Abstract: A knee bolster assembly for a vehicle seat includes a knee bolster moveably mounted in proximity to the vehicle seat, the knee bolster selectively moveable between a first position, wherein a passenger is able to enter and exit the vehicle seat, and a second position, wherein the knee bolster is positioned directly in front of a seating surface of the vehicle seat, such that legs of a passenger seated within the vehicle seat are positioned between the seating surface of the vehicle seat and the knee bolster, the knee bolster adapted to prevent an occupant of the vehicle seat from sliding forward off the vehicle seat and restrict any hyper-extending of their lower legs due to forward inertia, and an energy absorbing device adapted to absorb energy when knees or legs of a passenger within the vehicle seat impact the knee bolster.

Abstract: A vehicle seat console has at least one vehicle-side guide element and at least one seat-side guide element which is arranged parallel to the vehicle-side guide element. The vehicle seat console also has at least one longitudinal adjustment device which is acted upon by a drive device and is designed to produce a relative adjustment between the vehicle-side guide element and the seat-side guide element. A force-limiting device with a force-limiting element is provided between the longitudinal adjustment device and the vehicle-side guide element and/or between the longitudinal adjustment device and the seat-side guide element. The force-limiting element has a first deformation section which deforms under the effect of a force acting thereon above a specified force threshold. The force-limiting element has a second deformation section which is guided by a deflecting assembly.

Abstract: A latch assembly that is adjustable between first and second backset settings. A cam is rotatable about a cam axis, and facilitates linear displacement of a latch link in a first direction. A multiplier link is rotatable about a multiplier link axis that is offset from the cam axis can be rotated in the first rotational direction by engagement with the latch link. A latch bar is coupled to the multiplier link and is linearly displaced in a second direction by rotation of the multiplier link in the first direction. The latch apparatus also includes a latch bolt that is coupled to the latch bar, the latch bolt being displaced toward a retracted position by the displacement of the latch bar in the second direction. The latch assembly can also include a dead latch link can block retraction of at least the latch bolt.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion including a cover, a frame and a pad, a plurality of parts of the cover being restrained to the frame and the pad; a cushion airbag device mounted in a front portion in the seat cushion and configured to inflate and deploy an airbag at a time of a frontal collision of a vehicle; and a restraint release part provided in a part of the cover positioned at at least one side in a seat front-rear direction with respect to the cushion airbag device among the plurality of parts of the cover. The restraint release part is configured to release the restraint of the part of the cover with an inflation pressure of the airbag.

Abstract: A roof airbag arrangement includes an airbag, first and second guide rails, at least one first sliding member and at least one second sliding member. The airbag longitudinally extends along a length between first and second longitudinal sides and laterally extending along a width between first and second lateral sides. The first and second guide rails are on laterally opposite sides of the airbag, and define first and second channels, respectively. The at least one first sliding member is mounted within the first guide rail for translation within the first channel. The at least one second sliding member is mounted within the second guide rail for translation within the second channel. First and second pluralities of tethers connect the first lateral side of the airbag with the at least one first sliding member and the second lateral side of the airbag with the at least one second sliding member, respectively.

Abstract: An impact energy management system for a vehicle includes an impact energy absorbing structure to absorb energy from an impact with an external object, and an energy management structure to manage energy from an impact with an internal displaceable object (e.g., a motor or steering rack) with one or more protected objects (e.g., a passenger compartment or battery). The energy management structure may include one or more swingarms or other members configured to protect the protected object from impact by directing the displaceable object down and/or away from the protected object during a collision.

Abstract: A latch assembly that is adjustable between first and second backset settings. A cam is rotatable about a cam axis, and facilitates linear displacement of a latch link in a first direction. A multiplier link is rotatable about a multiplier link axis that is offset from the cam axis can be rotated in the first rotational direction by engagement with the latch link. A latch bar is coupled to the multiplier link and is linearly displaced in a second direction by rotation of the multiplier link in the first direction. The latch apparatus also includes a latch bolt that is coupled to the latch bar, the latch bolt being displaced toward a retracted position by the displacement of the latch bar in the second direction. The latch assembly can also include a dead latch link can block retraction of at least the latch bolt.

