Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for vehicles, particularly for installation in a seat of a vehicle. The airbag module has a support with components for fastening the total airbag system to the vehicle and for accommodating the gas generator as well.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag for an airbag module having a first chamber, which can be connected to a gas feeding device, at least one second chamber and a valve device, which makes it possible for gas to flow over from the first chamber into the second chamber only when a predetermined pressure is reached in the first chamber on account of impact of a vehicle occupant with the airbag.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions are formed from a fuel, one or more oxidizers and mica. The gas generant composition of this invention yields solid combustion products and inflating gases having a reduced content of undesirable gases such as NO.sub.x and CO.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for attaching a steering wheel to a steering column. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment apparatus comprises a steering wheel armature having a collar for receiving a steering column. Preferably, the steering column includes a tapered portion adjacent a slotted portion, which is located between a flange and the tapered portion. The steering wheel armature is placed on the steering column with the flange and slot portion extending through the collar and above the steering wheel armature. A wedge having a ramped portion that surrounds a slot, which has a width adapted to accommodate the slotted portion of the steering column, is driven in a direction which forces the ramped portion underneath the flange of the steering column. The driving of the wedge forces the steering wheel armature against the tapered portion of the steering column and forms a wedge lock between the steering wheel armature collar and the steering column tapered portion.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions contain a non-azide fuel, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) and silicon. These gas generant compositions yield inflation gases having a reduced content of undesirable gases such as NO.sub.x and CO. The gas generanting compositions preferably contain 5-aminotetrazole at a concentration of 15-30 wt. % as the fuel, an oxidizer system at a concentration of 35-80 wt. % which comprises phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, at least 0.5 wt. % silicon, about 1 wt. % iron oxide and at least one material selected from binders and processing aids. The gas generating compositions are useful for inflating vehicle occupant restraint devices and for pyrotechnically operated fire suppression devices. The high level of gases produced by the compositions of the invention allow for smaller inflators which reduce the costs of production and the saving of weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved non-azide gas generants and methods for their manufacture for use in an automobile gas bag system. This discovery overcomes the problems of moisture and thermal cycling in a non-azide gas generant pellet through the use of at least two fuels selected from guanidine nitrate, nitroguanidine, triaminoguanidine nitrate, diaminoguanidine nitrate and monoguanidine nitrate and an oxidizer system comprising mixtures of strontium nitrate, sodium nitrate and ammonium perchlorate.

Abstract: An occupant weight sensing system has a seat pan which is rigidly mounted to a seat frame which attaches to a vehicle body. A seat cushion on which the occupant sits is positioned over the seat pan. A rigid frame is positioned above the seat pan and receives and supports the weight of the occupant. The rigid frame is supported on four sensors which in turn are mounted on the seat pan. The sensors collectively measure the weight supported by the rigid frame and thus determine the weight of the seat occupant. The sensors used to measure the weight of the seat occupant can be of two basic types. The first type is a load cell which experiences very little displacement and directly measures the imposed load. The second type of sensor employs a spring, the spring constant of which controls the amount of displacement for a given load. A Magnetoresistive Effect (GMR) displacement sensor measures the amount the spring is compressed.

Abstract: A vehicle horn and control function switch that has compensation for wide temperature variations and preloads from surrounding material due to manufacturing processes and material aging. Due to the very thin physical thickness of the force sensor, the switch is useful when the sensors are mounted on the hub of a vehicle steering wheel adjacent to an airbag assembly. The switch comprises a force sensor and a temperature sensor mounted in the hub of a steering wheel. The force sensor is connected to the input of an operational amplifier that has an offsetting input network and an amplifying feedback network that are controlled from a programmable microcontroller. The output of the operational amplifier and the temperature sensor are connected to the programmable microcontroller.

Abstract: A release mechanism for releasing high pressure fluid from an associated pressure vessel has connecting means for connecting to the pressure vessel, a support sleeve which has an axial and a radial opening, a sealing disc, supporting means which may be a trap door, a rotatable column, or a support plug and a protractor or retractor for selectively removing the supporting means and thus opening the sealing means. The sealing means can also be opened spontaneously, operating as a relief valve.

Abstract: A controller with a plurality of tactile sensors and a method of fabricating the controller is disclosed. The controller may be used for one, two or three parameter control in applications requiring manual user control of parameters such as temperature, volume, speed, direction and cursor position on a computer screen. The controller comprises two or more tactile sensors and a computing means. The centers of the tactile sensors are positioned at angles about a common center point. The computing means determines a magnitude and a direction of a resultant force from all the tactile sensors, using the force applied to each tactile sensor and the angle at which the center of each tactile sensor is oriented about a common center point. The configuration enables sensing applied force in two or more directions at angles from a common center point. Another parameter may be controlled based on the total force applied to all of the tactile sensors of the controller.

