Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Senthil N Karuppaswamy

Alan L Browne

Tricia E Morrow

Chandra S Namuduri

Nancy L Johnson

Paul W Alexander

Nilesh D Mankame

Scott David Thomas

Adrian B Chernoff

Robin Stevenson

Dorel M Sala

Mark A Kramarczyk

Pablo D Zavattieri

James Y Khoury

Rainer A Glaser

Naresh Kini

Pramod Joshi

Teodorico G Terry

Naveen Ramachandrappa

Matthew W Derkach

An airbag assembly according to the present disclosure includes an airbag cushion and a first tether. The airbag cushion is configured to be stored in a roof of a vehicle when the airbag cushion is uninflated. The airbag cushion is configured to at least partially cover an opening in a sidewall of the vehicle when the airbag cushion is inflated. The first tether is coupled to a forward edge of the airbag cushion at a first location. The first tether is configured to be coupled to a body of the vehicle at a second location. A length of the first tether between the first and second locations is configured to vary as the airbag cushion is deployed.

Roof rail airbag including a variable-length tether attaching an edge of the roof rail airbag to a vehicle body structure

In accordance with various embodiments, methods, systems, and vehicles are provided. In various embodiments, the vehicle includes a body; one or more occupant seats disposed within the body for an occupant of the vehicle; and, for each occupant seat, a restraint device, one or more sensible elements, and one or more sensors. The restraint device is configured to provide restraint for the occupant when the restraint device is properly worn by the occupant. The one or more sensors are disposed within the occupant seat. The one or more sensible elements are disposed as part of the restraint device. The one or more sensors are disposed within the occupant seat, and are configured to sense the one or more sensible elements when the one or more sensible elements are in proximity to the one or more sensors, as an indication that the restraint device is not properly worn by the occupant.

Misrouted seatbelt webbing

Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for determining the state of a restraint system provided within a vehicle includes incorporating one or more marker components into a restraint system component located within the vehicle, then receiving sensor data associated with the position of one or more of the marker components. The method further includes determining, with a processor, a state of the restraint system based on the sensor data.

Detection and classification of restraint system state

A latch plate is selectively latched to, and selectively unlatched from, a buckle. An extender is moved by the latch plate to a retracted position when the latch plate is latched to the buckle and moves to an extended position when the latch plate is unlatched from the buckle.

Seat belt buckle extender

A roof rack assembly, and a vehicle including the roof rack assembly, includes a support structure and a multifunctional apparatus supported by the support structure. The multifunctional apparatus is configured to operate as an awning structure, a concealment structure and a storage structure. At least a portion of the multifunctional apparatus is movable relative to the support structure between a storage position in which the multifunctional apparatus is not operable and a use position in which the multifunctional apparatus is operable.

Roof rack assembly and a vehicle

In an embodiment, a device comprises an active material. Activation of the active material causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain an object without engaging the object below a surface of the object. In another embodiment, contact with an object causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain the object. In yet another embodiment, an object holder can comprise: a recess, a cover disposed over the recess, and a switch configured to cause the active material to retain a deformed shape in the recess. The cover comprises an active material. The active material is configured to deform into the recess when contacted with an object.

Active material adaptive object holders

A self-presenting device includes, a member in physical communication with a vehicle surface, wherein the member is configured to have a first form and a second form, wherein the first form is configured to store the member and the second form is configured to present the member, and an active material in operable communication with the member, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the member from the first form to the second form.

Active material enabled self-presenting devices

An apparatus is provided that offers a flexible amount of vehicle cargo space, allowing a vehicle user the option of additional vehicle cargo space when needed. A first member is operatively connected to the vehicle door, is nestable within a door cavity within the door, and is selectively movable to an extended position for partially defining an exterior cargo space. Preferably, a second member is substantially nested within an additional cavity formed in the first member and is selectively movable to an extended position for partially enclosing the exterior cargo space. Preferably, a second vehicle door substantially identical and adjacent to the first vehicle door includes members substantially identical to the first and second members postionable to define, along with the first and second members and the doors, the exterior cargo space. A method for achieving this flexible cargo space is also provided.

Apparatus for extending vehicle cargo space and method for same

A vehicle door structure includes an outer member, and an inner member spaced apart from the outer member and having structure forming an opening therein. An impact beam is affixed to the door structure and has a paddle member integrally formed therewith. The impact beam and the paddle member are laterally aligned with a compliant target through the opening in the inner member. Upon a lateral impact, the impact beam and paddle member move together toward the target, pushing the target inboard of the impact.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Senthil N Karuppaswamy