Abstract: A vehicle seat device includes: a base member provided in a seat cushion or a seat back; a movable member rotatably connected to the base member; and stopper parts disposed to abut against each other on the base and movable members. The movable member rotates from a storage position and the rotation of the movable member is restricted at a deployment position so that a seat mode is changed. The vehicle seat device further includes an air bag interposed between the base and movable members and presses the base and movable members to rotate the movable member; and a clutch mechanism interposed between the base and movable members, allowing the rotation of the movable member in a deployment direction, and restricting the rotation of the movable member in a storage direction.

Abstract: A vehicle safety device has a connective rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the solenoid assembly connected with the distal end of the connective rod, and the solenoid assembly comprising a solenoid. The vehicle safety device includes a reinforced pad comprising a rigid support plate and a pad portion, the reinforced pad connected with the solenoid assembly. The vehicle safety device further includes an activation assembly comprising a relay device configured to transmit an activation signal to the solenoid.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises: a knee bolster; a movable obstruction disposed forward of the knee bolster; a seating assembly rearward of the knee bolster; a sensor that generates output; and a controller in communication with the sensor that (a) determines the attribute of the passenger from the output that the sensor generates, and (b) either (i) causes the movable obstruction to obstruct forward movement of the knee bolster based on the determined attribute of the passenger, or (ii) causes the movable obstruction not to obstruct the forward movement of the knee bolster based on the determined attribute of the passenger. The attribute of the passenger can be the weight of the passenger. The controller can cause the movable obstruction to obstruct forward movement of the knee bolster because the weight of the passenger is greater than a predetermined threshold weight.

Abstract: A restraint system for a vehicle includes an instrument panel and an airbag supported by the instrument panel. The restraint system includes a right deflector supported by the instrument panel adjacent the airbag. The right deflector is deployable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The restraint system includes a left deflector supported by the instrument panel adjacent the airbag opposite the right deflector in a cross-vehicle direction. The left deflector is deployable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The restraint system includes a first pyrotechnic device coupled to the right deflector and a second pyrotechnic device coupled to the left deflector.

Abstract: A restraint system includes a seat defining a centerline and including a seat bottom and a seatback. A pair of upper retractors are disposed on the seatback, a pair of lower retractors are disposed on the seat bottom, and a pair of middle retractors are disposed on the seat between the pairs of upper and lower retractors. Each pair of retractors includes one retractor disposed on each side of the centerline.

Abstract: An anti-submarining seat structure includes a seat frame, upholstery, an anti-submarining device, a sensor and a controller. The upholstery overlays the seat frame at least partially forming a seat cushion portion with a cavity between the seat frame and a portion of the upholstery adjacent to a front area of the seat frame. The anti-submarining device is installed within the cavity and is configured to transition from an unactuated orientation to an actuated orientation. In the actuated orientation, the anti-submarining device forms a restraining structure proximate the front area of the seat cushion portion. The sensor is configured to detect rapid changes in acceleration and velocity of the vehicle body structure. The controller is connected to the anti-submarining device and the sensor and is configured to actuate the anti-submarining device in response to signals from the sensor indicating a rapid change in acceleration and velocity of the vehicle body structure.

Abstract: Airbag assemblies including a housing assembly to be mounted above a vehicle occupant position, an inflator, and an inflatable cushion are provided. The inflatable cushion can include first and second lateral chambers and a frontal chamber disposed between the first and second lateral chambers. Airbag assemblies including a first inflatable cushion that is configured to deploy at a first lateral side and forward of a vehicle occupant position and a second inflatable cushion that is configured to deploy at a second lateral side and forward of the vehicle occupant position are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a ground-coupling arrangement for a vehicle comprising a ground receiving element for receiving a grounding object, wherein the ground receiving element is at least partially filled with a fluid which contacts the grounding object; at least one coupling means which is designed for coupling the grounding object to the ground receiving element by means of the fluid and thus to a vehicle structure that is rigidly connected to the vehicle, and/or for at least partially decoupling of the ground receiving element from the vehicle structure; and a hydraulic line which connects the coupling means to the fluid, wherein the grounding object compresses the fluid in the case of a crash and the coupling means directs the fluid out of the ground receiving element or reroutes the fluid in the ground receiving element.

