Patents by Inventor Thomas Kapfelsperger

Thomas Kapfelsperger has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11951930
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a diffusor for a gas generator of an airbag module, comprising a substantially tubular base body with a longitudinal axis, a baffle cap axially connected to the base body at a first end of the diffusor and a connecting device configured at a second end of the diffusor opposite to the first end. At least one outflow opening is formed in an outer wall of the tubular base body such that gas can flow out of an interior of the diffusor substantially in parallel to a longitudinal axis in the direction of the first end and the second end from the diffusor. The baffle cap is free from an outflow opening. The disclosure further relates to a gas generator comprising such a diffusor, as well as an airbag module including such a gas generator. Moreover, a method for manufacturing the diffusor is also proved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Airbag Germany GmnH
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Thomas Kapfelsperger, Bernd Weber, Michael Schmökel
  • Patent number: 11945397
    Abstract: In an assembly group comprising a cap of a tubular gas generator and a deflector element that deflects gas flowing out of at least one outflow opening of the cap to at least one discharge opening of the deflector element, a deflection surface of the deflector element is arranged radially outwardly of the outflow opening. At least two securing arms of the deflector element extend through the outflow opening and engage behind an edge defining the outflow opening on an inside in a positive connection with the cap. The cap is fixed firmly to an axial end of the tubular gas generator. Subsequently, the deflector element is slid from an outside of the cap with its securing arms through the outflow opening, the securing arms forming a positive connection with the edge of the outflow opening which fixes the deflector element firmly to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Airbag Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Thomas Kapfelsperger, Michael Schmökel
  • Publication number: 20220340100
    Abstract: In an assembly group comprising a cap of a tubular gas generator and a deflector element that deflects gas flowing out of at least one outflow opening of the cap to at least one discharge opening of the deflector element, a deflection surface of the deflector element is arranged radially outwardly of the outflow opening. At least two securing arms of the deflector element extend through the outflow opening and engage behind an edge defining the outflow opening on an inside in a positive connection with the cap. The cap is fixed firmly to an axial end of the tubular gas generator. Subsequently, the deflector element is slid from an outside of the cap with its securing arms through the outflow opening, the securing arms forming a positive connection with the edge of the outflow opening which fixes the deflector element firmly to the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Thomas Kapfelsperger, Michael Schmökel
  • Publication number: 20220324410
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a diffusor for a gas generator of an airbag module, comprising a substantially tubular base body with a longitudinal axis, a baffle cap axially connected to the base body at a first end of the diffusor and a connecting device configured at a second end of the diffusor opposite to the first end. At least one outflow opening is formed in an outer wall of the tubular base body such that gas can flow out of an interior of the diffusor substantially in parallel to a longitudinal axis in the direction of the first end and the second end from the diffusor. The baffle cap is free from an outflow opening. The disclosure further relates to a gas generator comprising such a diffusor, as well as an airbag module including such a gas generator. Moreover, a method for manufacturing the diffusor is also proved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Thomas Kapfelsperger, Bernd Weber, Michael Schmökel
  • Patent number: 10358108
    Abstract: An adaptive deployable restraint element (10) for a vehicle safety system comprising at least two leg elements (11, 12) at least in portions arranged in V-shape relative to each other between which at least one cross brace (13, 14, 15) connecting the leg elements (11, 12) is arranged, wherein the leg elements and/or the cross brace (13, 14, 15) are/is inflatable. The invention further relates to an airbag module and an occupant safety system comprising such restraint element as well as to the use of the fin ray effect in an adaptive restraint element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Thomas Kapfelsperger
  • Patent number: 9789845
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combustion chamber (10) comprising an opening device for a compressed gas tank (21) of a hybrid inflator (20), wherein the combustion chamber (30) comprises a sleeve-type combustion chamber sidewall (34) confining a combustion chamber interior (31) and a combustion chamber bottom (10), wherein the opening device is arranged on a surface (11) of the combustion chamber bottom (10) facing away from the combustion chamber interior (31) and faces away from the combustion chamber interior (31). In accordance with the invention, the combustion chamber bottom (10) is tightly connected to the combustion chamber sidewall (34) so that in the case of operation the combustion chamber bottom (10) is bendable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systembs GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Ebner, Thomas Kapfelsperger
