Abstract: A system and method for detecting seatbelt routing in a motor vehicle safety restraint system for a motor vehicle seat. The system includes a seatbelt buckle sensor, a seatbelt payout sensor, an occupancy sensor, an automatic locking retractor sensor and a control module. The method includes sensing a presence of a seatbelt latchplate in a seatbelt buckle. Further, the method includes sensing a seatbelt payout length. Additionally, the method includes comparing the seatbelt payout length to a first seatbelt payout length threshold. Moreover, the method includes determining seatbelt routing based on whether seatbelt latchplate is present in the seatbelt buckle and the seatbelt payout length is greater than the first seatbelt payout length threshold.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a deployable containment system for a vehicle roof panel, the system including: a pair of guide channels proximate to an opening through the vehicle roof panel, each guide channel of the pair having a first end and a second end; a housing mounted to the first end of the pair of guide channels. The deployable containment system also includes a shield configured to deploy from the housing and travel along the pair of guide channels so as to cover at least a portion of the opening. The deployable containment system also includes an actuator disposed proximate to the pair of guide channels, the actuator configured to deploy the shield from the housing after a deployment event.

Abstract: A cargo storage compartment of a motor vehicle is arranged along a vehicle central axis. The cargo storage compartment includes a first side-wall and a second side-wall, each arranged parallel to the vehicle central axis, and a floor, together defining width, length, and height of the storage compartment. The cargo storage compartment also includes a cargo management assembly for moving objects in the cargo storage compartment along the vehicle central axis. The cargo management assembly also includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail arranged along the respective first and second side-walls. The assembly additionally includes a panel arranged between the first and second side-walls and transverse to the vehicle central axis. The panel is movably mounted on a panel axis to each of the first and second guide rails. The assembly further includes a mechanism configured to shift the panel along the first and second guide rails.

Abstract: An automobile vehicle airbag assembly includes an airbag body connected to and extending when inflated downward from an overhead vehicle portion. A cushion extending from the airbag body has a first portion which when inflated positioned directly in front of an occupant. A second portion when inflated extends from the first portion and has a lower end aligned to interact with legs of the occupant to limit rotational motion of a lower leg portion of the legs to prevent hyper-extension of at least one knee of the occupant.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting seatbelt routing in a motor vehicle safety restraint system for a motor vehicle seat. The system includes a seatbelt buckle sensor, a seatbelt payout sensor, an occupancy sensor, an automatic locking retractor sensor and a control module. The method includes sensing a presence of a seatbelt latchplate in a seatbelt buckle. Further, the method includes sensing a seatbelt payout length. Additionally, the method includes comparing the seatbelt payout length to a first seatbelt payout length threshold. Moreover, the method includes determining seatbelt routing based on whether seatbelt latchplate is present in the seatbelt buckle and the seatbelt payout length is greater than the first seatbelt payout length threshold.

Abstract: An airbag system having an airbag control module configured to detect a direction of impact of a vehicle, an airbag assembly having an airbag cushion with an internal tether, and a tether adjustment mechanism. The tether adjustment mechanism is in communication with the airbag control module and engagement with the tether. The airbag control module is configured to send a signal to the tether adjustment mechanism to adjust the tether by ratcheting a portion of the middle segment of the tether when the airbag cushion deploys such that one of a first tether length and a second tether length is extended and the other of the first tether length and the second tether length is contracted to provide a larger volumetric capacity of the airbag cushion in the direction of impact.

Abstract: A deployable containment system of a vehicle includes a pair of guide channels that surround an opening facing one of a forward direction of travel of the vehicle and a backward direction of travel of the vehicle. Each of the guide channels has a first end and a second end. A housing is mounted to the first ends of the guide channels. A shield is configured to: deploy from the housing; travel along the guide channels toward the second ends of the guide channels; and cover at least a portion of the opening, An actuator is configured to, in response to being triggered, deploy the shield from the housing and move the shield along the guide channels toward the second ends of the guide channels.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a deployable containment system for a vehicle roof panel, the system including: a pair of guide channels proximate to an opening through the vehicle roof panel, each guide channel of the pair having a first end and a second end; a housing mounted to the first end of the pair of guide channels. The deployable containment system also includes a shield configured to deploy from the housing and travel along the pair of guide channels so as to cover at least a portion of the opening. The deployable containment system also includes an actuator disposed proximate to the pair of guide channels, the actuator configured to deploy the shield from the housing after a deployment event.

Abstract: A deployable containment system of a vehicle includes a pair of guide channels that surround an opening facing one of a forward direction of travel of the vehicle and a backward direction of travel of the vehicle. Each of the guide channels has a first end and a second end. A housing is mounted to the first ends of the guide channels. A shield is configured to: deploy from the housing; travel along the guide channels toward the second ends of the guide channels; and cover at least a portion of the opening, An actuator is configured to, in response to being triggered, deploy the shield from the housing and move the shield along the guide channels toward the second ends of the guide channels.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a deployable containment system for a vehicle roof panel, the system including: a pair of guide channels proximate to an opening through the vehicle roof panel, each guide channel of the pair having a first end and a second end; a housing mounted to the first end of the pair of guide channels. The deployable containment system also includes a shield configured to deploy from the housing and travel along the pair of guide channels so as to cover at least a portion of the opening. The deployable containment system also includes an actuator disposed proximate to the pair of guide channels, the actuator configured to deploy the shield from the housing after a deployment event.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a deployable containment system for a vehicle roof panel, the system including: a pair of guide channels proximate to an opening through the vehicle roof panel, each guide channel of the pair having a first end and a second end; a housing mounted to the first end of the pair of guide channels. The deployable containment system also includes a shield configured to deploy from the housing and travel along the pair of guide channels so as to cover at least a portion of the opening. The deployable containment system also includes an actuator disposed proximate to the pair of guide channels, the actuator configured to deploy the shield from the housing after a deployment event.

