Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes an occupant seat, three-point seatbelt device, and an airbag module mounted to the seat. The three-point seatbelt device has a webbing that is configured to, when the occupant is seated on the seat, extend from an upper side in a vicinity of the occupant's outboard shoulder to a lower side in a vicinity of an inboard side of the occupant's waist and obliquely across the occupant's upper body so as to restrain the upper body. The airbag module has an airbag cushion and an inflator for providing inflation gas for the airbag cushion. In a crash event the airbag cushion inflates and deploys from the seat in a vicinity of the occupant's inboard shoulder obliquely across the occupant's upper body, and in a fully deployed state the airbag cushion directly connects to the webbing extended across the occupant's upper body.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes an occupant seat, three-point seatbelt device, and an airbag module mounted to the seat. The three-point seatbelt device has a webbing that is configured to, when the occupant is seated on the seat, extend from an upper side in a vicinity of the occupant's outboard shoulder to a lower side in a vicinity of an inboard side of the occupant's waist and obliquely across the occupant's upper body so as to restrain the upper body. The airbag module has an airbag cushion and an inflator for providing inflation gas for the airbag cushion. In a crash event the airbag cushion inflates and deploys from the seat in a vicinity of the occupant's inboard shoulder obliquely across the occupant's upper body, and in a fully deployed state the airbag cushion directly connects to the webbing extended across the occupant's upper body.

Abstract: A method of designing a motor vehicle is disclosed. The method includes simulating a collision of a motor vehicle using a computer model that corresponds to the motor vehicle. Collision data is collected from the simulation and used to determine calibration information for an air bag system.

Abstract: An impact absorbing airbag module is disclosed. The module includes a chassis that holds an inflator, and is connected to a mounting system. The chassis includes a forward side wall, a first lateral side wall, a second lateral side wall, and a rear side wall. One of the side walls includes a deforming zone that includes a first angled portion and a second angled portion. In some cases, the deforming zone extends around the periphery of the chassis.

Abstract: A method of designing a motor vehicle is disclosed. The method includes simulating a collision of a motor vehicle using a computer model that corresponds to the motor vehicle. Collision data is collected from the simulation and used to determine calibration information for an air bag system.

Abstract: An impact absorbing airbag module is disclosed. The module includes a chassis that holds an inflator, and is connected to a mounting system. The chassis includes a forward side wall, a first lateral side wall, a second lateral side wall, and a rear side wall. One of the side walls includes a deforming zone that includes a first angled portion and a second angled portion. In some cases, the deforming zone extends around the periphery of the chassis.

Abstract: An impact absorbing airbag module is disclosed. The module includes a chassis that holds an inflator, and is connected to a mounting system. The chassis includes a forward side wall, a first lateral side wall, a second lateral side wall, and a rear side wall. One of the side walls includes a deforming zone that includes a first angled portion and a second angled portion. In some cases, the deforming zone extends around the periphery of the chassis.

Abstract: An impact absorbing airbag module is disclosed. The module includes a chassis that holds an inflator, and is connected to a mounting system. The chassis includes a forward side wall, a first lateral side wall, a second lateral side wall, and a rear side wall. One of the side walls includes a deforming zone that includes a first angled portion and a second angled portion. In some cases, the deforming zone extends around the periphery of the chassis.

Abstract: An impact absorbing airbag module is disclosed. The module includes a chassis that holds an inflator, and is connected to a mounting system. The chassis includes a forward side wall, a first lateral side wall, a second lateral side wall, and a rear side wall. One of the side walls includes a deforming zone that includes a first angled portion and a second angled portion. In some cases, the deforming zone extends around the periphery of the chassis.

Abstract: An impact absorbing airbag module is disclosed. The module includes a chassis that holds an inflator, and is connected to a mounting system. The chassis includes a forward side wall, a first lateral side wall, a second lateral side wall, and a rear side wall. One of the side walls includes a deforming zone that includes a first angled portion and a second angled portion. In some cases, the deforming zone extends around the periphery of the chassis.

Abstract: A frame and support assembly for a vehicle lacking a conventional, separate B-pillar includes first and second frame members and a plurality of support assemblies. Each support assembly includes a plurality of bulkheads, a pair of outriggers, and a cross member. The bulkheads are incorporated into first and second side sill assemblies. The outriggers extend between the side sill assemblies and the first and second frame members. The cross members extend between the first and second first frame members.

Abstract: An impact reduction vehicle bumper system for a vehicle has a pedestrian safety plate, which is connected to a steel bumper beam and occupies the region between a pair of frame rails that are disposed on the front of the vehicle. The bumper beam is connected to side brackets, which are bolted to the vehicle frame rails. Frame rail extensions are located in front of the frame rails and are welded to the side brackets.

Abstract: A frame and support assembly for a vehicle lacking a conventional, separate B-pillar includes first and second frame members and a plurality of support assemblies. Each support assembly includes a plurality of bulkheads, a pair of outriggers, and a cross member. The bulkheads are incorporated into first and second side sill assemblies. The outriggers extend between the side sill assemblies and the first and second frame members. The cross members extend between the first and second first frame members. The strength of the bulkheads, outriggers, and cross members is selected such that the cross member is stiffer than the outriggers, and the outriggers are stiffer than the bulkheads so that the support assemblies progressively crush during a side impact.

Abstract: A frame and support assembly for a vehicle lacking a conventional, separate B-pillar includes first and second frame members and a plurality of support assemblies. Each support assembly includes a plurality of bulkheads, a pair of outriggers, and a cross member. The bulkheads are incorporated into first and second side sill assemblies. The outriggers extend between the side sill assemblies and the first and second frame members. The cross members extend between the first and second first frame members.

Abstract: A frame and support assembly for a vehicle lacking a conventional, separate B-pillar includes first and second frame members and a plurality of support assemblies. Each support assembly includes a plurality of bulkheads, a pair of outriggers, and a cross member. The bulkheads are incorporated into first and second side sill assemblies. The outriggers extend between the side sill assemblies and the first and second frame members. The cross members extend between the first and second first frame members. The strength of the bulkheads, outriggers, and cross members is selected such that the cross member is stiffer than the outriggers, and the outriggers are stiffer than the bulkheads so that the support assemblies progressively crush during a side impact.

Abstract: An impact reduction vehicle bumper system for a vehicle has a pedestrian safety plate, which is connected to a steel bumper beam and occupies the region between a pair of frame rails that are disposed on the front of the vehicle. The bumper beam is connected to side brackets, which are bolted to the vehicle frame rails. Frame rail extensions are located in front of the frame rails and are welded to the side brackets.