Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Joseph D McCleary

Gary Lee Jones

Jenne-Tai Wang

David Charles Viano

Edward A Jedrzejczak

William E Thomas

Chandra S Namuduri

Alan L Browne

Scott R Webb

Francis D Wood

Ching-Shan Cheng

Richard A McCormick

Mark J Sawade

An energy absorbing knee bolster for use in an interior of a vehicle is disclosed. An energy absorbing support structure is configured to support an instrument panel within a vehicle. The energy absorbing structure has a deployable tubular mechanism for absorbing occupant impact energy and an impact plate coupled to the tubular mechanism for absorbing occupant energy. An energy absorbing locking mechanism is disposed between the impact plate and the support structure. The locking mechanism is configured to encourage the collapse of the tubular means for absorbing energy in a telescopic fashion.

Deployable knee bolster for instrument panel

A new and improved seat belt retractor system having an electronic control unit which is adapted to receive a signal from a sensor responsive to the buckling of the seat belt and causes an electric motor acting through a chain drive to drivingly rotate a reel in one direction for providing a predetermined seat belt loading on the seat occupant and that is responsive to the braking of the vehicle under emergency conditions to increase the tensioning of the seat belt to a level that exceeds the predetermined seat belt loading.

Seat belt retractor system

A knee bolster system is capable of automatic extension and retraction during specified scenarios that are determined based on sensor input. A microprocessor electrically controls an actuator capable of extending at least one telescoping mechanism which is rigidly engaged to a knee bolster pad located in the lower portion of an instrument panel at knee height to an occupant. Each telescoping mechanism houses a plowing mechanism. This plowing mechanism generates reaction forces during actuation.

Extendable and retractable knee bolster system

An externally visible indication of incipient automotive vehicle motion is displayed based on information from the vehicle operator, the engine and the transmission, as interpreted by the vehicle controller, wherein acceleration information is selectively provided during throttle tip-in while the transmission is in a low gear, and wherein brake information is provided when the brake pedal is depressed. Unique external displays of the incipient motion, sensitive to ambient light levels, are provided in forward areas of the vehicle.

Vehicle action lighting

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Clinton Township, MI, United States of America

Joseph D McCleary