Abstract: An actuation apparatus includes a module movably tethered to a base member. Each of the module and base member include a plurality of magnetic elements aligned in a plurality of paired magnet sets such that in a non-actuated condition a repulsive magnetic force generated by each paired magnet set causes separation of the module and base member. Application of an actuation force to an actuation surface of the module, in opposition to the magnetic repulsive force, causes movement of the module toward the base member such that contact is made between terminals defined by the magnetic elements of at least one of the paired magnet sets, to generate an output signal. In an illustrative example, the base member is a steering wheel armature of a vehicle and the module is a wheel hub assembly including an air bag and a hub cover defining the actuation surface.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system of a vehicle includes a roof rail airbag that is located at a roof rail of the vehicle and above a door of the vehicle and that is configured to deploy in an outboard direction. A deployment device, when triggered, deploys the roof rail airbag. An actuator, when triggered, actuates a deployable reaction surface (i) from a first state where the deployable reaction surface is stowed behind interior door trim and does not block any part of a window opening of the door when viewed from inboard of the deployable reaction surface (ii) to a second state where the deployable reaction surface blocks at least a portion of the window opening of the door when viewed from inboard of the deployable reaction surface.

Abstract: A steering wheel and column assembly for a vehicle includes a steering column housing and a steering column shaft rotatably coupled to the steering column housing. A steering wheel includes a central hub coupled to the steering column shaft and a steering wheel rim connected to the central hub by one or more spokes extending radially from the central hub. A dampening system cooperates with the steering wheel and includes at least one mass damper body disposed adjacent to central hub. One or more vibration damping elements extend at least partially through the at least one mass damper body and the central hub. One or more resilient support members cooperate with the at least one mass damper body, central hub and the one or more vibration damping elements to absorb vibrations in the steering wheel and column assembly.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system of a vehicle includes a roof rail airbag that is located at a roof rail of the vehicle and above a door of the vehicle and that is configured to deploy in an outboard direction. A deployment device, when triggered, deploys the roof rail airbag. An actuator, when triggered, actuates a deployable reaction surface (i) from a first state where the deployable reaction surface is stowed behind interior door trim and does not block any part of a window opening of the door when viewed from inboard of the deployable reaction surface (ii) to a second state where the deployable reaction surface blocks at least a portion of the window opening of the door when viewed from inboard of the deployable reaction surface.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product that may include a mounting bracket portion that may include a spring housing that may define at least one through hole. The product may further include a lock spring that may include a first end may be disposed within the at least one through hole such that the first end extends through the through hole and protrudes from the spring housing.

Abstract: A steering wheel and column assembly for a vehicle includes a steering column housing and a steering column shaft rotatably coupled to the steering column housing. A steering wheel includes a central hub coupled to the steering column shaft and a steering wheel rim connected to the central hub by one or more spokes extending radially from the central hub. A dampening system cooperates with the steering wheel and includes at least one mass damper body disposed adjacent to central hub. One or more vibration damping elements extend at least partially through the at least one mass damper body and the central hub. One or more resilient support members cooperate with the at least one mass damper body, central hub and the one or more vibration damping elements to absorb vibrations in the steering wheel and column assembly.

Abstract: An actuation apparatus includes a module movably tethered to a base member. Each of the module and base member include a plurality of magnetic elements aligned in a plurality of paired magnet sets such that in a non-actuated condition a repulsive magnetic force generated by each paired magnet set causes separation of the module and base member. Application of an actuation force to an actuation surface of the module, in opposition to the magnetic repulsive force, causes movement of the module toward the base member such that contact is made between terminals defined by the magnetic elements of at least one of the paired magnet sets, to generate an output signal. In an illustrative example, the base member is a steering wheel armature of a vehicle and the module is a wheel hub assembly including an air bag and a hub cover defining the actuation surface.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product that may include a mounting bracket portion that may include a spring housing that may define at least one through hole. The product may further include a lock spring that may include a first end may be disposed within the at least one through hole such that the first end extends through the through hole and protrudes from the spring housing.

Abstract: A roof rail air bag assembly includes an air bag module having an air bag inflator and an air bag with a plurality of cushion retention tabs. Also included in the assembly are an inflator bracket and a plurality of snap-in clips. The bracket is attached to the air bag inflator; the snap-in clips are attached to the cushion retention tabs and to the bracket with threaded fasteners. The air bag assembly is positioned within the vehicle by an operator standing outside the vehicle, and each of the snap-in clips are inserted into openings in the vehicle roof rail. Removing the air bag module for service is accomplished by removing each of the threaded fasteners while the snap-in clips remain permanently attached to the vehicle roof rail.