Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator for a restraining apparatus of a vehicle, including a combustion chamber, a tabular cushion member being disposed on a bottom portion of the combustion chamber, the solid gas generating agent as a gas generating source, being charged in the combustion chamber inside the gas generator together with the cushion member, the combustion chamber being substantially in a cup shape in which an inner diameter (D1) of an opening is smaller than an inner diameter (D2) of the bottom portion, the cushion member including a circular portion serving as a base part and a plurality of protrusions protruding from a peripheral edge of the circular portion, an outer diameter (d1) of the circular portion and the inner diameter (D1) of the opening satisfying a relationship of d1<D1, and an outer diameter (d2) including the protrusions satisfying relationships of d2>D1 and d2?D2.

Abstract: A gas generator includes, a housing comprising circumferential wall plates of a diffuser shell and a closure shell, an ignition device chamber, a combustion chamber surrounding the ignition device chamber and containing a gas generating agent, an annular or flat-plate filter disposed facing the top plate and spaced from the circumferential wall plate, a first support including a disk-shaped portion abutting against and supporting an upper surface of the filter, including communication holes only at a section in contact with the filter, a second support including an annular flat portion abutting against and supporting a lower surface of the filter and cylindrical wall portion fixed to the housing. A gap is formed between the top plate of the housing and the circumferential wall plate and the first support member, when a pressure inside the combustion chamber increases due to combustion and the top plate is deformed.

Abstract: A gas generator includes a diffuser shell and a closure shell, a housing formed by joining the diffuser shell and the closure shell, inside the housing, an ignition device chamber defined by a cup-shaped container, a combustion chamber enclosing the ignition device chamber, an annular or flat plate-shaped filter facing the top plate, a retainer supporting the filter, the retainer including a bottom surface and a cylindrical wall surface extending from an outer circumferential edge of the bottom surface, the cylindrical wall surface having a gas passage, the retainer being fixed by the cylindrical wall against a circumferential wall plate. During actuation, when the housing is deformed the retainer and the filter move to abut the top plate of the diffuser shell, combustion gas passes through the filter and the gas passage to be discharged from the gas discharge port.

Abstract: A filter for use in a gas generator of a safety arrangement in vehicles, has several layers of a woven metal fabric consisting of metal wires which are woven together. The woven metal fabric is preferably calendered, wound to form a roll, and pressed to form said filter.

Abstract: An active bolster has an expandable inner wall including a bay having first and second opposing ends and a central bowl. An expandable outer wall overlies the inner wall to provide a main cavity therebetween. An inflator is mounted within the bay having an outlet nozzle with a plurality of outlet passages for radially discharging an inflation gas against the bay and the outer wall in response to inflate the main cavity during a crash. The inner wall of the central bowl includes a plurality of first dispersion ribs substantially parallel with one another and following arcuate paths to provide at least one gas channel with opposite ends emptying from the central bowl into the main cavity. The outer wall includes a plurality of second dispersion ribs oriented to channel inflation gas from the central bowl toward the outer peripheral edges.

Abstract: A gas generator includes a housing body for housing a gas generating charge, a squib for igniting the gas generating charge and a holder section that holds the squib. The holder section includes a holder body made of metal and a molded section that is molded from synthetic resin and located between the holder body and the squib. The squib and the holder body are integrally molded with the molded section at molding of the molded section. The holder section includes a support section that protrudes inwardly to support an igniter of the squib. The support section is covered by the molded section all over the outer surface and has such a sectional contour as to taper toward the leading end as taken along an axial direction of the housing body.

