Abstract: A battery assembly is attached to a tray below a floor pan of a vehicle on a front channel and a rear channel that extend transversely relative to the vehicle. Edge reinforcements of the tray are secured by shear pins or other deformable connectors that retain the tray in a centered location on the channels until a side impact with a vehicle shears the shear pins and permits the tray to move laterally away from the location of impact.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor assembly includes a disk having a cam surface and a cam follower surface. A lever that engages the cam surface when the lever is in a disengaged position and engages the cam follower surface when the lever is in an engaged position. The lever moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position in accordance with rotation of the disc. A Hall effect switch detects whether the lever is in the disengaged position or the engaged position.

Abstract: A beam module for a vehicle seat is mounted at a front of a seat, on top of a seat pan and underneath a seat cushion. The module includes a molded plastic beam. The module has a first shape substantially flush with the seat pan and a second shape projecting above the seat pan. The molded plastic beam has a mounting flange with a forward portion and a second portion. The molded plastic beam is inflatable. When inflated, the molded plastic beam assumes its second shape with the seat cushion being correspondingly displaced and deformed to raise the seat cushion when a frontal impact is detected.

Abstract: A window wiper system is provided for enhanced performance in winter weather conditions. The wiper system includes a wiper assembly having a wiper base, a wiper arm pivotally connected to the wiper base and wiper blade carried on the wiper arm. An actuator carried on the wiper assembly selectively displaces the wiper arm between an operating position wherein the wiper blade engages and sweeps the vehicle window and a raised position wherein the wiper blade is lifted from the vehicle window. When the wiper blade is displaced from the raised position to the operating position it impacts the window with sufficient force to remove any accumulated ice from the wiper assembly without damaging the assembly or the window.

Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature in a vehicle passenger compartment of a parked vehicle includes the steps of: (a) sensing a temperature inside the vehicle at a predetermined time; (b) comparing the sensed temperature to a preferred temperature; (c) confirming an absence of any object near a front and a rear of the parked vehicle; (d) turning on an engine of the parked vehicle if the absence of any object is confirmed and the sensed temperature is not the preferred temperature; and (e) utilizing a climate control system to change the temperature inside the vehicle passenger compartment.

Abstract: A method of controlling a sunroof of a parked vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of: monitoring a state of an engine; monitoring a state of the sunroof; monitoring a state of at least one accessory; initiating a timer when the state of the engine changes to an off state, the state of the sunroof is an open state, and the state of the at least one accessory is an off state; and closing the sunroof a period of time after initiation of the timer. The method may further include sensing for precipitation throughout the period of time, and closing the sunroof upon sensing precipitation regardless of whether the period of time has elapsed. The method may further include sensing for an occupant within the vehicle when the period of time has elapsed or when precipitation is sensed, and foregoing the step of closing the sunroof if an occupant is sensed.

Abstract: A seatback includes a frame and a panel rotatably coupled to the frame. A support bracket is attached to the frame with a lever is rotatably coupled to the support bracket. The lever is configured to engage the panel with a frame supported actuator via a cable attached to the actuator and the lever.

Abstract: A motor vehicle hood latch mechanism comprises a latch assembly including a primary latch and a secondary latch. The secondary latch restrains the hood in a released position subsequent movement of the primary latch to an unlocked position. The secondary latch secures a striker to restrain the hood in a released position and allows the hood to move to an open position upon manipulation. An improved secondary latch release handle comprises a secondary latch release handle arm having a retracted position and a deployed position outside of the motor vehicle, the secondary latch release handle arm extending longitudinally forward relative the motor vehicle in each of the retracted and deployed positions, wherein the secondary latch release handle arm is extended forward to the deployed position by purely translational motion upon movement of the primary latch to the unlocked position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mounting plate having at least one deformable opening arranged to receive a securing member. The opening is configured to deform when a load on the mounting plate exceeds a predetermined threshold. The apparatus includes a ring member connected to the mounting plate. The ring member includes an opening to receive a strap there-through.

Abstract: Systems for providing for an external vehicle airbag to mitigate the negative effects of vehicle rollover are described. In an exemplary implementation, one or more airbags are disposed inside the roof rails attached to a vehicle roof. In the event of a vehicle rollover, the airbags will deploy and extend downward along the sides of the vehicle. The airbags may be held in desirable deployed position by one or more elastic tethers.

Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a bumper beam, an actuator, and a lower stiffener. The actuator includes a base mounted to the bumper beam, and a rod moveably engaged with the base along a vertical axis. The lower stiffener is fixed to the rod. Depending on pre-determined vehicle speeds, the lower stiffener moves from a deployed position to a retracted position based on pedestrian leg impact considerations and to reduce the likelihood of lower stiffener damage.

Abstract: A gesture-activated hood release system for a motor vehicle is provided. That system incorporates a gesture sensor, a first actuator and a second actuator. Further, the system includes a controller that is responsive to the gesture sensor to activate the first actuator and open a primary hood latch and then, after a predetermined time delay, activate the second actuator and open the secondary hood latch.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a detachable fuel pipe of a vehicle fuel system. In one example, a method may include, in response to a detected vehicle collision, removing physical and fluidic couplings between the detachable fuel pipe and a fuel tank. The method may further include sealing the fuel tank upon removing the couplings to the detachable fuel pipe.

Abstract: A beam module for a vehicle seat is mounted at a front of a seat, on top of a seat pan and underneath a seat cushion. The module includes a molded plastic beam. The module has a first shape substantially flush with the seat pan and a second shape projecting above the seat pan. The molded plastic beam has a mounting flange with a forward portion and a second portion. The molded plastic beam is inflatable. When inflated, the molded plastic beam assumes its second shape with the seat cushion being correspondingly displaced and deformed to raise the seat cushion when a frontal impact is detected.

Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a bumper beam, an actuator, and a lower stiffener. The actuator includes a base mounted to the bumper beam, and a rod moveably engaged with the base along a vertical axis. The lower stiffener is fixed to the rod. Depending on pre-determined vehicle speeds, the lower stiffener moves from a deployed position to a retracted position based on pedestrian leg impact considerations and to reduce the likelihood of lower stiffener damage.

Abstract: A method of controlling a sunroof of a parked vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of: monitoring a state of an engine; monitoring a state of the sunroof; monitoring a state of at least one accessory; initiating a timer when the state of the engine changes to an off state, the state of the sunroof is an open state, and the state of the at least one accessory is an off state; and closing the sunroof a period of time after initiation of the timer. The method may further include sensing for precipitation throughout the period of time, and closing the sunroof upon sensing precipitation regardless of whether the period of time has elapsed. The method may further include sensing for an occupant within the vehicle when the period of time has elapsed or when precipitation is sensed, and foregoing the step of closing the sunroof if an occupant is sensed.

Abstract: Systems for providing for an external vehicle airbag to mitigate the negative effects of vehicle rollover are described. In an exemplary implementation, one or more airbags are disposed inside the roof rails attached to a vehicle roof. In the event of a vehicle rollover, the airbags will deploy and extend downward along the sides of the vehicle. The airbags may be held in desirable deployed position by one or more elastic tethers.

Abstract: A deployable device of a roof impact absorbing apparatus for a vehicle includes a bottom panel, a top panel opposite the bottom panel, and a cavity between the top panel and the bottom panel. The roof impact absorbing apparatus includes a headliner adjacent to the bottom panel, and an inflator in communication with the cavity. The deployable device is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer and is flexible relative to the headliner. During a rollover of the vehicle, the deployable device in the deployed position may reduce the amount of impact energy transferred to the occupant.

Abstract: A seat back for a vehicle includes a frame and a deployable device. The deployable device includes a back panel fixed to the frame, a front panel opposite the back panel, and a cavity between the back panel and the front panel. The seat back includes an inflator in communication with the cavity of the deployable device. The deployable device is formed of a plastic material. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, the deployable device may be inflated from an undeployed position to a deployed position to absorb impact from an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: A gesture-activated hood release system for a motor vehicle is provided. That system incorporates a gesture sensor, a first actuator and a second actuator. Further, the system includes a controller that is responsive to the gesture sensor to activate the first actuator and open a primary hood latch and then, after a predetermined time delay, activate the second actuator and open the secondary hood latch.