Abstract: A roof bow for a vehicle is provided that has a “bow-tie” shape including a central portion flanked by two triangular portions. The triangular portions are joined to right and left roof brackets that are, in turn, joined to right and left roof rails. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled from extruded tubular parts. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled in a clamshell structure including an upper shell and a lower shell that are joined together by welding. The roof bow may be formed in one piece as a sheet metal stamping having side portions that are wider than the central portion.

Abstract: A deployable device of a roof impact absorbing apparatus for a vehicle includes a bottom panel, a top panel opposite the bottom panel, and a cavity between the top panel and the bottom panel. The roof impact absorbing apparatus includes a headliner adjacent to the bottom panel, and an inflator in communication with the cavity. The deployable device is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer and is flexible relative to the headliner. During a rollover of the vehicle, the deployable device in the deployed position may reduce the amount of impact energy transferred to the occupant.

Abstract: A seat back for a vehicle includes a frame and a deployable device. The deployable device includes a back panel fixed to the frame, a front panel opposite the back panel, and a cavity between the back panel and the front panel. The seat back includes an inflator in communication with the cavity of the deployable device. The deployable device is formed of a plastic material. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, the deployable device may be inflated from an undeployed position to a deployed position to absorb impact from an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: An occupant safety system includes an airbag module mountable to a vehicle seat frame. The airbag module includes a base and a retaining mechanism receivable by the frame. The base is attachable to the frame.

Abstract: The present invention in one or more embodiments provides a seat assembly of a vehicle, including a seat base, a seat back communicating with the seat base, an armrest communicating with at least one of the seat back and the seat base, and a pretension unit connected to the armrest such that the armrest is retractable upon activation of the pretension unit. The pretension unit may include a pretensioner, a pulley, and a cable.

Abstract: A fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank, and an airbag assembly connected to a fuel tank. The fuel tank includes a first portion facing in a first direction, a second portion facing a second direction which is opposite the first direction. The fuel tank includes a rear portion extending between the first portion and the second portion and facing in a rear direction transverse to the first and second directions. The airbag assembly is connected to the first portion, the second portion, and the rear portion of the fuel tank. During a vehicle impact, an inflatable member of the airbag assembly in an inflatable position may deflect impact debris away from the fuel tank and/or may prevent underbody components from coming contacting the fuel tank.

Abstract: A fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank, and an airbag assembly connected to a fuel tank. The fuel tank includes a first portion facing in a first direction, a second portion facing a second direction which is opposite the first direction. The fuel tank includes a rear portion extending between the first portion and the second portion and facing in a rear direction transverse to the first and second directions. The airbag assembly is connected to the first portion, the second portion, and the rear portion of the fuel tank. During a vehicle impact, an inflatable member of the airbag assembly in an inflatable position may deflect impact debris away from the fuel tank and/or may prevent underbody components from coming contacting the fuel tank.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a steering wheel having a steering wheel cover and an airbag module. The airbag module includes an airbag arrangement and an inflator disposed behind the steering wheel cover. The inflator is configured to inflate the airbag arrangement. The airbag arrangement has a primary bag configured to cushion an occupant and a secondary bag disposed on a side of the primary bag adjacent to a driver's side of the vehicle. The secondary bag is configured to catch an occupant during impact of the vehicle. The airbag arrangement further includes a patch having a seam. The patch partitions the primary and secondary bags. The seam is configured to split when a pressure in the primary bag exceeds a threshold allowing gas to inflate the secondary bag.

Abstract: A battery assembly is attached to a tray below a floor pan of a vehicle on a front channel and a rear channel that extend transversely relative to the vehicle. Edge reinforcements of the tray are secured by shear pins or other deformable connectors that retain the tray in a centered location on the channels until a side impact with a vehicle shears the shear pins and permits the tray to move laterally away from the location of impact.