Abstract: A gas generator includes an initiator having a case, two electrodes and a cap having a wall delimiting an aperture for insertion of the case, a part delimiting an aperture for access to the electrodes and a retaining part made of plastic material overmolded into the aperture between the initiator, the cap and the part. The wall includes, near the aperture and the protrusion retaining the cap, a second protrusion for supporting the mold in a support direction having a component extending from the bottom toward the aperture, the second protrusion having an outer edge at least partially not covered by the part for use as a support surface in said support direction for a mold to be used for overmolding.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag arrangement comprises a deployable airbag having a packed state and a deployed state, and a gas generator adapted to supply gas to deploy the airbag from the packed state to the deployed state. At least during initial deployment of the airbag, the gas generator may emit a gas flow substantially in a pre-selected direction. When the airbag is in the packed state, a portion of the airbag forms a starting pocket comprising two panels with an intermediate apex which extend substantially parallel to the pre-selected direction, the starting pocket positioned with the intermediate apex aligned with the pre-selected direction, such that the starting pocket, during the initial deployment of the airbag, initially receives the gas flow, thereby deploying the starting pocket in the pre-selected direction. Such an airbag arrangement may be included in a vehicle seat. A corresponding method of packing an airbag may achieve the airbag arrangement.

Abstract: An airbag inflator has a primary igniter and a secondary igniter. The primary igniter ignites an ignition enhancer material, which in turn ignites a primary supply of a gas generant material in a first chamber. A secondary supply of the gas generant material is located in a second chamber that is closed and is not in contact with any ignition enhancer material. Activation of the secondary igniter does not ignite the secondary supply of gas generant material, but does cause the second chamber to be opened. Combustion products from the primary supply of gas generant material enter the chamber and ignite the secondary supply of the gas generant material.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a fuel system, a controller, and a diagnostic module with an orifice, a pressure sensor, and a pump, the module connecting the fuel system to atmosphere. The controller measures a reference pressure across the orifice to provide a threshold, isolates the fuel system, and provides a code in response to comparing a series or measured pressures to the threshold. A method for performing an evaporative leak diagnostic is provided. A valve in a diagnostic module is commanded to a vent position. A pump is operated to measure a reference pressure across an orifice to provide a threshold. A valve is commanded to a test position. The pump is operated to place the fuel system in a low pressure state, and a series of pressures in the fuel system is measured. A diagnostic code is provided after comparing the series of pressures to the threshold.

Abstract: An airbag assembly includes an airbag cushion, an inflator to provide inflation gas to inflate the airbag cushion, a diffuser provided between the inflator and the airbag cushion and a deflector provided between the inflator and the diffuser. The diffuser forces the inflation gas to change flow direction at least one time before the inflation gas exits into the airbag cushion. The deflector deflects particulates emitted from the inflator into a predetermined portion of the diffuser to inhibit particulates from entering into the airbag cushion. The predetermined portion of the diffuser may be an upper corner of the diffuser.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprising a panel (114) that at least partially defines an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. A vent (100) includes a sidewall that extends through the panel (114) and defines a passage (134) for venting inflation fluid from the inflatable volume (54). The vent (100) includes a first portion (102) extendable inside the inflatable volume (54) and an opposite second portion (104) extendable outside the inflatable volume. The vent (100) has an open condition in which the first portion (102) is maintained inside the inflatable volume (54) and thereby permits venting of inflation fluid through the passage (134), and a closed condition in which the first portion (102) is inverted and positioned in the second portion (104) thereby blocking inflation fluid from venting through the passage (134).

Abstract: A hybrid gas generator includes a high pressure gas cylinder and a gas release actuating device. The gas release actuating device includes a pyrotechnic gas cylinder, an igniting assembly, and a bursting disc. The pyrotechnic gas cylinder includes a guide ring securely disposed in the pyrotechnic gas cylinder to hermetically separate the space in the pyrotechnic gas cylinder into a gas releasing chamber and a firing chamber, a piercing plug fitted with the guide ring, where the gas releasing chamber is formed with at least a vent for releasing the gas stored in the high pressure gas cylinder, and the firing chamber may be provided with a gas producing medium to produce gas for driving the piercing plug when the igniting assembly is ignited.

