Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a wedge fixed by shear connections to a structural member. Upon application of a rearward force, the wedge shears free and moves between the structural member and a wheel assembly where it rotationally displaces a vehicle tire. The rearward force also laterally displaces the body of the vehicle. The wedge is tethered to the structural member.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a wedge fixed by shear connections to a structural member. Upon application of a rearward force, the wedge shears free and moves between the structural member and a wheel assembly where it rotationally displaces a vehicle tire. The rearward force also laterally displaces the body of the vehicle. The wedge is tethered to the structural member.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the invention provides for a light truck including a frame with opposing longitudinal frame rails running along each side of the vehicle. The frame rails include at least a leading portion with vertical placement lowered and selected to substantially align with a passenger car energy management structure. In this embodiment, the vertical placement of the leading portion of the light truck frame rails is selected to direct impact energy to a passenger car longitudinal energy management structure, improving vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility in the event of a front longitudinal impact with a passenger car. The present invention also provides embodiments which increase the impact energy absorption capacity of a light truck by providing geometric softening of the frame rails and material softening of the frame rails.

Abstract: A safety restraint system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes a seat belt buckle (60) and a retractor (53) mounted approximately at or below a pelvic level of a vehicle occupant (98). A seat belt (52) extends over a side pelvic portion (97) of vehicle occupant (98) and directly prevents outward lateral displacement of the side pelvic portion (97) during a side collision event.

Abstract: An impact system employs an accelerometer (40), which produces an acceleration signal (70), and communicates it with a restraints control module (38) that, in turn, determines when switches (58) for passive restraint actuation will be activated. The restraints control module (38) decomposes the acceleration signal (70) via low (44) and high (46) pass filters into a high frequency signal (74), which is used for impact mode determination (78), and a low frequency signal (76), which is used for impact severity determination (80). The results of the two determinations are then used to make a deployment decision (82) for one or more of the passive restraints (30, 32, 34) in the vehicle (20).