Abstract: A collision countermeasure apparatus includes an impact absorbing body attached to an outboard side of a sub-frame and a rigid link. The rigid link is attached to the impact absorbing body at an outboard location and extends upward to an outer side of a frame rail. A frontal impact with a rigid barrier outboard of the frame rail drives the impact absorbing body into the link to force the link into the outer side of the frame rail. The force applied to the frame rail by the impact absorbing body laterally displaces the vehicle to reduce the extent of intrusion into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A collision countermeasure apparatus for a vehicle includes a longitudinally extending frame rail that defines a transverse opening adjacent a front end. An extension is partially received in a bumper that defines an open end. A pin is received in the transverse opening and has an outer end pivotally connected by a joint to an outboard end of the extension. Collisions outboard of the frame rail drive the extension into the pin and the pin into the rail to laterally displace the vehicle. Collisions inboard of the rail slide the extension outwardly from the bumper and pivot the extension and pin toward each other. Collisions inboard of the rail shift the pin laterally outwardly from the transverse opening.

Abstract: A bumper assembly includes an elongated beam and a pair of crush cans. The elongated beam includes a plurality of reinforcing walls extending horizontally that define a gap in a central portion of the beam. The pair of crush can assemblies is attached to the beam at transversely spaced locations relative to the central portion of the beam. The central portion of the beam is structured to have less bending resistance than the right and left sides. The reinforcing walls span the crush can assemblies so that the gap facilitates bending the central portion of the beam. A method of making a bumper is also disclosed that includes the steps of selecting a bumper beam and partially removing an upper/central portion and a lower/central portion of the bumper beam.

Abstract: A bumper assembly includes an elongated beam and a pair of crush cans. The elongated beam includes a plurality of reinforcing walls extending horizontally that define a gap in a central portion of the beam. The pair of crush can assemblies is attached to the beam at transversely spaced locations relative to the central portion of the beam. The central portion of the beam is structured to have less bending resistance than the right and left sides. The reinforcing walls span the crush can assemblies so that the gap facilitates bending the central portion of the beam. A method of making a bumper is also disclosed that includes the steps of selecting a bumper beam and partially removing an upper/central portion and a lower/central portion of the bumper beam.

Abstract: A restraint system includes an instrument panel, a passenger airbag chamber supported by the instrument panel, and a secondary airbag chamber. The passenger airbag chamber is inflatable to an inflated position and in the inflated position includes a rear face spaced from the instrument panel and a side face extending from the rear face toward the instrument panel. The secondary airbag chamber is external to the passenger airbag and, in an inflated position, extends along the side face and the rear face of the passenger airbag chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis having a pair of rails spaced from each other and a deployable reinforcing device extending between the rails. The deployable reinforcing device includes a beam disposed between the pair of rails and including walls and hinges connected in alternating arrangement. The walls are rotatable about the hinges from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The device includes a deployment mechanism disposed between the walls. When a vehicle impact is sensed, the deployment mechanism is deployed to expand the beam to the expanded position to reinforce the rails.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis includes a pair of rails spaced from each other. A beam is disposed between the pair of rails and defines a cavity. The beam includes walls and hinges connected in alternating arrangement about the cavity. Each hinge is connected to two of the walls. A wedge is disposed between one of the rails and the beam adjacent the cavity for driving the walls and hinges toward an expanded position during a side impact.

Abstract: A restraint system includes an instrument panel and an airbag inflatable from the instrument panel to an inflated position. The airbag includes a main portion and an extension selectively extendable from the main portion in the inflated position. The main portion has a front panel spaced from the instrument panel in the inflated position. The extension is fixed to the front panel and has an inflation chamber defined by at least the front panel.

Abstract: A hybrid expandable restraint volume enclosure system incorporating at least one deployable semi-rigid human body reaction surface is provided. One or more walls of the expanding volume are substantially pliable, attaching at one end to a mounting base that is attachable to a structural member of a vehicle and another end attached to a semi-rigid deployable reaction surface. The energy absorbing expansion member may be thin walled or membrane-like and comprised of pliable rubber, plastic or a woven fabric. Methods of attaching a flexible expansion member to either a semi-rigid contact surface or a semi-rigid expansion wall of the enclosure include providing a mechanical attachment by capturing an expansion member edge between a frame and semi-rigid member. Material from a molded semi-rigid member may flow over or into geometries provided in a flexible expansion member for joining. An interface may be defined by blend-molding to transition different material stiffness.