Abstract: A primary gas flow aperture communicates between upstream and the downstream sides of a bulkhead securable across an inflator discharge passageway, accommodating some inflation gas flow through the passageway. A deformable flow control panel peripherally secured on the downstream side of the bulkhead has a closure portion obscuring some inflation gas flow past the bulkhead. Pressure of the inflation gas on the closure portion deforms the control panel away from the bulkhead. A primary gas flow window through the flow control panel overlies all or some of the primary gas flow aperture. When the primary gas flow window is larger than or equal to the primary gas flow aperture, supplemental gas flow apertures are formed through the bulkhead separated from the primary gas flow aperture. Otherwise, supplemental gas flow windows are formed through the flow control panel separated from the primary gas flow window.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator subassembly (10) for a vehicle safety system comprising a pyrotechnic actuator unit (12) including an igniting portion (14) as well as a receiving element (16) forming a guide for the movable igniting portion (14) after activating the actuator unit (12). Further the invention relates to an airbag module of a vehicle safety system comprising said actuator subassembly (10) and a method of mounting a releasable tether (30) on an airbag module by means of said actuator assembly (10).

Abstract: An occupant protection apparatus can reduce the impact on an occupant as much as possible to securely protect the occupant even when a first-stage ignition means is in failed state. In igniting a first squib 3a for driver seat, if determined that the first squib 3a for driver seat has been diagnosed to be in failed state (S204), a second squib 3b for driver seat in place of the first squib 3a for driver seat is ignited at the time when the first squib 3a for driver seat is normally scheduled to be ignited (S400), then the first squib 3a for driver seat is ignited at the time when the second squib 3b for driver seat is normally scheduled to be ignited (S600), which enables explosion of a driver airbag apparatus 3 without a delay as much as possible to improve the assurance and reliability of occupant protection.

Abstract: A gas generating system usable in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system is provided. The system includes an outer housing having an outer diameter varying within a range of approximately 16 millimeters to approximately 20 millimeters. A vehicle occupant protection system and an airbag module including the gas generating system are also provided.

Abstract: An inflator for producing inflation gas from a propellant has a housing for storing the propellant, a diffuser for attachment to the inflator housing and a sealing member. The diffuser has one or more open passages for passing inflation gas upon ignition of the propellant and a plurality of sealed passages oriented opposite to the one or more open passages. The sealing member covers the sealed passages. The sealing member is consumed when exposed to an open flame thereby opening the sealed passages to vent inflation gases opposite the opposed one or more open passages to create a thrust neutral exhaust upon an inadvertent ignition of the propellant due to exposure to fire.

Abstract: An airbag assembly has an airbag, a gas emitting inflator, and an airbag thickness limiting structure. The airbag thickness limiting structure limits a first body region engaging portion to having a lateral thickness within a first lateral thickness range when the gas emitting inflator delivers a first amount of inflation gas into the interior space of the airbag and allows the first body region engaging portion of the airbag to have a lateral thickness within a second lateral thickness range when the gas emitting inflator delivers a second amount of inflation gas greater than the first amount into the interior space of the airbag. A second body region engaging portion has a substantially fixed maximum attainable lateral thickness. Maximum attainable lateral thickness of the first body region engaging portion of the airbag can be dependent upon whether or not inflation of the airbag is implemented using pre-crash sensing technology.

Abstract: A power source for applying a force to an object includes thermite in a quantity sufficient to generate a thermite reaction, and a gas producing substance disposed in association with the thermite. The gas producing substance produces a gas when the thermite reaction. The thermite reaction, the gas, or combinations thereof provide a force to the object.

Abstract: A gas generator includes, a tubular housing including, on a circumferential surface thereof, first and second gas discharge port groups, the second gas discharge port group being separated axially from the first gas discharge port group, both being closed by a seal member, a first closing member having an ignition device and a second closing member, closing one end and the other end of the tubular housing, respectively, opening pressures P1 and P2 for opening the first and second gas discharge port groups, satisfying a relationship P1<P2, the first gas discharge port group being positioned at a center portion in the axial direction of the tubular housing or in the vicinity thereof, and the second gas discharge port group being positioned at a center portion between the first gas discharge port group and the second closing member or in the vicinity thereof, respectively.