Abstract: A roof bow for a vehicle is provided that has a “bow-tie” shape including a central portion flanked by two triangular portions. The triangular portions are joined to right and left roof brackets that are, in turn, joined to right and left roof rails. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled from extruded tubular parts. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled in a clamshell structure including an upper shell and a lower shell that are joined together by welding. The roof bow may be formed in one piece as a sheet metal stamping having side portions that are wider than the central portion.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor assembly includes a disk having a cam surface and a cam follower surface. A lever that engages the cam surface when the lever is in a disengaged position and engages the cam follower surface when the lever is in an engaged position. The lever moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position in accordance with rotation of the disc. A Hall effect switch detects whether the lever is in the disengaged position or the engaged position.

Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature in a vehicle passenger compartment of a parked vehicle is provided. The method broadly includes the steps of: (a) sensing a temperature (TIN) inside the vehicle at a predetermined time (tP); (b) comparing the sensed temperature (TIN) to a preferred temperature (TP); (c) confirming an absence of any object near a front and a rear of the parked vehicle; (d) turning on an engine of the parked vehicle if the absence of any object is confirmed and the sensed temperature (TIN) is not the preferred temperature (TP); and (e) utilizing a climate control system to change the temperature (TIN) inside the vehicle passenger compartment. The method may further include the step of establishing the preferred temperature (TP) inside the vehicle passenger compartment and/or the predetermined time (tP) by accessing a climate control program utilizing a user interface within the parked vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle having a cargo area partially defined by a floor and a lift gate includes a support rod anchored for rotational movement substantially within a recess beneath the floor and adjacent the lift gate. A flexible member, such as a cargo net, is attached to the support at a first end and rolled around the support in a stowed position. The flexible member is unrolled from the support in an extended position. A cover is attached to the flexible member at a second end and the cover is substantially flush with the floor concealing the support and the flexible member in the stowed position. The vehicle may incorporate multiple support rods, flexible members, and covers.

Abstract: A hood latch release system for a vehicle. The hood latch release system may have a cable and a linkage. Deflection of the cable may actuate the linkage to unlatch the hood latch.

Abstract: A passenger protection system includes a rotatable arm, a rotation mechanism rotatably attached to the rotatable arm, and a flexible sheet connected to the rotatable arm and connectable to a vehicle roof.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a detachable fuel pipe of a vehicle fuel system. In one example, a method may include, in response to a detected vehicle collision, removing physical and fluidic couplings between the detachable fuel pipe and a fuel tank. The method may further include sealing the fuel tank upon removing the couplings to the detachable fuel pipe.

Abstract: A vehicle armrest assembly for a door and console includes a linear actuator extending vertically through at least a portion of an armrest substrate and having a pin at an upper end, a support plate positioned above the armrest substrate and having a slot, wherein the pin slidably engages the slot to allow the support plate to operate laterally along the slot and rotationally about the pin between a plurality of lateral and rotational positions, respectively. The linear actuator vertically operates the support plate between a plurality of vertical positions and a cover member is disposed over the support plate.

Abstract: A storage box system for a motor vehicle includes a folding storage box and a sliding rail assembly for translating the folding storage box between a hidden storage position below a cargo bay of the motor vehicle and a deployed position extending from a rear portion of the motor vehicle. The storage box includes at least a back and opposed sides being connected to a floor for transitioning between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. Structures are provided for retaining the opposed sides and back in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to a plane defined by the floor when the folding storage box is in the unfolded configuration. The sliding rail assembly includes one or more sliding rails associated with the folding storage box floor and one or more cooperating sleeves disposed below the cargo bay for slidingly receiving the sliding rails therein.

Abstract: A seat back includes a frame and a deployable device mounted to the frame. The deployable device includes a back panel, a front panel opposite the back panel, and a cavity between the back panel and the front panel. An inflator is in communication with the cavity. A clip is fixed to the back panel and is engaged with the frame.

Abstract: A door intrusion apparatus for a vehicle having a door and a rocker with a vertically extending wall defining a catcher opening. The apparatus includes a projection horizontally extending from the door and a projection trap attached to the vertically extending wall inside the rocker and below the catcher opening. In a side impact collision, the projection trap engages the projection thereby minimizing the door from intruding into a vehicle cabin.