Abstract: A system comprises a controller for a vehicle. The controller comprises a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor. The controller is programmed to receive data values from a sensor to detect infrared light. The sensor is in a line of sight to a vehicle foot well. The controller is further programmed to activate a knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the data values, that an object is present in the foot well. The controller is yet further programmed to deactivate the knee bolster upon determining, based at least in part on the data values, that there is no object in the foot well.

Abstract: A vehicle for use in an amusement park ride with upright passenger seating. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and a seat assembly including a seat pan provided in the vehicle body between a front end and a rear end of the vehicle body. The vehicle further includes a passenger restraint system with: (a) a lap bar assembly; (b) a lap bar mount pivotally supporting the lap bar assembly within the vehicle body to pivot about a lap bar rotation axis passing between the seat pan and the front end of the vehicle body; (c) a side leg shield; and (d) a shield articulating assembly concurrently pivoting the side leg shield about a shield rotation axis from an open to a closed position with a pivoting of the lap bar assembly about the lap bar rotation axis from a disengage to an engaged position.

Abstract: Techniques described herein include a system and method for switching an airbag on or off based on determining that an object situated in a vehicle seat meets one or more conditions. In some embodiments, the vehicle seat may be fitted with a weight sensor configured to detect an object situated in the vehicle seat. The system may include a camera device configured to capture image information associated with the object situated in the vehicle seat. The image information may be processed to determine if the object is a person meeting one or more threshold conditions for activating the airbag. Upon processing the image information, the airbag may be provided with instructions to either activate or deactivate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible impact protection member for mounting to a first member to protect either or both the first member and a second member that impacts thereon. The protection member has a several mobile portions, each being mounted end on end to each other. There is at least one tensile connection between adjacent mobile portions to lock each of the mobile portions to each other to form the flexible impact protection member. At least one portion of the flexible impact protection member can be se cured to the first member. The flexible impact protection member at least in part extends away from the first member when the first member is in a normal operation mode or orientation. The flexible impact protection member can deflect from its normal shape due to an impact event with the second member by the plurality of mobile portions moving relative to each other, such movement increasing tension in the tensile connection and therefore increasing stiffness of the flexible impact protection member.

Abstract: Techniques described herein include a system and method for switching an airbag on or off based on determining that an object situated in a vehicle seat meets one or more conditions. In some embodiments, the vehicle seat may be fitted with a weight sensor configured to detect an object situated in the vehicle seat. The system may include a camera device configured to capture image information associated with the object situated in the vehicle seat. The image information may be processed to determine if the object is a person meeting one or more threshold conditions for activating the airbag. Upon processing the image information, the airbag may be provided with instructions to either activate or deactivate.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag assembly includes first and second walls sealably connected to define an inflatable bladder having an interior volume that is operable between inflated and deflated states. At least one pleat is defined within at least one of the first and second walls, and defines an expanded portion of the interior volume. First and second slits are defined within the first wall that define a vent in communication with the expanded portion of the interior volume, wherein the vent defines an open position with the inflatable bladder in the deflated state, and wherein the vent moves to a closed position as the inflatable bladder operates to the inflated state.

Abstract: An active bolster for an interior trim surface of an automotive vehicle has a plastic-molded outer trim panel with a closed-loop bonding section on an inside surface. A plastic-molded expandable bladder member has a central attachment section configured to attach to a support structure of the vehicle, a bonding flange along an peripheral edge, and a baffle section between the central attachment section and the bonding flange. The closed-loop bonding section and the bonding flange are configured to define a substantially closed toroidal region therebetween. An attachment body is molded in-situ to substantially fill the toroidal region. As a result of the in-situ molding of the attachment body in the toroidal region, the trim panel and bladder member become bonded via the attachment body resulting in a high bonding strength.