Abstract: The present application provides a gas generator including: a cylindrical housing with a gas discharge port, one end of the tubular housing being closed by a closing member including a disk-shaped main body portion, an annular projection portion and the peripheral surface of the annular projection portion, a transfer charge chamber housing defining a transfer charge chamber charged with a transfer charge and being attached to the closing member, the transfer charge chamber housing having a cup-like shape including a flame-transferring hole at a bottom surface, a flange portion and a annular wall surface extending in the axial direction of the housing from the flange portion, being mounted such that the annular wall surface thereof is fitted into an annular groove, and being fixed by the flange portion pressed in the axial direction by a supporting member and a sealing member disposed in a remaining space of the annular groove and sealing between the tubular housing and the closing member.

Abstract: A method of operating a restraint system comprises deploying an airbag in response to a pre-crash sensing system prior to collision in a first stage and controlling an inflation of the airbag in a second stage in response to acceleration signals of the vehicle.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a pyrotechnic method for generating gas at two successive flow rates—a first flow rate then a second flow rate, said first flow rate being higher than said second flow rate—which comprises: the combustion of a first pyrotechnic charge (10) in a first combustion chamber (1) discharging into a second combustion chamber (2) via at least one nozzle (3); and the combustion of a second pyrotechnic charge (20) in said second combustion chamber (2) discharging to the outside via at least one vent (21). Characteristically, said first chamber (1) operates at high pressure and said second chamber (2) operates at low pressure. Another subject of the invention is a pyrotechnic gas generator suitable for the implementation of said method. The invention is most particularly applicable in the context of side protection airbags (“curtain airbags”), used in automobile safety.

Abstract: A closure structure for the relief aperture of an airbag cushion inflator includes a closure core having outer and inner surfaces that is disposable into the relief aperture from the exterior of the inflator to fill the relief aperture. A sealing flange continuously secured to the periphery of the outer surface of the closure core abuts the outer surface of the inflator. A temperature-sensitive venting window formed in the closure core precludes the passage of pressurized inflation gas during a predetermined first ambient temperature condition and opens to emit pressurized inflation gas during a second hotter ambient temperature condition. The venting window includes a venting passageway extending between the inner and the outer surfaces the closure core sealingly traversed by a relatively thin venting membrane made of a temperature-sensitive material exhibiting less structural robustness at the second ambient temperature condition than at the first ambient temperature condition.

Abstract: Gas supplied from gas discharge ports is guided without providing a metal guide tube on the inflator of an airbag device, and the airbag is protected from the gas. An inner tube (50) is connected to a gas inlet (13) formed in an airbag (10), and an inflator (40) around which a fabric member (60) is wound is inserted into and attached to a gas passage (54) formed in the inner tube (50). The fabric member (60) is wound around the inflator (40) several times into a tubular shape such that it covers a plurality of gas discharge ports (42) provided in the inflator (40) and such that one end thereof opens to the inside of the airbag (10), and the fabric member (60) is inserted into the inner tube (50). When the inflator (40) is activated, gas from the gas discharge ports (42) is guided to the inside of the inner tube (50) by the fabric member (60) and is guided and supplied to air chambers (31) and (32) through the gas passage (54), thereby inflating and deploying the airbag (10).

Abstract: Externally deployed airbag system for a vehicle including one or more inflatable airbags deployable outside of the vehicle, an anticipatory sensor system for assessing the probable severity of an impact involving the vehicle based on data obtained prior to the impact and initiating inflation of the airbag(s) in the event an impact above a threshold severity is assessed, and an inflator coupled to the anticipatory sensor system and the airbag for inflating the airbag when initiated by the anticipatory sensor system. The airbag may be housed in a module mounted along a side of the vehicle, in a side door of the vehicle (both for side impact protection), at a front of the vehicle (for frontal impact protection) or at a rear of the vehicle (for rear impact protection). Also, the externally deployed airbag can be deployed to cushion a pedestrian's impact against the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) includes a primary housing (20) constructed from sheet metal by stamping, a primary inflation fluid source (100), a secondary housing (70) constructed from sheet metal by stamping, and a secondary inflation fluid source (200). The primary inflation fluid source (100) is located in the primary housing (20) and is actuatable to effect a primary flow of inflation fluid out of the primary housing to inflate the inflatable device (14). The secondary housing (70) is disposed within the primary housing (20). The secondary inflation fluid source (200) is located in the secondary housing (70) and is actuatable to affect a secondary flow of inflation fluid to supplement the primary flow of inflation fluid. The secondary housing (70) has a first portion (77) that moves at least partially out of engagement with a second portion (74) of the secondary housing (70) when the secondary inflation fluid source is actuated.

