Abstract: Airbags and airbag assemblies are disclosed that include passive adaptive venting. The disclosed embodiments include an airbag cushion to define an inflation chamber and that include a set of vents. The set of vents is disposed through a panel of the airbag cushion. The set of vents allow egress of inflation gas from the inflation chamber and to be in an open state when a degree of compression of the airbag cushion is below a threshold level. The set of vents is configured to be in a closed state and/or obstructed by a vehicle surface of a vehicle structure when the degree of compression of the airbag cushion exceeds the threshold level.

Abstract: Methods and systems for correcting leakage and/or distortion in radar systems include defining an integration time period, dividing the integration time period into a first sub-period and a second sub-period, at least partially transmitting a transmission radar signal during the first sub-period of the integration time period, not transmitting at all during the second sub-period of the integration time period, integrating the detected signal during both the first sub-period and the second sub-period, and subtracting a last sampled integrated value of the second sub-period from a last sampled integrated value of the first sub-period to generate a corrected integrated value for the integration time period.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint device for a vehicle seat having a lower seat cushion includes a central portion and at least one side portion. The central portion extends in a lateral direction substantially across a central seat cushion portion of the lower seat cushion and has a first width perpendicular to the lateral direction. The at least one side portion laterally protects an occupant of the vehicle seat and has a second width perpendicular to the lateral direction. The second width is greater than the first width. The at least one side portion is in fluid communication with the central portion.

Abstract: An airbag can include a first cushion portion that defines a first inflatable chamber and a second cushion portion that is connected to the first cushion portion and defines a second inflatable chamber. The first inflatable chamber can receive inflation gas from an inflator to expand the first cushion portion and the second cushion portion can receive inflation gas from the first inflatable chamber to expand the second cushion portion. A unidirectional valve permits inflation gas to flow from the first inflatable chamber to the second inflatable chamber and restricts backflow of inflation gas from the second inflatable chamber to the first inflatable chamber.

Abstract: Vibration suppressors can include a resiliently flexible spring system that may be mounted at an exterior of a steering wheel of a vehicle, such as at a hub portion of a steering wheel armature. The spring system can include a fixable portion and a displaceable portion that is configured to be displaced relative to the fixable portion. A mass system can be coupled to the displaceable portion of the spring system and may also be at an exterior of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A vehicular safety restraint inflator device, the inflator device includes a tubular housing to provide inflation gas to inflate an associated inflatable restraint device and a toroidal clamp stop positioned on the tubular inflator housing. The clamp stop serves to provide a hard stop for an inflator attachment clamp to secure the inflator device within an airbag module and thus to minimize or avoid undesired lateral movement of the inflator device within a module assembly.

Abstract: An airbag cushion having a main airbag cushion panel that includes a pair of major body fabric portions continuously formed together with a pair of inner valve fabric portions extending therebetween. The pair of inner valve fabric portions are foldable to form an inner valve for at least in part containing an inflation gas supplying inflator device. The pair of major body fabric portions are joinable together at a peripheral joint portion to at least in part form an airbag cushion body. The airbag cushion body has or forms an interior to receive inflation gas and is deployable on a side of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat. Also provided are corresponding or associated methods of or for manufacturing a side airbag cushion.

Abstract: A system includes a processor circuit and a computer readable storage medium. The processor circuit may be configured to plug into an on board diagnostic connector of a vehicle. The computer readable storage medium generally embodies computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions, when executed by the processor circuit, enable the processor circuit to communicate with one or more busses of the vehicle and to communicate navigational information to an auxiliary device.

Abstract: An inflator bracket for a side curtain vehicle airbag assembly of a type for mounting along a roof rail of a motor vehicle interior and mounting an inflator for generating inflation gas for a side curtain airbag. The inflator bracket in the form of a formed sheet metal component providing a carrier section adapted to engage and support the inflator and extending to form a base section and forming at least one mounting tab having a hole therethrough for enabling a threaded fastener to fasten the bracket to the roof rail. A shelf formed by the bracket positioned between the mounting tab and the carrier section and extending generally perpendicular to the base section provides clearance for the fastening of the threaded fastener without interference with the curtain airbag. The bracket is provided in the form of an integrated structure incorporating the carrier section, the base section, the mounting tab, and the shelf.

Abstract: An airbag assembly may include an inflatable curtain airbag with a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The inflatable curtain may have a first protection zone and a second protection zone that inflates forward or rearward of the first protection zone to provide enhanced protection. The second protection zone may be double-folded against the first protection zone so that, during deployment, the second protection zone pivots to unfold relative to the first protection zone. Attachment features such as tack stitching may be used to secure the folded portions together. The tack stitching may be designed to break during deployment of the airbag such that the first protection zone inflates first, followed by a proximal portion of the second protection zone, and then by a distal portion of the second protection zone.

