Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicular device comprising a tether. The tether is anchored at a first point to the frame of the vehicle, and at a second point to the knuckle of a front wheel of the vehicle, wherein the knuckle couples the front wheel to the frame. The locations of the first anchor point and second anchor point, along with the length of the tether and the routing of the tether within the vehicle, are selected such that in a collision event between the front wheel and a barrier, when the knuckle becomes separated from the frame, the motion of the front wheel is constrained to exert force on both the barrier and the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: Fuel protection apparatus and related systems for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed vehicle includes a fuel component in an engine compartment of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a spacer coupled to a cam carrier and positioned proximate to the fuel component. The vehicle also includes a protector coupled to a cylinder head and spaced from the spacer and the cam carrier. The protector is configured to receive a load from a cowl brace or firewall of the vehicle during a vehicle impact event in which an engine assembly of the vehicle moves relative to the cowl brace or firewall. The protector is configured to transfer the load to the cylinder head, the cam carrier, and the spacer to protect the fuel component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling wheel motion during a collision are provided. A retaining member may be connectable between a vehicle frame and a wheel assembly to control motion of the wheel assembly during a collision of a vehicle with an object. The retaining member may include one or more of a first attachment point connecting the retaining member to the vehicle frame, a second attachment point connecting the retaining member to the wheel assembly, a retaining member routing, and/or one or more break-away connections attaching the retaining member to the vehicle frame and/or to the wheel assembly. The first and second attachment points, retaining member routing, and/or break-away connections may be selected to control motion of the wheel assembly within a preferred path to control loading between the object and the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for improving lateral crash pushing and distributing crash energy within a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a first frame cross member extending laterally between a left hand frame rail and a right hand frame rail of a vehicle, and a second frame cross member, aft of the first frame cross member, extending laterally between the left hand frame rail and the right hand frame rail. The apparatus further comprises an outrigger projecting outward laterally from the first frame cross member and an impact member selected from the left hand frame rail or right hand frame rail; and a connection arm projecting diagonally from a distal end of the outrigger to a connection point on the second frame cross member, beneath the impact member, such that when an impact force travels longitudinally into the outrigger, the impact force is distributed to both the first frame cross member through the outrigger and the second frame cross member through the connection arm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicular device comprising a tether. The tether is anchored at a first point to the frame of the vehicle, and at a second point to the knuckle of a front wheel of the vehicle, wherein the knuckle couples the front wheel to the frame. The locations of the first anchor point and second anchor point, along with the length of the tether and the routing of the tether within the vehicle, are selected such that in a collision event between the front wheel and a barrier, when the knuckle becomes separated from the frame, the motion of the front wheel is constrained to exert force on both the barrier and the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: Fuel protection apparatus and related systems for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed vehicle includes a fuel component in an engine compartment of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a spacer coupled to a cam carrier and positioned proximate to the fuel component. The vehicle also includes a protector coupled to a cylinder head and spaced from the spacer and the cam carrier. The protector is configured to receive a load from a cowl brace or firewall of the vehicle during a vehicle impact event in which an engine assembly of the vehicle moves relative to the cowl brace or firewall. The protector is configured to transfer the load to the cylinder head, the cam carrier, and the spacer to protect the fuel component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling wheel motion during a collision are provided. A retaining member may be connectable between a vehicle frame and a wheel assembly to control motion of the wheel assembly during a collision of a vehicle with an object. The retaining member may include one or more of a first attachment point connecting the retaining member to the vehicle frame, a second attachment point connecting the retaining member to the wheel assembly, a retaining member routing, and/or one or more break-away connections attaching the retaining member to the vehicle frame and/or to the wheel assembly. The first and second attachment points, retaining member routing, and/or break-away connections may be selected to control motion of the wheel assembly within a preferred path to control loading between the object and the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for improving lateral crash pushing and distributing crash energy within a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a first frame cross member extending laterally between a left hand frame rail and a right hand frame rail of a vehicle, and a second frame cross member, aft of the first frame cross member, extending laterally between the left hand frame rail and the right hand frame rail. The apparatus further comprises an outrigger projecting outward laterally from the first frame cross member and an impact member selected from the left hand frame rail or right hand frame rail; and a connection arm projecting diagonally from a distal end of the outrigger to a connection point on the second frame cross member, beneath the impact member, such that when an impact force travels longitudinally into the outrigger, the impact force is distributed to both the first frame cross member through the outrigger and the second frame cross member through the connection arm.

Abstract: A side curtain-roof airbag for a motor vehicle is provided. The side curtain-roof airbag includes a side chamber, a roof chamber, and a corner chamber located between said side and roof chambers. In addition, the corner chamber is separate from the side and corner chambers when the side curtain-roof airbag is in a deployed position. The corner chamber is separate from the side and roof chambers via a chamber wall. Also, the chamber wall may or may not have a plurality of vents such that the corner chamber is in fluid communication with the side and roof chambers.