Abstract: A gas generator includes, a housing having a circumferential wall portion defining a gas discharge port, a first end, and a second end, the first and second ends being closed, a cup-shaped inner tube member disposed in the housing, an inside thereof accommodating an ignition device, an outside thereof being a combustion chamber charged with a gas generating agent, a bottom surface of the inner tube member being located in a bottom plate of the first end of the housing, an opening end portion of the inner tube member being provided with a ventilating portion for allowing a combustion product to pass therethrough, an igniter attached to an igniter attaching portion formed at the second end of the housing, and a passage for the combustion product formed between an inner wall surface of the inner tube member and the igniter attaching portion, and reaching the ventilating portion.

Abstract: An airbag assembly has an airbag, a gas emitting inflator, and an airbag thickness limiting structure. The airbag thickness limiting structure limits a first body region engaging portion to having a lateral thickness within a first lateral thickness range when the gas emitting inflator delivers a first amount of inflation gas into the interior space of the airbag and allows the first body region engaging portion of the airbag to have a lateral thickness within a second lateral thickness range when the gas emitting inflator delivers a second amount of inflation gas greater than the first amount into the interior space of the airbag. A second body region engaging portion has a substantially fixed maximum attainable lateral thickness. Maximum attainable lateral thickness of the first body region engaging portion of the airbag can be dependent upon whether or not inflation of the airbag is implemented using pre-crash sensing technology.

Abstract: A gas generator includes: a housing having closure and diffuser shells; an inner tube member accommodating an igniter, an opening end of the inner tube member being located opposing a bottom plate of the closure shell and defining a ventilating portion formed at the opening end, the inner tube member being fixed to an igniter attaching portion, and having a cylindrical portion projecting inwardly in the closure shell, and a passage being formed between the inner tube member and the igniter attaching portion to reach the ventilating portion; an outer circumference cylindrical member provided in the combustion chamber and one end opening thereof being located at the bottom plate; and an annular porous member defining a space above the combustion chamber, the space being communicated to a gas discharge path defined between the outer circumference cylindrical member and a side surface of the diffuser shell through a communicating portion.

Abstract: A gas generator, includes: a housing having closure shell, a diffuser shell including a gas discharge ports, and a flange portion; an inner tube member defining a combustion chamber in an outside thereof for accommodating a gas generating agent, the igniter being attached to the closure shell such that the igniter projects inside from a hole formed in the bottom plate of the closure shell, the annular porous member having a plurality of holes which are smaller than the size of the gas generator, defining a space above the combustion chamber, a total opening area (A1) of the gas discharge ports being smaller than a total opening area (A2) of a gas pathway extending from the combustion chamber to the gas discharge ports (A1<A2), and the space and the gas discharge path being communicated with each other by a communicating portion.

Abstract: A system for controlling gas pressure in a dual-chamber airbag for vehicles, may include a cushion unit having an upper chamber and a lower chamber divided by a diaphragm therein, an inflator supplying gas to the upper chamber, and a unidirectional vent control member provided in the diaphragm and supplying the gas inside the upper chamber into the lower chamber in one direction.

Abstract: A restraint system for a motor vehicle includes a support structure moveable from a stowage position into a restraint position, a covering by means of which a restraint volume formed by the support structure in its restraint position is enclosed, and at least one ventilation opening via which a medium, in particular air, can flow into the covering during the transfer into the restraint position. The at least one ventilation opening is provided within a housing that at least partially accommodates the support structure and the covering in the stowage position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filter for a gas generator, by which a filter having a good shape retaining property can be obtained, is provided. A method of manufacturing a filter for a gas generator in which a tubular material is formed by knitting copper-plated iron wires, molten plated copper is adhered to an intersecting portion of the iron wire to fix the intersecting portion, wherein the method comprises a molding step for producing a tubular material by knitting the copper-plated iron wires, and a heat processing step in which the above tubular material is kept at a temperature not less than a melting point of copper but less than the temperature of sintering of the iron, and is then cooled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic gas generator (10) for a car airbag (12), the generator including a pyrotechnic charge and a pyrotechnic initiator (28) situated in a combustion chamber (14) and suitable for being actuated by a first detection system (30) for detecting an imminent collision state and/or by a second detection system (32) for detecting an actual collision state. The pyrotechnic gas generator of the invention further includes a gas flow passage (16, 18) between said combustion chamber (14) and said airbag (12), and at least one valve (34) suitable for being moved from a first position in which it defines a first flow section to a second position in which it defines a second flow section greater than said first flow section, or vice versa. In particular, the valve (34) is arranged in such a manner as to define a greater flow section when the pyrotechnic initiator (28) is actuated by the first detection system (30).