  • Publication number: 20170282838
    Abstract: An adaptive deployable restraint element (10) for a vehicle safety system comprising at least two leg elements (11, 12) at least in portions arranged in V-shape relative to each other between which at least one cross brace (13, 14, 15) connecting the leg elements (11, 12) is arranged, wherein the leg elements and/or the cross brace (13, 14, 15) are/is inflatable. The invention further relates to an airbag module and an occupant safety system comprising such restraint element as well as to the use of the fin ray effect in an adaptive restraint element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Thomas Kapfelsperger
  • Patent number: 9463766
    Abstract: The invention relates to a burst device (10), especially for a hybrid inflator (40) including a burst member (20) delimiting an igniter compartment (25) at least in portions on its inside (21), wherein the burst member (20) in the idle mode can be pressurized with compressed gas on its outside (22) and, in the case of operation, the burst member (20) can be destroyed by an igniter compartment side bursting pressure, in accordance with the invention, the burst device (10) includes a support sleeve (30) arranged in the igniter compartment (25) and including an opening (32), the support sleeve (30) including a collar (34) delimiting the opening (33), wherein the burst member (20) rests on the collar (34) of the support sleeve (30) at least in portions upon pressurization from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kapfelsperger, Detlef Last, Lorenz Seidl
  • Publication number: 20160159314
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combustion chamber (10) comprising an opening device for a compressed gas tank (21) of a hybrid inflator (20), wherein the combustion chamber (30) comprises a sleeve-type combustion chamber sidewall (34) confining a combustion chamber interior (31) and a combustion chamber bottom (10)s wherein the opening device is arranged on a surface (11) of the combustion chamber bottom (10) facing away from the combustion chamber interior (31) and faces away from the combustion chamber interior (31). In accordance with the invention, the combustion chamber bottom (10) is tightly connected to the combustion chamber sidewall (34) so that in the case of operation the combustion chamber bottom (10) is bendable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Johannes Ebner, Thomas Kapfelsperger
  • Publication number: 20160016532
    Abstract: The invention relates to a burst device (10), especially for a hybrid inflator (40) including a burst member (20) delimiting an igniter compartment (25) at least in portions on its inside (21), wherein the burst member (20) in the idle mode can be pressurized with compressed gas on its outside (22) and, in the case of operation, the burst member (20) can be destroyed by an igniter compartment side bursting pressure, in accordance with the invention, the burst device (10) includes a support sleeve (30) arranged in the igniter compartment (25) and including an opening (32), the support sleeve (30) including a collar (34) delimiting the opening (33), wherein the burst member (20) rests on the collar (34) of the support sleeve (30) at least in portions upon pressurization from outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Kapfelsperger, Detlef Last, Lorenz Seidl
  • Patent number: 8979118
    Abstract: A subassembly (10) includes an inflator (12) for a vehicle safety system having a cylindrical outer wall (14), at least one bolt (16) fastened to the outer wall (14) in a substance-to-substance or form-fit manner, for mounting the inflator (12) on a component and a saddle element (18) attached to the bolt. The saddle element (18) includes a supporting portion (24) that bears on the outer wall (14) of the inflator (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Bibo, Michael Beyer, Karl Englbrecht, Anton Greissl, Christian Grundl, Thomas Kapfelsperger
  • Publication number: 20140103623
    Abstract: A subassembly (10) includes an inflator (12) for a vehicle safety system having a cylindrical outer wall (14), at least one bolt (16) fastened to the outer wall (14) in a substance-to-substance or form-fit manner, for mounting the inflator (12) on a component and a saddle element (18) attached to the bolt. The saddle element (18) includes a supporting portion (24) that bears on the outer wall (14) of the inflator (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Bibo, Michael Beyer, Karl Englbrecht, Anton Greissl, Christian Grundl, Thomas Kapfelsperger
  • Patent number: 8651520
    Abstract: An inflator (10), especially for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising a combustion chamber (24) in which solid propellant (28) adapted to be burnt off while forming a gas is accommodated, a storage chamber (26) containing a pressure gas (30), an igniter (14) and a component (20) arranged between the combustion chamber (24) and the storage chamber (26). There is at least one flow communication between the storage chamber (26) and the combustion chamber (24). The component (20) includes an additional weakened zone (22) adapted to be destroyed upon activation of the inflator (10) so as to permit flow of gas from the combustion chamber (24) into the storage chamber (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Thomas Kapfelsperger, Michael Lemm
