Abstract: A motor vehicle seat belt retractor having load limiting features for controlling seat belt restraint loads for a retractor having a spool for storing belt webbing and rotatable with respect to a retractor frame, and a locking mechanism for locking the spool to provide vehicle occupant restraint. A load limiting element coupled with the spool limits restraint loading of the seat belt webbing upon locking of the spool. A rotational displacement limiting mechanism limits the displacement of the load limiting element, the limiting mechanism having a cam forming a spiral flight rotatable with the load limiting element and a cam follower engaging the spiral flight. The cam and the cam follower interengage to reach an end position preventing further relative angular displacement beyond a predetermined angular displacement of the load limiting element. Embodiments provide various configurations for the cam and cam follower elements.

Abstract: A radar system and method with reduced multipath effects include a first component of a radar sensor module on which at least one antenna element is formed, the at least one antenna element having a surface at which radar radiation is received or transmitted, the at least one antenna element having a radiation aperture. A second component in proximity to the antenna element such that a portion of the radar radiation impinges on the second component comprises an angled surface forming an angle with the surface of the antenna element. The angled surface of the second component comprises a texture such that when the portion of the radiation impinges on the angled surface, the amount of multipath signal propagating through the radiation aperture of the antenna element is reduced.

Abstract: An airbag module assembly includes a module housing that defines a storage chamber. A thrust neutral inflator device is at least in part disposed within the storage chamber. The inflator device releases airbag inflation gas within the storage chamber in a cross-car manner. In specific embodiments, the cross-car release of the airbag inflation gas involves substantially all the airbag inflation gas being released at an angle of no more than ±60° and preferably at an angle of no more than ±50° from horizontal when viewed in a top planar view of the inflator device disposed within the housing.

Abstract: An initiator assembly for placement in an associated opening in an initiator-containing device includes an initiator device having at least one igniter element and an elastomeric overmoulding. The initiator device includes at least one of a thermoplastic initiator base and a thermoplastic adapter integrally joined to a base of the initiator-containing device. The elastomeric overmoulding is integral with at least one structural component such as the initiator base, the adapter and the base of the initiator-containing device. The elastomeric overmoulding serves to sealingly mate the initiator assembly in an initiator-accepting opening in the initiator-containing device. Also provided are corresponding methods of making an initiator assembly.

Abstract: A system for pretensioning a seatbelt includes a minispool and a drive rod. The drive rod includes a spiral portion that, when driven along a longitudinal axis, causes the minispool to rotate about the longitudinal axis. The spiral portion of the drive rod engages the minispool, which includes corresponding structure that tracks the spiral portion. The minispool is restricted from longitudinal travel such that tracking the spiral portion causes the minispool to rotate and the drive rod passes through the minispool. In another form, the minispool can be arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis, with the translation of the drive rod causing the minispool to translate in the same direction of the drive rod. The minispool can include teeth that engage a bracket, such that the translation of the minispool causes the minispool to rotate as it translates.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor inertial locking system for motor vehicle belt restraint systems. The inertial locking system incorporates features to reduce the influence of contaminants from causing unwanted locking of the associated retractor. The feature is in part provided by the positioning of a point contact between a ball mass and a locking lever. The inertia actuator forms the inertial ball mass nest surface which has a vented construction which permits the escape of contaminants and further contributes to reducing noise generated by contact between the ball mass and the nest surface.

Abstract: A restraint device for restraining an occupant in a vehicle includes a belt, an inflator, a gas guide, and a flexible tether. The belt includes a first layer, a second layer, and a seal between the first and second layers. The first and second layers extend from a first end of the belt to a second end of the belt. The seal cooperates with the first and second layers to form an inflatable portion of the belt. The inflator is operable to provide pressurized gas. The gas guide has a first end placed over an outlet of the inflator and a second end extending into the inflatable portion of the belt. The flexible tether secures the gas guide to the belt.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems for coupling a base of an airbag inflator with a housing, such as an airbag module housing or an adapter housing configured to be coupled with an airbag module housing. In some embodiments, a vehicle airbag assembly may comprise a housing comprising an opening and a plurality of notches. An inflator comprising an inflator base may be received in the opening such that at least a portion of the inflator base extends out of the opening. A plurality of tabs may be positioned about the inflator base. The plurality of tabs may be configured to be received in the plurality of notches and misaligned with the plurality of notches by rotating the plurality of notches with respect to at least one component of the vehicle airbag assembly, such as a retaining washer, to prevent the inflator base from being withdrawn from the opening.

Abstract: Ejection mitigation devices are disclosed that limit, prevent, or otherwise mitigate vehicle occupant ejection through the roof of a vehicle in events involving roof failure. The ejection mitigation devices are to be installed at the roof of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The devices include a canopy having sufficient strength to restrain movement of a vehicle occupant through the canopy. The canopy is configured to be attached to one or more roof rails of the passenger compartment at a position interior to the outer roof skin.

Abstract: Gas guides or airbag assemblies including gas guides are disclosed. The gas guides can direct inflation gas within an inflatable cushion. The gas guides can include a forward opening that delivers inflation gas to a forward portion of an inflatable cushion and a rearward opening that delivers inflation gas to a rearward portion of an inflatable cushion. The gas guides can further include a downward opening that delivers inflation gas downward to a lower portion of an inflatable cushion. The area of the downward opening can be greater than the areas of the forward opening or the rearward opening such that a greater portion of the inflation gas is directed downward into the inflatable cushion.