Abstract: An active bolster mounts at an interior trim surface of a passenger compartment in an automotive vehicle. A plastic-molded, expandable front wall deploys toward a passenger in the passenger compartment. A plastic-molded back wall is joined around a substantially sealed perimeter with the front wall to form an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes an inflator receptacle defined by a raised recess wall having an inflator aperture. An inflator with a gas outlet end and an electrical connector end is received in the inflator aperture with the gas outlet end inside the inflatable bladder. The recess wall has a predetermined thickness for substantially retaining shape during inflation of the bladder. The inflator receptacle includes a flexible seal disposed around an inner edge of the inflator aperture comprised of a flashing edge bearing against the inflator and having a thickness less than the predetermined thickness of the recess wall.

Abstract: An active bolster at an interior trim surface of an automotive vehicle has a plastic-molded outer trim panel and a plastic-molded expandable bladder member. The bladder member has a central attachment section configured to attach to a support structure of the vehicle, a welding flange welded to the trim panel, and a baffle section between the attachment section and the welding flange. An inflator couples an inflation gas into a space between the trim panel and bladder member to expand the bladder member in response to a crash event of the vehicle. The welding flange has a generally-rectangular profile with a pair of long edges and a pair of short edges. The baffle section includes circumferential pleats providing an expansion length of the bladder member that is greater at the long edges than at the short edges to reduce stress on the weld along its weakest point.

Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag comprising foam bulk at least partially surrounded by a flexible membrane, the airbag compressible from a second volume to a first volume; a locking mechanism for maintaining the airbag compressed to the first volume; a one-way valve openable to deliver air to the airbag when the locking mechanism is released; and wherein when the locking mechanism is released, the airbag expands.

Abstract: An active bolster is integrated within a seat for a transportation vehicle by covering an inner inflatable bladder with an outer cushion layer to provide a seating support surface. Seating loads are borne on the support surface from the weight of an occupant by elastic deformation of the bladder. When a vehicle crash event is detected, at least a portion of the bladder is inflated to extend a seat surface to protect the occupant. Size and weight of the seat are reduced as a result of the bladder contributing significantly to the normal cushioning of the seat in everyday usage.

Abstract: An energy absorber includes opposing aligned crush lobes expandable in opposite directions, and when expanded, potentially collapse with different energy-absorbing rates and stroke distances. The energy absorber forms a subassembly design that is adaptable and easily modified for predetermined energy absorption crush curves and specific energy-absorbing circumstances, such that it can be used inside a vehicle passenger compartment or outside a vehicle in different locations, such as for a knee bolster on the instrument panel, or on a door inner panel, or on an under-knee seat component, or on a headliner or A-pillar cover, or hood-lifter for pedestrian safety. One version of the energy absorber includes formed sheets bonded along a perimeter to define two cavities and an inflator-holding pocket connected to the cavities by integrally-formed tunnels.

Abstract: An internal deployable vehicle panel assembly includes an inner panel, an outer panel and a deployable energy absorber. The inner panel includes a first mounting structure that movably couples the inner panel to a vehicle component to move between a closed position to cover an access opening to a vehicle storage compartment and an open position to reveal the access opening. The outer panel includes a second mounting structure that is removably coupled to a third mounting structure of the inner panel. The deployable energy absorber is disposed between the inner and outer panels in an undeployed state. The deployable energy absorber is free from fixed attachment to the outer panel and energizable to a deployed state in which the deployable energy absorber separates the outer panel from the inner panel and displaces the outer panel away from the inner panel.

Abstract: An active bolster for automotive crash protection has front and back walls with their outer peripheral edges sealed together to provide a bladder chamber therebetween. A gas source supplies an expansion gas to inflate the bladder chamber during a crash. The back wall has a pleated section comprising a plurality of generally-parallel rows of generally-circumferential pleats that unfold during inflation. The unfolding of the pleats controls a deployment trajectory of the front wall, and the pleats have an undulating transverse curve length corresponding to a maximum trajectory of the front wall. The pleated section further comprises a plurality of transverse ribs joining adjacent pleats in selected locations to reduced the unfolding during inflation to provide a modified deployment trajectory.

