Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Sally J. Brown
  • Patent number: 8340857
    Abstract: Remote sensor units for a vehicle are described. A remote sensor unit may comprise an electronic assembly. The electronic assembly may comprise an electronic component. The electronic assembly may comprise one or more signal terminals coupled to the electronic component. The electronic assembly may comprise a protective enclosure arranged to encapsulate the electronic component. The protective enclosure is arranged to isolate the electronic component from thermal energy, pressure or residual material stress associated with one or more satellite housings. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Dario G. Brisighella, Jr., Stephen Bogdan, William M. Leach, Jeffrey T. Kida, Richard Rakes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7598904
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for determining a relative velocity between a host (100) and a target (102). The present invention relates in particular to a method of the type that can be used in motor vehicle radar systems and specifically in radar systems of the type that detect obstacles in a blind spot of a motor vehicle. In the method according to the invention the following steps are carried out: substantially simultaneously determining a value for a radial velocity and a bearing with regard to a predefined spatial direction for a large number of measurement points (106) on the target (102); calculating a large number of quotients from the radial velocity and the cosine of the associated bearing, a quotient being calculated for each of the measurement points (106); determining an estimated relative velocity between the host (100) and the target (102) by forming an average of the large number of quotients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk Klotzbuecher, Wolfgang Lauer
  • Patent number: 7497474
    Abstract: A seatbelt buckle system is disclosed that allows rotation of the seatbelt buckle in a transverse direction with respect to the vehicle body. The system includes a buckle fixed to a buckle attachment plate. The buckle attachment plate has a through aperture that cooperates with a fastener for attaching the buckle attachment plate to a vehicle structure such as a vehicle seat. Additionally, a spring is disposed between the buckle attachment plate and the head of the fastener. Further, the through aperture in the buckle attachment plate is oversized such that the buckle attachment plate and attached buckle can rotate along a longitudinal axis of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Miguel Sanchez, Brian Serra
  • Patent number: 7296825
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle switch is disclosed. This switch provides multiple discrete output states, including buckled, unbuckled, open loop and shorted. This switch works in association with a control module which uses the buckle switch state to detect a failure condition, execute an appropriate driver warning and, in an adaptive restraints application, to deploy other safety devices based on whether the seat belt is fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
  • Patent number: 7237802
    Abstract: An airbag cushion venting system is disclosed. The system comprises an airbag cushion body having a cushion vent formed therein. A vent cover is attached to the body such that the vent cover at least partially covers the cushion vent in its unconstrained state. A tieback structure holds the vent cover either away from the cushion vent opening or in a position such that a smaller portion of the cushion vent is covered than is covered in the cushion vent's unconstrained state and is adapted to release the vent cover once the body has expanded a sufficient amount to enable the vent cover to at least partially cover the cushion vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Marc P. Russell
  • Patent number: 7192079
    Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus particularly adapted for motor vehicle front end structures for mitigating injuries of pedestrians struck by the vehicle. The apparatus incorporates a front grill which is moveable between extended and retracted positions. While it is in its extended position, the grill is designed to absorb energy from a pedestrian impact to reduce pedestrian injuries. The position of the grill is controlled by an actuator which responds to control inputs such as vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schramm, Brent Parks
  • Patent number: 7147733
    Abstract: Ammonium perchlorate-containing gas generant compositions which, upon combustion, produce or result in an improved effluent and related methods for generating an inflation gas for use in an inflatable restraint system are provided. Such ammonium perchlorate-containing gas generant compositions include ammonium perchlorate present with a mean particle size in excess of 100 microns. Such ammonium perchlorate-containing gas generant compositions also include or contain a chlorine scavenger present in an amount effective to result in a gaseous effluent that is substantially free of hydrogen chloride when the gas generant is combusted, wherein at least about 98 weight percent of the chlorine scavenger is a copper-containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Barnes, Ivan V. Mendenhall, Robert D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7144032
