In a collision determination device for determining a type of front collision of a vehicle, a collision determination unit is configured to determine that the collision type is full overlap front collision as collision of the vehicle with an obstacle across substantially the entire width of a front surface of a vehicle body in a case where initial values as values at an early phase of the collision for a first lateral acceleration and a second lateral acceleration are both less than a full overlap determination threshold as a negative value.

A vehicular seat cushion airbag is disclosed. The seat cushion airbag includes a first cushion, which is mounted on a seat cushion of a vehicle so as to be expanded at the rear portion of a passenger's thigh, and a second cushion, which extends from the first cushion in an upward direction of a bolster portion of the seat cushion so as to be expanded toward the lateral side surface of the passenger's thigh, wherein the first cushion is expanded at the rear portion of the passenger's thigh so as to prevent forward movement of the passenger's pelvis, and the second cushion is expanded toward the lateral side surface of the passenger's thigh so as to prevent outward spreading of the passenger's legs.

A vehicle airbag device includes: an inflator configured to generate gas when a first squib and a second squib are fired, respectively; an airbag including a main bag portion configured to inflate and deploy between an occupant seated in a passenger seat and an instrument panel and between the occupant and a windshield when the gas generated by the inflator is supplied into the airbag, and a center bag portion configured to project between the passenger seat and a driver seat from the main bag portion; and a controlling portion configured to control the inflator such that, when a head-on collision occurs, the second squib is fired after the first squib is fired, and when an oblique collision occurs, the second squib is fired after the first squib is fired and at a timing earlier than that when the head-on collision occurs.

A hinge for a hood assembly of the type used in a motor vehicles. The hinge includes at least one structural composite component, attached to one of the hood and the body of a vehicle, and configured to include a plastic portion overmolded into a core panel.

A protection system comprises at least one inflatable safety structure, each associated with a gas generator that can be activated by an external command, wherein the external command comprises an electrical signal from an automated system that is responsible for the critical safety functions of a vehicle, corresponding to predictive information about an impact. The gas generator is configured to generate a gas over a time period such that the total inflation time of the inflatable structure is greater than 50 milliseconds. The inflatable structure may be waterproof.

A restraint system (10) for helping to protect an occupant (60) of a vehicle (20) having a seat (50) for the occupant (60) includes a primary airbag (70) having a stored condition within the roof (32) and being inflatable to a deployed condition extending into the cabin (40) on a first side of the seat (50). A support airbag (76) has a stored condition within the roof (32) and is inflatable to a deployed condition on a second side of the seat (50) opposite the first side. Tethers (120) connect the primary airbag (70) and the support airbag (76) such that occupant (60) penetration into the primary airbag (70) pulls the support airbag (76) into engagement with the seat (50).

An energy absorber for interposition between a cover and a covered object includes a generally planar matrix of cells. Each of the cells includes a plurality of generally elongate micro-elements interconnected to form a cell micro-structure, with each cell having a respective energy absorption capacity such that an energy absorption capacity of the energy absorber varies across at least one direction. The cells are configured such that impulse of an object with the cover with the energy absorber sandwiched between the cover and the covered object causes a deceleration vs. time response in the object, beginning with a generally linear rise in the deceleration to a peak deceleration within 5 ms after the beginning of the impulse event, followed by a generally nonlinear decrease in the deceleration over a period of not greater than 15 ms to a final target deceleration of not greater than 10% of the peak deceleration.

A crash sensor system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU has an accelerometer to measure longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. Front crash satellite sensors are mounted at the front of the vehicle to detect a front or a rear crash event. When a front or rear crash event occurs, the first accelerometer is utilized to determine if the crash occurred at the front or the rear of the vehicle, regardless of the polarity of the front crash satellite sensors.

An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a seat in a vehicle having an instrument panel and a housing positioned therein includes an airbag for positioning in the housing and defining an inflatable volume for receiving inflation fluid from an inflator. The airbag includes an occupant-facing panel. A tether has a first end connected to the occupant-facing panel for forming a pocket therein and a second end connected to a portion of the airbag positioned within the housing. The second end includes a folded-over portion. First stitching extends through the folded-over portion in a direction extending transverse to a centerline of the tether. Second stitching extends through the folded-over portion and parallel to the first stitching. The first and second stitchings are spaced a predetermined length from one another.

A sleeping occupant crash protection system includes an occupant sleeping compartment positioned within an autonomous vehicle. A substantially flat platform of the occupant sleeping compartment supports an occupant reclining in a horizontal sleep position. An elastic bedsheet is positioned in direct contact with an upper surface of the platform positioned between the occupant and the platform. A sensing system is in communication with the occupant sleeping compartment and triggers deployment of a bedsheet displacement system during a vehicle rapid deceleration event.