Abstract: An inflatable bolster for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle comprises a hollow body having a first wall having a central area and a circumferential area surrounding the central area, a second wall opposite the first wall, and an air chamber formed between the first and second walls. The inflatable bolster also comprises an inflator for injecting a pressurized fluid into the air chamber which is mounted to the hollow body. The inflatable bolster also comprises a plurality of concentric extension pleats formed in the first wall. The extension pleats extend around a major part of the circumferential area. The extension pleats contact the second wall at a plurality of contact points which are distributed across the second wall. The plurality of contact points is sufficient in number to at least partially suppress audible vibration of the second wall.

Abstract: A present invention provides a knee bolster for a vehicle including a first bracket with a first support portion, a first load receiving portion, and a first deformation portion, and a second bracket with a second support portion, a second load receiving portion, and a second deformation portion, wherein the second bracket is arranged such that the distance between the second load receiving portion and the knee is shorter than the distance between the first load receiving portion and the knee in the load application direction.

Abstract: There is provided a passive safety device which can prevent an occupant from moving when an acceleration that causes the occupant to move in a vehicle is working on the occupant, and which can improve the ride comfort. A passive safety device of the present invention comprises an acceleration detecting unit that detects an acceleration of a vehicle, a seat adjusting unit that expands a seat side of a seat in order to prevent an occupant sitting down the seat from moving, a safety belt adjusting unit that controls tension of a safety belt worn by the occupant, and a control unit that controls an expansion of the seat side and/or the tension of the safety belt through the seat adjusting unit and the safety belt adjusting unit, based on the detected acceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: An active bolster for an automotive vehicle has base wall for mounting against a rigid structure of the vehicle. A front wall overlies the base wall and forms an interior trim piece of the vehicle. The base wall has a first surface facing the front wall, and the front wall has a second surface facing the base wall. The base wall and front wall are joined around a closed perimeter to form an inflatable bladder with an initial open space between the first and second surfaces. The base wall includes a wide rib projecting from the first surface continuously along the closed perimeter, the wide rib having a minimum radial width along the closed perimeter equal to a first predetermined radial width. The front wall includes a plurality of narrow ribs projecting concentrically from the second surface continuously along the closed perimeter.

Abstract: An active material-enabled overhead protection system (24) for protecting the occupants of vehicles (20) with overhead glass (22), such as sunroofs or panoramic windshields, during rollover events. The system (24) includes a protective structure (26) and a deployment device (28). The protective structure (26) has a stowed condition in which it does not obstruct the overhead glass (22), and a deployed condition in which it is interposed between the overhead glass (22) and the heads of the occupants of the vehicle (20). The deployment device (28) moves the protective structure (26) from the stowed condition to the deployed condition. The deployment device (28) includes a trigger (30) operable to initiate movement of the protective structure (26), and the trigger (30) includes an active material which can change shape in response to an actuation signal, and the change in shape initiates deployment of the protective structure (26).

Abstract: An active bolster has a plastic-molded, expandable inner wall and a plastic-molded outer wall overlying the inner wall are joined around a closed perimeter region to form an inflatable bladder. One wall surface includes a plurality of upstanding, concentric ribs within the closed perimeter region for providing attachment between the inner and outer walls which is preserved during inflation of the inflatable bladder. The concentric ribs include an innermost rib and an outermost rib. Each concentric rib has a respective window, wherein the windows are respectively offset to provide a to serpentine path through the concentric ribs from the central volume to atmosphere outside the outermost rib. At least one of the windows is closed by a breakaway seal configured to prevent flow of the inflation gas through the serpentine path until it ruptures at a predetermined pressure during inflation of the inflatable bladder.

Abstract: An active bolster for an automotive vehicle has an inflatable bladder formed by a reaction wall for mounting against a rigid structure of the vehicle and an expansion wall overlying the base wall. The base wall and expansion wall are comprised of molded plastic components. At least one of the reaction wall and the expansion wall includes a plurality of tether tabs, each tether tab having a contoured edge defining a movable flap. The contoured edge has first and second ends defining a first hinge axis and a pair of complementary undulations defining a second hinge axis substantially parallel to the first hinge axis. The movable flap has an attachment region joined to the other one of the reaction wall and the expansion wall, and the second hinge axis extends between the attachment region and the first hinge axis.