Abstract: A disc inflator having gas cooling and mist removal functions, and reduced in weight and in size in a radial direction. An inflator case (40) has an upper case (36) at an occupant side and a lower case (38) at a side opposite an occupant. A tubular holding member (60) having a separation wall (64) at a base portion thereof is provided in the inflator case. A gas flow path (74) is formed at a periphery of the holding member (60), and communication holes (80) communicating with the gas flow path (74) are formed in the separation wall (64). At a peripheral wall portion (36B) of the upper case (36) is formed a gas ejection hole (76) at a position offset towards an occupant side only by a distance ? from a central position P of a combustion chamber (68). Accordingly, a length (L1) of a flow path from the starting end of the flow path to the gas ejection hole (76) increases, enabling effective heat exchange of a high temperature gas and removal of mist (82). Thereby, a conventionally used filter may be disposed of.

Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle includes a gas generator for generating a gas and a multi-chamber airbag operatively connected to the gas generator for receiving the gas. The airbag defines a first inflation chamber, at least one second inflation chamber, at least one third inflation chamber and a fourth inflation chamber. The airbag includes internal vents configured to allow selective communication between the first chamber and each of the at least one second chamber and the at least one third chamber and selective communication between the at least one second chamber and the fourth chamber. The internal vents are configured to maintain a higher pressure in selective chambers by restricting ability of the gas to escape the selective chamber. The order of internal venting between the respective inflation chambers controls the pressure and timing of inflation of the multi-chamber airbag.

Abstract: A gas generating system is provided including a first housing formed from a polymeric material, and a pyrotechnic gas generant material contained in the first housing. The first housing forms a combustion chamber for the gas generant. An airbag system and a vehicle occupant protection system, each incorporating a gas generating system as described herein, are also disclosed.

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).

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag, the airbag comprising a tubular area and a filling piece for filling the airbag with gas of a gas generator, wherein the filling piece is formed by putting-over the tubular area of the airbag. In one embodiment, the filling piece is formed by putting-over the tubular area of the airbag in the longitudinal direction, wherein an end of the put-over tubular area faces the airbag interior and said end of the put-over tubular area comprises one or several openings which are arranged to distribute gas inflowing from a gas generator in a targeted manner into the airbag.

Abstract: An inflatable shoulder belt webbing system and a method for inflating the inflatable shoulder belt webbing system having a buckle, a web loop having a tongue that is selectively engaged by the buckle when the tongue is secured to the buckle and is disengaged when the tongue is removed from the buckle, a lap belt member retained by the web loop, a shoulder belt member having an inflatable webbing portion being contained within the shoulder belt member, the shoulder belt member being retained by the web loop, a tubular member rigidly fixed externally to an outer edge of the web loop and having one end in sealed communication with the inflatable webbing portion, a source of inflation gas, and a manifold rigidly fixed externally to the buckle and having an outlet providing a conduit between the source of inflation gas and the tubular member when the tongue is secured to the buckle.

Abstract: An inflator (1) comprised of an inner case (19) and an outer case (28). The inflator (1) includes a combustion chamber located inside the inner case (19), a plurality of gas discharge ports (16) formed on the outer case (28), a gas outlet port (11) formed on an outer surface of the inner case (19) and a gas guide section that guides the inflation gas exited the gas outlet port (11) toward the gas discharge ports (16). The gas guide section includes between the outer case (28) and inner case (19) a guide wall (13a) provided with a guide plane that contacts with and redirects the inflation gas. The guide plane is formed into an arc face so as to swivel the inflation gas exited the gas outlet port (11) in a swirl or helical fashion, guide the inflation gas toward the gas discharge ports (16) and capture residuals.