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pelvic airbag. The pelvic airbag has a front panel and a rear panel that is attached to the front panel. The airbag is made of metal, plastic, or combinations of metal and plastic and is configured such that it may be retained in a vehicle door between the inner skin and the trim panel. The airbag is further constructed such that when it is in the uninflated configuration, the thickness of the airbag is between about 2 to about 25 millimeters. An attachment mechanism may also be attached to the airbag. The attachment mechanism is designed to attach the airbag to the vehicle door. Additionally, an inflator housing may be attached to the rear panel. The inflator housing houses an inflator that is designed to inflate the airbag in the event of an accident or crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Lunt, Mark L. Enders, Kurt Gammil
  • Patent number: 7144034
    Abstract: A vibration gasket that is capable of dampening vibrations or movements of a vehicle steering wheel is disclosed. The vibration gasket has a first surface that may be attached to an airbag inflator and a second surface that may be attached to an airbag mounting plate. At least one foil strip is also added to the vibration gasket. The foil strip has an inflator interface area and a mounting plate interface area. The foil strip is constructed such that the inflator interface area may be positioned between the first surface and the inflator. Similarly, the foil strip is also constructed such that the mounting plate interface area may be positioned between the second surface and the mounting plate. Additionally, the vibration gasket may also be used to electrically ground the airbag inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Krista Nash, Jeremy Visker
  • Patent number: 7140571
    Abstract: An electric retractor extracts and retracts a seat belt in response to tension in the seat belt. The electric retractor may include a spool rotatably attached to a retractor frame. A seat belt is wound on the spool. The spool is rotated by a motor via a worm gear system that permits limited axial motion of the worm, but generally prevents the motor from being back-driven by tension in the seat belt to prevent forced seat belt extraction. The gear system may also cut off power to the motor in the event of excessive seat belt tension to prevent further payout of the seat belt. A senses tension in the seat belt and activates the motor to retract or extract the seat belt from the retractor. An emergency control system may override the web guide control in response to abnormal vehicle dynamics to provide reversible pre-crash pretensioning and/or crash pretensioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv, ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. Hishon, Samuel D. Engler, Krzysztof W. Karwaczynski
  • Patent number: 7125037
    Abstract: The cushion retention system includes a cushion, at least one tab attached to the cushion, and a supporting member having an intermediary region and at least one aperture. The cushion is positioned in a folded condition. The supporting member is disposed along an outer periphery of the cushion. The tab, which includes a head and a narrow neck, interlocks with the aperture on the supporting member to retain the supporting member along an outer periphery of the folded cushion. In this interlocked condition, the supporting members apply an inward compressive force to retain the cushion in a folded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Tallerico, Richard Welford, Kurt Gammill
  • Patent number: 7125038
    Abstract: An inflatable airbag curtain assembly that includes an inflatable curtain and a stiffening member is provided. The stiffening member is a bar-shaped plastic, metal, or similar component with a stiffness greater than the inflatable curtain. The stiffening member extends along a length of the inflatable curtain adjacent the inlet port and the closest mounting location to the roof rail of the vehicle. The stiffening member can be disposed within a channel formed near the top edge of the curtain. The inlet port of the inflatable curtain can receive a gas guide that extends from an inflator. The stiffening member has an attaching portion that connects to a defined location on the gas guide. The stiffening member thereby resists twisting of the inflatable curtain between the gas guide junction and the closest mounting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Gammill
  • Patent number: 7124851
    Abstract: A seat mounting structure is disclosed for reducing injury to vehicle occupants in side impact collisions. The seat mounting structure may include an inflation module, a linkage system, a sensor system, and a side airbag. The inflation module may include an inflatable structure and inflator or a piston device. The linkage system attaches the seat mounting structure to a seat and may help guide the movement of the seat. The sensor system may include a radar sensor and an optical sensor to help the sensor system anticipate an impending side impact. The seat mounting structure mitigates injury to the occupant by moving the occupant vertically up and laterally toward a centerline of the vehicle, thus increasing the space between the sidewall of the vehicle and the occupant. Additionally, the inflation module may comprise an inflatable structure that stiffens a floor structure of the vehicle upon inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Smith, Saeed D. Barbat, Donald J. Paxton
  • Patent number: 7121576
    Abstract: An airbag retention collar for attaching an inflatable airbag cushion in an airbag module assembly including a module canister and a side discharge inflator device. The retention collar includes a bent plate adapted to overlie the side discharge inflator device. A first mounting flange is disposed at a first end of the bent plate and a second mounting flange is disposed at a second end of the bent plate opposite the first end. The first and second mounting flanges each extend at an angle from the bent plate. The retention collar also includes a diffuser flange extending from the bent plate and a plate opening in the bent plate. The plate opening is disposed between the diffuser flange and the first mounting flange and is adapted to receive an inflator diffuser of the inflator device, such that the inflator diffuser extends through the plate opening to be disposed between the diffuser flange and the first mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. DePottey, Larry D. Rose