Abstract: An active bolster for protecting an occupant during a crash event of a motor vehicle includes a back wall and a front wall forming an inflatable bladder. The back wall includes a stationary central mounting section and a pleated section with generally-circumferential pleats that unfold during bladder inflation. The pleats provide a transverse curve length that is radially variable with a greatest transverse curve length toward a first end of the wall and a smallest transverse curve length toward an opposite end of the wall so that expansion of the wall is biased toward the to first end.

Abstract: An active bolster for a door of a transportation vehicle comprises a sheet metal door frame with a plurality of brackets. A door cover panel is mounted to the door frame. The cover panel has a bolster aperture, a living hinge disposed around the perimeter of the bolster aperture, and a plurality of mounting bosses. A blow-molded bladder is arranged to fit within the bolster aperture having a front surface substantially co-planar with the cover panel, having a pleated back surface, and having a plurality of side mounting tabs extending laterally from the sides of the bladder. Each side mounting tab is attached to a respective mounting boss and includes a respective tear seam configured to pull away from the respective mounting boss during inflation of the bladder. A plurality of capture pins are insert molded into the back surface. Each pin is captured by a respective bracket.

Abstract: An active bolster for passenger crash protection in a vehicle comprises a base wall and a front wall, the walls having first and second facing surfaces to form an inflatable bladder with an initial open space between the surfaces. The bladder includes a plurality of tear joints. Each tear joint is comprised of first and second upstanding ribs wherein the first upstanding rib extends from the first surface part way into the open space and extends end-to-end along a first direction. The second upstanding rib extends from the second surface part way into the open space to contact the first upstanding rib and extends end-to-end substantially along a second direction that is substantially transverse to the first direction so that the first and second upstanding ribs contact at an intersection.

Abstract: An air-bag device capable of improving degree of freedom in setting of reaction forces according to physical frames of occupants, a vehicle occupant's lower limb protecting device and a device for protecting an occupant at the time of vehicle side collision using the air-bag device. Knees of an occupant of large build whose inertia load at the time of collision is great are assuredly protected by collective energy absorbing action of the upper cylinders (121, 121) and the lower cylinders (122, 122) at the time of collision. In a case of an occupant of small build whose inertia load at the time of collision is small, loads from the upper cylinders (121, 121) and the lower cylinders (122, 122) are exerted on the occupant in appropriate proportions according to physical size of the occupant to fulfill impact absorption at the time of collision.

Abstract: A head restraint device (10) provides sideways restraint for a vehicle occupant's head (41) with restraint members (28) The restraint members (28) are movable between and operative position in which they extend on either side of the head (41) and a retracted position in which they are no longer positioned to the side of the head, so not impinging sideways motion of the head and/or access into or out of the vehicle. The restraint members (28) pivot between the two positions.

Abstract: An active bolster system for a vehicle includes a trim substrate panel adapted to be mounted to a structural element of the vehicle, wherein the substrate panel has a bolster opening. A bolster has a main body configured to fit within the bolster opening, wherein the main body has an A-side substantially flush with the substrate panel and a B-side facing the structural element. The main body has a plurality of lateral side tabs extending from the main body, and the main body expands during a deployment of the active bolster system so that a distance between the A-side and B-side increases. A retainer bracket retains the bolster against the substrate panel, wherein the retainer bracket comprises a frame extending around a periphery of the main body.