  • Patent number: 8353247
    Abstract: An inflator has an elongate outer housing (110) which has at least one discharge opening (126) and which contains a compressed gas container (112) and an igniting unit (116) provided at a first axial end (114) of the compressed gas container (112). The igniting of said igniting unit generates a shock wave which, in a shock wave direction (S), enters the compressed gas container (112) at the first axial end thereof and which passes at least through some sections of the compressed gas container (112). The discharge opening (126) is arranged away from the first axial end of the compressed gas container (112) and is closed by a bursting membrane (128) which can be destroyed by the shock wave, wherein the bursting membrane (128) is not oriented perpendicularly to the shock wave direction (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Thomas Kapfelsperger
  • Publication number: 20120187667
    Abstract: An inflator (10), especially for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising a combustion chamber (24) in which solid propellant (28) adapted to be burnt off while forming a gas is accommodated, a storage chamber (26) containing a pressure gas (30), an igniter (14) and a component (20) arranged between the combustion chamber (24) and the storage chamber (26). There is at least one flow communication between the storage chamber (26) and the combustion chamber (24). The component (20) includes an additional weakened zone (22) adapted to be destroyed upon activation of the inflator (10) so as to permit flow of gas from the combustion chamber (24) into the storage chamber (26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Thomas Kapfelsperger, Michael Lemm
  • Publication number: 20100269726
    Abstract: An inflator has an elongate outer housing (110) which has at least one discharge opening (126) and which contains a compressed gas container (112) and an igniting unit (116) provided at a first axial end (114) of the compressed gas container (112). The igniting of said igniting unit generates a shock wave which, in a shock wave direction (S), enters the compressed gas container (112) at the first axial end thereof and which passes at least through some sections of the compressed gas container (112). The discharge opening (126) is arranged away from the first axial end of the compressed gas container (112) and is closed by a bursting membrane (128) which can be destroyed by the shock wave, wherein the bursting membrane (128) is not oriented perpendicularly to the shock wave direction (S).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Thomas kapfelsperger
  • Patent number: 7759597
    Abstract: For manufacturing a gas generator (1), a tubular body (10) having an opening (14) in a circumferential wall (12) and a housing part (16) having an attachment end (26) are provided. The geometry of a proximate rim (20) of the opening (14) and that of the attachment end (26) are coordinated such that a first contact region encircling the opening (14) and a second contact region on the attachment end (26), which is circumferentially closed, are formed. The housing part (16) is placed onto the tubular body (10) such that the first contact region is in contact with the second contact region. Then the body (10) and the housing part (16) are joined to each other by capacitor discharge welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Bibo, Georg Pfister, Karsten Schwuchow, Thomas Kapfelsperger, Matthias Hennig
  • Patent number: 7363863
    Abstract: A gas generator has a combustion chamber containing a pyrotechnic propellant charge and a biasing unit biasing the propellant charge. A holding device is provided, which holds the biasing unit in a predetermined, fixed, compressed position and which is designed to be releasable, so as to selectively release the biasing unit, so that it arrives at a release position in which it exerts a biasing force on the propellant charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Henri Engler, Karl Englbrecht, Andreas Zauhar, Thomas Kapfelsperger, Andreas Schachtner
  • Patent number: 7360787
    Abstract: A gas generator comprises an oblong outer housing and an elongated combustion chamber insert with a tubular wall arranged in the outer housing. The combustion chamber insert contains a solid propellant, has a first and a second axial end and is held in the outer housing. The tubular wall of the combustion chamber insert is fixed at both axial ends by a form fit in radial and axial direction to the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Englbrecht, Thomas Kapfelsperger, Karsten Schwuchow, Andreas Zauhar
  • Patent number: 7152321
    Abstract: A gas generator housing part is produced of a thin-walled tube having a wall thickness which amounts to a maximum of 10% of a tube external diameter and a minimum tensile strength which amounts to at least approximately 800 N/mm2, and a connecting piece having an external diameter which amounts to between 15% and 40% of the tube external diameter. After aligning the connecting piece radially to the tube such that an end face of the connecting piece faces an outer face of the tube, the tube and the connecting piece are joined by friction welding. A maximum welding time amounts to less than 1 second, preferably less than 0.3 second and a friction depth amounts to less than 80% of the wall thickness of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Karsten Schwuchow, Achim Hofmann, Thomas Kapfelsperger