Abstract: The present invention can include an automobile having a multi-stage inflation system. The multi-stage inflation system can include an engine control unit, a multi-stage inflation unit, a curtain airbag, a curtain airbag pressure indicator, and/or a rollover side impact detection unit. The rollover side impact detection unit can detect when a side impact or a rollover occurs to the automobile. When the rollover or the side impact is detected, the engine control unit can instruct the multi-stage inflation unit to deploy and inflate the curtain airbag in multiple stages. The multi-stage inflation unit can include a pyrotechnic inflation unit with multiple compartments. At each of the stages, a different one of the multiple compartments can be activated to substantially inflate the curtain airbag. The multi-stage inflation unit can also optionally include a cold gas inflation unit to supplement the pyrotechnic inflation unit.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes a gas generator that generates gas, and an airbag inflated and deployed by the gas supplied from the gas generator. The airbag restrains an occupant in a first state in which the occupant's chin is positioned on the airbag apparatus or the occupant in a second state in which the occupant's chin is positioned on a steering wheel. The airbag includes one main exhaust port, a vent cover provided to cover the one main exhaust port, and at least one sub exhaust port without a vent cover. The sub exhaust port exhausts the gas without using the main exhaust port in a state in which the vent cover blocks the main exhaust port due to a folded state of the airbag in an initial stage of an inflating and deploying operation performed to restrain the occupant in the first state or in the second state.

Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle is provided. The airbag module comprising a gasbag inflatable for the protection of a person, a band interacting with the gasbag, a carrier of the airbag module, a holding element via which the band is attached to the carrier and a motion generating device. The holding element is integrally formed with the carrier such that it can be separated from the carrier for releasing the band upon impact of a predeterminable force on the holding element. The motion generating device is configured and provided for blasting off the complete holding element from the carrier for releasing the band.

Abstract: A gas generating system including a housing and a divider dividing an interior of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber. First and second tubes extend into the second chamber and end at the divider. At least one opening is formed in the divider to enable fluid communication of the first chamber with an interior of only the first tube after activation of the gas generating system.

Abstract: An airbag arrangement includes an airbag with at least one inflatable chamber and a first opening; and a cover that at least partially covers the first opening of the airbag and that comprises a second opening. The first and second openings are designed such that the chamber of the airbag is accessible through the first and second openings. The first opening is designed in a first layer of an airbag material and the second opening is designed in a second layer of an airbag material. At least one part projects into the airbag through the first and the second opening, whereby the first and the second layer are restrained by the part projecting into the airbag in the area of the openings such that a section of the rim of the first and a section of the rim of the second opening rest closely against the part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator for an airbag module having a gas generator housing, in which a first chamber for receiving a propellant for igniting a main gas set in a second chamber, and an ignition device for the ignition of the propellant are provided. In order to simplify the production of the gas generator, the invention provides that the first chamber for receiving the propellant is limited by a pipe, on the first end of which the ignition device is disposed, and the second end of which reaches the gas generator housing at least approximately. The first and the second chamber are separated from each other such that no parts of the propellant may reach the second chamber via the second end of the pipe before the ignition of the propellant.

Abstract: An air bag system for a vehicle including an air bag in a folded state and installed in a vehicle. The air bag is inflated and expanded by gas from an inflator, which introduces gas into the air bag. A vent hole is formed in at least one base fabric piece of the air bag so as to establish a communication path between an inside and an outside of the air bag through which gas may be discharged from the inside toward the outside of the air bag. A blocking member is supported on the base fabric piece to block up the vent hole. A guide portion is provided to slidably support the blocking member and to restrict the position of the blocking member relative to the vent hole. A sliding resistance increasing portion is provided on at least either one of the guide portion and the blocking member, so as to increase a sliding resistance between the guide portion and the blocking member when the blocking member slides.