Abstract: An airbag deployment control system for use in a vehicle to selectively control the deployment of airbag(s) in a driver side and/or passenger side airbag protection system comprising a switch or sensor assembly to detect the position of the driver seat and/or passenger seat within the front seat compartment of the vehicle and a control means to receive signals from the switch or sensor assembly and to activate, deactivate or modify the deployment of the airbag(s) depending upon the position of the driver seat and/or front passenger seat relative to the dashboard of the vehicle.

Abstract: A control device actuates at least one vehicular safety device such as a seat belt pretensioning mechanism, an airbag, an automatic roll-over bar, a door lock or a cellular phone comprising a sensor stage to sense a plurality of parameters including acceleration, pitch angle and roll angle of a vehicle. A corresponding plurality of digital signals representing each such parameter are generated. A control stage includes circuitry to receive the plurality of digital signals and to generate a control signal corresponding to each such parameter when the corresponding digital signal exceeds a predetermined value. A safety device actuator includes circuitry to receive the control signals and to generate a corresponding actuator signal to actuate the corresponding vehicular safety device.

Abstract: A restraint comprises an inflatable curtain and a deployment member. The deployment member can be an inflatable tube within a braided tube or an elastic member. The deployment member is attached to the inflatable curtain and on receipt of a signal the member deploys the curtain into an occupant protection position in the event of a crash. The restraint is particularly intended for location on one side of a vehicle to provide protection against side impacts.

Abstract: A release mechanism for releasing pressurized fluid from an associated pressure vessel has sealing means for use in sealing an opening in the associated pressure vessel, supporting means for supporting the sealing means, first opening means for selectively opening the sealing means by removing the supporting means and, damping control means for damping the supporting means and also regulating the release of the high pressure fluid. To release pressurized fluid from the pressure vessel, the supporting means is removed out of supporting relationship with a sealing means. Next the supporting means is moved along its axis without damping, then with damping and, finally, with relatively light damping.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical accelerometer is disclosed for use in a vehicle to selectively actuate a vehicular safety device such as, for example, an airbag when a deceleration force greater than a predetermined threshold level is sensed.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system having a plurality of safety device controllers and a method of controlling same are disclosed. The vehicle safety system provides for the protection of vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash. The system is capable of controlling safety devices such as airbag assemblies, seat belt tensioner assemblies, fuel cutoff switch assemblies, battery disconnect switch assemblies, assemblies for sending notification to emergency services, and assemblies for sending vehicle location data. The system accepts data from other vehicle systems such as speed data from the antilock brake system to distinguish between a low speed and a high speed crash, seat occupancy data to selectively activate airbags, and steering system and acceleration data to detect vehicle rollover conditions.

Abstract: An autoigniting composition comprising lead thiocyanate Pb(SCN).sub.2 as the fuel, a chlorate as the oxidizer and optionally, a binder and/or a flow agent/thickener are disclosed for use in a vehicle occupant restraint system. The autoignition composition undergoes rapid autoignition at temperatures from approximately 190.degree. to 220.degree. C. thereby allowing the use of aluminum for the gas generator housing. The autoignition compositions of the present invention are safely manufactured by wet blending and may be installed via automation to the interior of the inflator housing. When aluminum housings are used, a barrier material is used to prevent corrosion of the aluminum by the autoignition composition. Optionally the dried autoignition material is coated with a protective substance to prevent water absorption and mechanic abrasion.

Abstract: A safety device controller for controlling safety devices and a method of controlling activation of a safety device in a vehicle safety system are disclosed. The safety device controller is capable of activating various safety devices to protect the occupants of a vehicle in the event of a crash. It is capable of operating devices such as airbags, seatbelt tensioners, fuel cutoff switches, battery disconnect switches, emergency notification devices, and location notification devices. The safety device controller is capable of performing self tests and sending the results of these tests to a central electronic control unit over a communication bus. Upon receipt of a coded command from the central electronic control unit, the safety device controller activates a safety device by discharging stored energy into a squib or electromechanical device to activate the safety device. An optional safing sensor may be installed in the safety device controller to prevent inadvertent actuation of the safety device.

Abstract: A seat occupant sensing system has at least two sensors interposed between a rigid member and a seat pan member such that the weight supported by a portion of the seat cushion which the rigid member underlies is transferred from the rigid member to the seat pan via said sensors. The sensors sense the magnitude of the force transferred therethrough. A device, such as a microprocessor, processes a signal from the sensors to determine the weight that the portion of the seat cushion which the rigid member underlies is bearing. The signal processing device may control the activation and operation of a safety device such as an airbag or seat belt pretensioner as a function of the presence and weight of a seat occupant.

Abstract: A control device actuates at least one fuel flow control device in the event of a vehicle crash or roll over. The control device has a sensor stage to sense a plurality of parameters including acceleration, pitch angle and roll angle of a vehicle. A corresponding plurality of signals are generated representing each such parameter. The control device has a control stage including circuitry to receive the plurality of signals and to generate a control signal corresponding to each such parameter when the corresponding signal exceeds a predetermined value. A safety device actuator has circuitry to receive the control signals and to generate a corresponding actuator signal to actuate a fuel flow control device.