Abstract: A testing fixture for a vehicle includes a tube and a piston slideably disposed in the tube. A seat belt D-ring is mounted t the piston. An actuator is supported on the tube in communication with the piston through the tube for moving the piston relative to the tube to an extended position in a designated time interval during a simulated vehicle rollover. The piston defines teeth, and a ratchet is supported on the tube and engages the teeth of the piston for preventing movement of the piston relative to the tube toward the retracted position during or after the simulated vehicle rollover.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag comprises a primary chamber and a secondary chamber affixed to the primary chamber by a seam. A passage is defined between the primary chamber and the secondary chamber. The seam defines a closed shape, and an inner side of the seam is located between sides of the primary chamber, and is between sides of the secondary chamber.

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 of a semi-rigid contact surface or 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: An instrument panel assembly includes a frame, a first airbag supported by the frame, a second airbag supported by the frame spaced from the first airbag, and an intermediate airbag supported by the frame between the first and second airbags. The first, second, and intermediate airbags are inflatable to an inflated position in which the intermediate airbag extends from the first airbag to the second airbag.

Abstract: A front end assembly including a stepped deflector assembly. The stepped deflector assembly includes a first step attached to one end of a bumper. The first step includes an inner front leg and an intermediate leg. The second step includes an outer front leg and a rear leg. The intermediate leg and rear leg have ends that are disposed adjacent a frame rail, but that are not attached to the frame rail. In a collision, the first and second inner ends of the first and second step, respectively, are driven laterally into the frame rail to reduce intrusions into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle includes a trim panel and an armrest core supported on the trim panel. An inflatable device is disposed on the armrest core for cushioning impact between an occupant of the vehicle and the armrest core during an impact of the vehicle. The inflatable device includes an inflation chamber defined by a backing, a cover, a pleated side extending from the backing to the cover, and a fabric side extending from the backing to the cover along the pleated side.

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: An airbag module for a vehicle includes an inflator disposed behind an instrument panel and an airbag arrangement. The airbag arrangement includes a cushion section configured to receive an occupant during impact and a balloon section disposed proximate a base of the cushion section and adjacent the instrument panel such that, upon inflation, the balloon section contacts and pushes against the instrument panel. This forms a swell on the cushion section adjacent to the balloon section configured to hinder movement of the occupant toward the balloon section.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a dash panel and an airbag module disposed behind the dash panel. The airbag module includes an airbag assembly that defines, upon inflation in a presence of a passenger, a primary chamber adjacent to a passenger side of the vehicle and configured to cushion the passenger upon impact, and a secondary chamber attached to the primary chamber, arranged adjacent to a center of the vehicle, and configured to catch the passenger after impact. The secondary chamber has an end portion disposed adjacent to the passenger and a base opposite and wider than the end portion arranged to sit against the dash panel to orient the airbag assembly relative to the passenger.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second cover segments adjacent one another and collectively defining a surface of an instrument panel for a vehicle in an installed position of the first cover segment and a support member spaced away from the first cover segment opposite the surface. The apparatus further includes a sidewall body extending between the first cover segment and the support member and enclosing a first volume therein and an inflator fluidly coupled to the first volume. When the inflator expands the first volume, the sidewall body extends away from the support member and respectively displaces the first cover segment to a deployed position away from the second cover segment.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag comprises a primary chamber, a secondary chamber affixed to the primary chamber, and a passage between the primary chamber and the secondary chamber. The primary chamber is configured to contact at least two reaction surfaces, and the secondary chamber is configured to contact one and only one of the at least two reaction surfaces, when the airbag is inflated upon detection of an impact.

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 airbag comprises a primary chamber and a secondary chamber affixed to the primary chamber by a seam. A passage is defined between the primary chamber and the secondary chamber. The seam defines a closed shape, and an inner side of the seam is located between sides of the primary chamber, and is between sides of the secondary chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag comprises a primary chamber, a secondary chamber affixed to the primary chamber, and a passage between the primary chamber and the secondary chamber. The primary chamber is configured to contact at least two reaction surfaces, and the secondary chamber is configured to contact one and only one of the at least two reaction surfaces, when the airbag is inflated upon detection of an impact.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly is provided comprising a main rail. The vehicle frame assembly also includes a deflector assembly which has a front member having an inboard end pivotally coupled to the main rail and an outboard end. Moreover, the deflector assembly includes a rear member having an inboard end slidably coupled to the main rail and an outboard end pivotally coupled to the outboard end of the front member. Additionally, a tension member is disposed between the inboard ends of the front member and the rear member. The deflector assembly is operable between a normal use position wherein the tension member is slack and a collision position wherein the tension member is taut.

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 dash panel and an airbag module disposed behind the dash panel. The airbag module includes an airbag assembly that defines, upon inflation in a presence of a passenger, a primary chamber adjacent to a passenger side of the vehicle and configured to cushion the passenger upon impact, and a secondary chamber attached to the primary chamber, arranged adjacent to a center of the vehicle, and configured to catch the passenger after impact. The secondary chamber has an end portion disposed adjacent to the passenger and a base opposite and wider than the end portion arranged to sit against the dash panel to orient the airbag assembly relative to the passenger.

Abstract: A front end assembly including a stepped deflector assembly. The stepped deflector assembly includes a first step attached to one end of a bumper. The first step includes an inner front leg and an intermediate leg. The second step includes an outer front leg and a rear leg. The intermediate leg and rear leg have ends that are disposed adjacent a frame rail, but that are not attached to the frame rail. In a collision, the first and second inner ends of the first and second step, respectively, are driven laterally into the frame rail to reduce intrusions into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

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 frame assembly is provided comprising a main rail. The vehicle frame assembly also includes a deflector assembly which has a front member having an inboard end pivotally coupled to the main rail and an outboard end. Moreover, the deflector assembly includes a rear member having an inboard end slidably coupled to the main rail and an outboard end pivotally coupled to the outboard end of the front member. Additionally, a tension member is disposed between the inboard ends of the front member and the rear member. The deflector assembly is operable between a normal use position wherein the tension member is slack and a collision position wherein the tension member is taut.