Abstract: An assembly provides a dual function for mounting a port connector on a circuit board and also secures a capacitor to the circuit board. The assembly includes the circuit board and a monolithic plastic frame having a flange, a snap structure, a capacitor cradle, and a socket section. The flange has a fastening structure for fastening the frame to the circuit board. The snap structure for a snap-in attachment of the port connector to the frame is arranged near an end edge of the circuit board. The capacitor cradle for holding a cylindrical capacitor is formed adjacent to the snap structure and is elevated from the circuit board by an air gap. The socket section bears socket contacts for receiving capacitor contact leads.

Abstract: A pretensioner assembly for motor vehicle belt restraint systems is provided. The pretensioner assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a driving element disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The tube includes a constriction disposed adjacent an exit of the tube. The constriction allows the driving element to pass but prevents a seal member disposed between the generator and the driving element from passing. The constriction provides backpressure on the seal member causing the seal member to expand radially outward. The system can also include a slug member disposed between the seal member and the driving element.

Abstract: An airbag can include a first cushion portion that defines a first inflatable chamber and a second cushion portion that is connected to the first cushion portion and defines a second inflatable chamber. The first inflatable chamber can receive inflation gas from an inflator to expand the first cushion portion, and the second cushion portion can receive inflation gas from the first inflatable chamber to expand the second cushion portion. A one-directional valve permits inflation gas to flow from the first inflatable chamber to the second inflatable chamber and restricts backflow of inflation gas from the second inflatable chamber to the first inflatable chamber.

Abstract: An airbag can include a first cushion portion that defines a first inflatable chamber and a second cushion portion that is connected to the first cushion portion and defines a second inflatable chamber. The first inflatable chamber can receive inflation gas from an inflator to expand the first cushion portion, and the second cushion portion can receive inflation gas from the first inflatable chamber to expand the second cushion portion. A one-directional valve permits inflation gas to flow from the first inflatable chamber to the second inflatable chamber and restricts backflow of inflation gas from the second inflatable chamber to the first inflatable chamber.

Abstract: A safety restraint system for a vehicle seat having a seat back, a seat cushion and a frame includes an inflatable pelvis restraint device having a flexible member extending laterally across the seat cushion and having a first end and a second end. The flexible member includes at least a portion that is inflatable for increasing a height of the seat proximate a forward edge of the seat. In one embodiment, both the first and second ends are attached to the frame. In another embodiment, the safety restraint system includes a continuous webbing that defines a pelvis restraint portion, a lap belt portion and a shoulder belt portion. The lap belt portion, the shoulder belt portion, or both may be additionally inflatable.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for retaining an airbag cushion to an airbag housing. Some embodiments may comprise an airbag housing comprising an outer surface, an airbag coupling ring configured to fit over the outer surface of the airbag housing, and an airbag cushion positioned in between the airbag housing and the airbag coupling ring such that the airbag cushion is pinched between the airbag coupling ring and the outer surface of the airbag housing so as to retain the airbag cushion to the airbag housing during deployment of the airbag cushion.

Abstract: An apparatus for filament wrapping a composite material around an object includes a fixture onto which the object can be rotationally fixed at a selected angle from vertical designated ?, where 90°>?>0°. The fixture is secured to a rotatable planar platform. The rotatable platform permits the fixture to be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the planar platform. An eyelet is provided wherethrough a composite material filament can be released to wrap the object rotationally fixed onto the fixture. Also provided are corresponding or associated methods for filament wrapping a composite material around an object and helically wrapping a composite material filament around an inflator device subassembly.

Abstract: Methods of forming a curable pre-impregnated composite precursor material with radiation (e.g., actinic or electron-beam) curable resin composition systems are provided, as are the curable pre-impregnated composite precursor materials themselves. The resin systems have reversible temperature-viscosity control, which are advantageously used to form curable pre-impregnated composite precursor materials (pre-preg) that can be cured to form a composite article. The uncured resin composition comprises: (a) an acrylate or a methacrylate monomer; (b) an oligomer species selected from the group consisting of: polyethers, polyesters, epoxies, and combinations thereof; and (c) a photoinitiator. The uncured resin has a first viscosity at 21° C. (70° F.) of ?about 200,000 centipoise (cP) and a second viscosity of ?about 5,000 cP at 65° C. (149° F.) or above.

Abstract: Protection systems for vehicle occupants, such as airbag assemblies, can be deployed from within a vehicle. Such airbag assemblies can include a frontal airbag cushion and a knee restraint to absorb an occupant's impact energy during a collision event. Such protection systems can be particularly useful in vehicles that provide generous leg room to an occupant.

Abstract: A pretensioner assembly for motor vehicle belt restraint systems is provided. The pretensioner assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a polymer rod disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The polymer rod is plastically deformable and engages a sprocket to rotate the sprocket in response to the travel of the rod, where rotation of the sprocket causes pretensioning. The rod has a non-constant cross-section along its length. The rod becomes locked after actuation to prevent travel in an opposite direction. The system further includes a seal member and slug member disposed between the rod and the gas generator, where the seal member is relatively flexible and the slug member is relatively hard.