Abstract: A front end structure for a vehicle comprising a bumper, a crush can attaching the bumper to a frame rail, a sub-frame supporting an engine, and an impact spreading rail attached to a front transverse rail of the sub-frame. The impact spreading rail extends perpendicularly outboard relative to the frame rail and upward to a location vertically aligned with the bumper. The impact spreading rail is impacted after the bumper in a collision to spread collision deformation outside the frame rail.

Abstract: A chassis assembly of a vehicle includes an underbody and a subframe. A connector extends along an axis and connects the subframe and the underbody. A first wedge is fixed to one of the underbody and the subframe about the axis and a second wedge is fixed to the other of the underbody and subframe about the axis. The first wedge includes a protrusion and the second wedge defines a recess receiving the protrusion in a direction along the axis. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, the subframe may rotate relative to the underbody. During this rotation the first wedge and second wedge rotate relative to each other and the protrusion moves along the recess to apply a tensile load to the connection to break the connection.

Abstract: An airbag system includes an inflator and an airbag in communication with the inflator. The airbag system includes a tether actuator and tethers extending from the tether actuator to the airbag. A controller is programmed to receive signals from an impact sensing system and a steering wheel angle sensor. The controller is programmed to instruct the tether actuator to release at least one of the tethers based at least on the signals from the steering wheel angle sensor and the impact sensing system.

Abstract: An instrument panel includes a frame, an intermediate airbag supported by the frame in an uninflated position, and a first airbag supported by the frame. The first airbag is disposed in a first direction from the intermediate airbag. The first and intermediate airbags are inflatable to an inflated position. The intermediate airbag includes an extension extending in the first direction in the inflated position.

Abstract: An airbag system includes an inflator and an airbag in communication with the inflator. The airbag system includes a tether actuator and tethers extending from the tether actuator to the airbag. A controller is programmed to receive signals from an impact sensing system and a steering wheel angle sensor. The controller is programmed to instruct the tether actuator to release at least one of the tethers based at least on the signals from the steering wheel angle sensor and the impact sensing system.

Abstract: An airbag system includes an inflator and an airbag in communication with the inflator. The airbag system includes a tether actuator and tethers extending from the tether actuator to the airbag. A controller is programmed to receive signals from an impact sensing system and a steering wheel angle sensor. The controller is programmed to instruct the tether actuator to release at least one of the tethers based at least on the signals from the steering wheel angle sensor and the impact sensing system.

Abstract: A chassis assembly of a vehicle includes an underbody and a subframe. A connector extends along an axis and connects the subframe and the underbody. A first wedge is fixed to one of the underbody and the subframe about the axis and a second wedge is fixed to the other of the underbody and subframe about the axis. The first wedge includes a protrusion and the second wedge defines a recess receiving the protrusion in a direction along the axis. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, the subframe may rotate relative to the underbody. During this rotation the first wedge and second wedge rotate relative to each other and the protrusion moves along the recess to apply a tensile load to the connection to break the connection.

Abstract: A chassis assembly of a vehicle includes a frame, an underbody supported by the frame, and a subframe connected to the underbody. A connection connects the subframe and the underbody. A lever extends from the subframe to the frame. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, the lever leverages against the frame to detach the connection from the underbody. This movement of the subframe relative to the frame and the detachment of the connection from the underbody absorbs energy during the frontal impact and results in a softer pulse and a reduced Vehicle Pulse Index.

Abstract: A vehicle frame is provided having a frame. The frame includes a main rail and a lateral rail. A bracket is operably coupled to the main rail. The vehicle frame assembly also includes a wedged shape deflecting member. The wedged shape deflecting member has a first end which is operably coupled to the bracket and a second end which is operable between a standard use position and a collision event position. The standard use position is where the second end is spaced a predetermined distance from the main rail. The collision event position is when the second end is in abutting contact with the main rail. During a collision event, the second end moves from the standard use position to the collision event position such that the deflecting member absorbs and deflects energy imparted on the frame.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis having a pair of rails spaced from each other and a deployable reinforcing device extending between the rails. The deployable reinforcing device includes a beam disposed between the pair of rails and including walls and hinges connected in alternating arrangement. The walls are rotatable about the hinges from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The device includes a deployment mechanism disposed between the walls. When a vehicle impact is sensed, the deployment mechanism is deployed to expand the beam to the expanded position to reinforce the rails.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis includes a pair of rails spaced from each other. A beam is disposed between the pair of rails and defines a cavity. The beam includes walls and hinges connected in alternating arrangement about the cavity. Each hinge is connected to two of the walls. A wedge is disposed between one of the rails and the beam adjacent the cavity for driving the walls and hinges toward an expanded position during a side impact.