frame. The touch sensor outputs an alarm signal based on a proximity of a person to the vehicle frame. A communication module receives signals from a remote device. A controller is programmed to selectively enable and disable the touch sensor in response to signals received from the remote device.

Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having a windshield, a cowl and an engine hood is provided. The apparatus includes a deployable hood extender, movable between a stowed position within or beneath the hood and a deployed position, wherein the hood extender substantially overlaps the cowl or an area of increased component stiffness rearward of the vehicle hood and beneath at least a portion of the windshield. The hood extender may include a positional control portion, an energy absorbing portion, a bending control feature, and softened edges. The hood extender may be a single moveable panel or may comprise a plurality of moveable panels, strips or rod-like elements, wherein the plurality of elements may be rigidly or pivotally attached to one another for linear or rotational displacement between stowed and deployed positions. The hood extender may be an expandable lattice structure. An actuation lock is included.

Abstract: A bicycle support mechanism includes a shaft that is connectable to a frame of a bicycle. The shaft is in the form of a hollow tube and includes a top end and a bottom end. A support arm is telescopically deployable downward from the bottom end of the shaft. A friction wheel is rotatably supported by the shaft. The friction wheel extends from the top end of the shaft such that the friction wheel and is arranged to be in frictional contact with a bicycle wheel.

Abstract: A bicycle support mechanism includes a shaft that is connectable to a frame of a bicycle. The shaft is in the form of a hollow tube and includes a top end and a bottom end. A support arm is telescopically deployable downward from the bottom end of the shaft. A friction wheel is rotatably supported by the shaft. The friction wheel extends from the top end of the shaft such that the friction wheel and is arranged to be in frictional contact with a bicycle wheel.