Abstract: An inflatable knee airbag is typically stored in a packaged state within an airbag housing. The housing often has a cover, which can be either a cosmetic cover or an unfinished cover, if the cover will not be readily visible to an occupant. During inflatable airbag deployment, the housing may contribute to determining the airbag's trajectory. A car-forward portion of an airbag housing that is horizontally oriented may rotate in a car-downward direction to allow a deployment trajectory of the deploying airbag to be more vertically oriented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a headrest system comprising: a headrest device (1); a plurality of sensors (2, 3); and an electromechanical headrest device positioning system, associated to said sensors (2, 3). Data are recorded during an upward movement of the headrest device (1), relating to the distance between the headrest device (1) and the head in a plurality of positions of the headrest device (1) throughout said upward movement. The upward movement ends when, through the sensors, the system detects that the headrest is at a certain height. Based on this data recorded during the upward movement, the headrest device (1) is moved substantially horizontally until it is located at a certain distance from the head.

Abstract: A casing 53 is coupled to an air bag door 40, and an air bag reaction force is loaded on the air bag door 40 via the casing 53. Since the general portion 42 of the air bag door 40 is fixed to the tear line outer portion 23 of the glove door outer member 20 at the cabin-side surface 42a and is fixed to the glove door inner member 30 at the opposite cabin-side surface 42b, the reaction force of the air bag loaded on the air bag door 40 can be borne by not only the fixing strength between the general portion 42 of the air bag door 40 and the tear line outer portion 23 of the glove door outer member 20 but also the glove door inner member 30 until the air bag 51 expands to break the tear portion 21. As a result, the fixing portion between the general portion 42 of the air bag door 40 and the tear line outer portion 23 of the glove door outer member 20 is prevented from being broken.

Abstract: A column-mounted knee airbag device in which a knee airbag can be correctly deployed even when the position of a steering column has changed due to a telescopic function. The column-mounted knee airbag device is equipped with a knee airbag folded inside a column cover covering a steering column main body having a telescopic function, and an inflator that generates gas when a vehicle impact is detected or predicted. The knee airbag opens an airbag door of a column cover by deployment pressure when supplied with gas, and deploys between an instrument panel and the knees of a driver. Gas ejection holes that supply gas from the inflator to the knee airbag are disposed, when viewed from the side with the steering column in a state positioned furthest to the front due to a telescopic function, further to the rear than the instrument panel in the vehicle front-rear direction.

Abstract: In a knee airbag device for a vehicle, which has upper and lower tethers that extend in a vehicle width direction and regulate a bag thickness of an airbag, and in which gas from an inflator is supplied between the upper and lower tethers, it is aimed to make a flow of the gas toward an upper portion and a lower portion from between the upper and lower tethers at the inside of the knee airbag smoother, and to improve deployability of the knee airbag in a vehicle vertical direction. Upper and lower tethers 16 and 18 are arranged to be separated from each other in the vehicle vertical direction and are formed so that a vertical clearance therebetween increases approaching both vehicle width direction end portions 16A and 18A thereof.

Abstract: In a knee airbag device mounted on a steering column, an opening that provides a workspace when a wire harness connector that extends from the steering column is connected to a wiring connector provided at one end portion of an inflator is formed in a side wall of a lower cover (or column cover) opposite the connector of the inflator. By using the opening, the connector of the wire harness may be easily connected to the connector of the inflator, which is mounted transversely with respect to the axial direction of the steering column. The opening is closed by a lid.

Abstract: A vehicle member generally comprises a thermally activated shape memory material in operative communication with a pyrotechnic device. The pyrotechnic device is effective to thermally change a dimension, a shape, an orientation change, an elastic modulus property change or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing properties of the shape memory material, which results in a structural and/or mechanical change to the vehicle member.

Abstract: An active material-enabled overhead protection system (24) for protecting the occupants of vehicles (20) with overhead glass (22), such as sunroofs or panoramic windshields, during rollover events. The system (24) includes a protective structure (26) and a deployment device (28). The protective structure (26) has a stowed condition in which it does not obstruct the overhead glass (22), and a deployed condition in which it is interposed between the overhead glass (22) and the heads of the occupants of the vehicle (20). The deployment device (28) moves the protective structure (26) from the stowed condition to the deployed condition. The deployment device (28) includes a trigger (30) operable to initiate movement of the protective structure (26), and the trigger (30) includes an active material which can change shape in response to an actuation signal, and the change in shape initiates deployment of the protective structure (26).