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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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.

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: 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: 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.