  • Patent number: 7098778
    Abstract: An Impact sensor assembly provides a modular housing for vehicle impact sensors. The assembly comprises an impact sensor, an upper housing member, a lower housing member and a connector for establishing an electrical connection between the assembly and an appropriate vehicle system. The assembly may further include electronics for processing signals received from the sensor. The lower housing member receives and retains the sensor, and closeably interacts with the upper housing member to encase the sensor. The assembly defines structural features that ensures its proper installation into a vehicle. The preferred embodiment assures proper functioning of deformation impact sensors. A method of installing the assembly provides a process for rapid and proper installation of the assembly into a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Zoratti, Jeffrey A. Bochenek
  • Patent number: 7097200
    Abstract: The application provides a bracket for regulating the deployment characteristics of a deploying airbag cushion. The brackets of the invention provide at least local control over the deployment path of an airbag cushion by rotating at least a portion of the cushion along its length either away from a vehicle occupant, or more generally, away from a structure, person, or object possibly positioned in the path of a deploying airbag cushion. Such brackets may be structured to rotate a deploying cushion in part by providing an additional reaction surface and by partially surrounding the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Dana Wold
  • Patent number: 7097199
    Abstract: An enhanced fastening assembly may be used, for example, to attach an emblem to an airbag cover. The fastening assembly may include the emblem and a backing member. The emblem may have a panel with a decorative surface and one or more protrusions extending from the opposite side of the panel. Each protrusion has a proximal end adjacent to the panel and a larger distal end. The protrusions extend through openings in the cover. The backing member has open-ended slots that receive the proximal ends to interfere with withdrawal of the distal ends through the openings. Tabs adjacent to the slots snap into position to abut the distal ends to restrict removal of the backing plate from the emblem. In one alternative embodiment, the emblem also has hooks that pass through additional holes in the cover and engage supplemental slots of the backing member to provide for more secure attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Dearden, David Jones, Marc Folsom
  • Patent number: 7083188
    Abstract: An airbag module may include an inflator, a cushion, and a retention apparatus that keeps the cushion in a stowed configuration until deployment. The retention apparatus may include a flexible member wrapped around the cushion and a hook-and-loop fastening strip attached to the flexible member via a sewn seam. The hook-and-loop fastening strip has hooks fastened to the flexible member to secure the flexible member around the cushion. The sewn seam is weak enough to permit the hook-and-loop fastening strip to break away from the flexible member. When the cushion begins to inflate, the sewn seam breaks to allow the hook-and-loop fastening strip to separate from one side of the flexible member while remaining attached to the opposite side. The cushion is able to inflate through the corresponding opening formed in the retention apparatus. In alternative embodiments, the flexible member, fastener, and attachment mechanism may be reconfigured or omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David Henderson, Brian A. Lighthall
  • Patent number: 7084385
    Abstract: A range discriminating optical sensor for use in a vehicle safety system is provided. The range discriminating sensor is designed to create a small depth of field such that objects at a range outside of the depth of field are eliminated from the image. Generally, the optical sensor uses a large aperture to limit the depth of field. An electronic imaging element is used to detect the image projected by the lens. The electronic imaging element may have a small pixel size which further reduces the depth of field. A signal processor can be used to determine the distance from the image sensor with objects with the selected depth of field appearing in focus and those outside of the depth of field appearing out of focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen W. Decker, Bernard DeMersseman
  • Patent number: 7077429
    Abstract: The inflatable cushion of the present invention includes at least two panels and one or more heat shield strips. Each panel has an inflatable region, an attachment region, and a peripheral edge. The attachment region is positioned between the peripheral edge and the inflatable region of each panel. An inward fold is disposed between the inflatable region and the attachment region of each panel. The attachment regions of each panel are disposed proximate each other. A heat shield strip is disposed on a portion of the attachment region and the inflatable region of the same panel. A secure fastener secures the attachment regions of each adjacent panel together and secures the heat shield strip to the attachment region on which it is disposed. A frangible fastener secures the heat shield strip to the adjacent inflatable region on which it is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Trudy C. Lewis, Marc P. Russell, Shyam S. V. Kuppurathanam