Abstract: A braking system for a vehicle is operative to apply a friction brake force to at least one wheel of the vehicle. The braking system includes a master cylinder is in fluid communication with a reservoir of brake fluid and in fluid communication with the hydraulic brake device. According to one aspect, the braking system includes an electric brake force generator which moves the brake fluid within the master cylinder to deliver brake fluid to the friction brake device in response to a first predetermined displacement of a brake pedal. The electric brake force generator includes a housing defining a boost chamber filled with brake fluid and in fluid communication with the reservoir of brake fluid and further includes a drive arrangement for creating pressure in the boost chamber.

Abstract: An automobile radar module and method include a PCB having a first side on which RF electronic components are mounted and a second side on which digital electronic components are mounted. An EMI shield is mounted over the first side of the PCB, and a radome is mounted over the EMI shield. The EMI shield comprises an aperture exposing RF components on the first side of the PCB. The radome comprises a protrusion which protrudes into the aperture in the EMI shield. The protrusion and sidewalls of the aperture define a shielded region above the RF components on the first side of the PCB. The sidewalls extend at an acute angle with respect to a plane of the primary surface of the EMI shield, the acute angle being selected based on operational parameters of the radar module such that a predetermined shielding performance is realized.

Abstract: A belt for restraining an occupant in a vehicle includes a first and second layers extending from a first end of the belt to a second end of the belt, and a seal joining the first and second layers to form an inflatable portion of the belt. The inflatable portion includes a first wing, a second wing, and a tear seam. The first and second wings are disposed within the inflatable portion. The first wing has a first width and the second wing has a second width that, in one example, is different than the first width. The tear seam separates the interior of the inflatable portion from the interiors of the first and second wings. The tear seam is configured to tear when the belt is inflated, allowing gas to fill the first and second wings and expand the first and second wings laterally outward.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for deflecting a vehicle wheel away from a foot well to reduce the chances for intrusion into the foot well during certain collisions, such as foot well intruding impact events. In some embodiments, the system may comprise an expandable structure comprising a rigid material. The expandable structure may be configured to be positioned in a wheel well of a vehicle and may be configured to actuate from a first, contracted configuration to a second, expanded configuration, and to deflect a vehicle wheel away from a foot well of the vehicle during an impact event to reduce the chances of the vehicle wheel entering the foot well during the impact event. The system may further comprise an inflator configured to deliver a fluid to the expandable structure during actuation so as to expand the expandable structure from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: Determining distance and relative speed includes a transmitter transmitting electromagnetic signals defined by a plurality of sections, a first section comprising a continuous-wave (CW) signal, a second section comprising a chirp electromagnetic signal, the chirp electromagnetic signal comprising a plurality of subsections. A detector detects reflected signals being the transmitted electromagnetic signals reflected from an object, and comprising a reflected CW signal and a reflected chirp signal. The detector detects the reflected signals by: (i) generating a plurality of samples of the reflected CW signal, and (ii) generating a plurality of samples of the reflected chirp signal. A processor determines a first set of phase differences among the plurality of samples of the reflected CW signal and a second set of phase differences among the plurality of samples of the reflected chirp signal, and processes the first and second sets of phase differences to determine the distance, relative speed and bearing.

Abstract: An I/Q mixer and processing method for a radar system include an RF input and an LO input. Phase shifters apply a selectable phase shift to the LO signal to produce a first phase-shifted version of the LO signal and a second phase-shifted version of the LO signal, the first and second phase-shifted versions of the LO signal being in quadrature. A first set of switches is controllable to selectively apply the selectable phase shift to the LO signal. A first mixer unit receives the RF signal at a first input of the first mixer unit, and a second mixer unit receives the RF signal at a first input of the second mixer unit.

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. In some arrangements, a temporary fastener may maintain the second cushion portion in a compact state during expansion of the first cushion portion.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for displacing one or more vehicle seats in a rearward direction during an impact event to increase the space between the occupant's knees/legs and an instrument panel and/or firewall, prior to the intrusion caused by the impact. In some embodiments, the system may comprise a vehicle seat and a displacement system configured to automatically displace the vehicle seat upon detecting a foot well intruding impact event within a vehicle. The displacement system may comprise a seat rail mechanism coupled with the vehicle seat and a pyrotechnic device configured to displace the vehicle seat on the seat rail mechanism upon actuation of the pyrotechnic device.

Abstract: A system and method for determining when to deploy a vehicle safety system includes a processor and inertial sensor. The inertial sensor has a filtered output and an unfiltered or lightly filtered output. The unfiltered or lightly filtered output is in communication with the processor and provides inertial information relating to the vehicle. The filtered output of the inertial sensor is in communication with a vehicle stability control system. The processor is further configured to monitor the unfiltered or lightly filtered output of the inertial sensor and determine if the inertial information indicates that the vehicle has been involved in a collision. If the vehicle has been involved in a collision, the processor is configured to deploy a vehicle safety system.

Abstract: A restraint system for a mobile platform incorporating a seat assembly having a seatback coupled to a seat bottom at a first end of the seatback is provided. The restraint system may include a belt portion having a first end connected to one of the mobile platform and the seatback proximate to a second end of the seatback opposite the first end and a second end connected to one of the mobile platform and the seat bottom proximate to the seat bottom. The second end may be connected to one of the mobile platform and the seat bottom via a retractor.