Abstract: A low-volume airbag can deploy from a seat back to cushion an occupant disposed rearward of the seat during a collision event. The low-volume airbag can deploy from the seat at a position that is level with or lower than the position of the occupant's knees. When deployed, the low-volume airbag may adopt a curved or bent configuration. The low-volume airbag can be shaped and positioned to receive the head and/or torso of the occupant during a collision event. Cushioning of the knees of an occupant during a collision event may also be provided.

Abstract: An electronic module and method of making an electronic module include a printed circuit board (PCB) having a surface, at least one conductive trace being formed on the surface. A housing element for mechanically mating with the PCB includes at least one mating surface aligned with the conductive trace on the PCB when the PCB and the housing element are mechanically mated, the mating surface comprising a plurality of alternating protrusions and spaces between the protrusions.

Abstract: A steering wheel is provided that may include a central member, a rim, a structural member, a switch-frame and a switch assembly. The rim may be spaced apart from the central member. The structural member may extend between the central member and the rim. The switch-frame may be secured relative to the structural member and may include first, second, and third members cooperating to define an opening. The first member may be disposed between the central member and the rim and may extend laterally across the structural member. The second and third members may be spaced apart from each other and may extend from the first member toward the rim. The switch assembly may be mounted to the switch-frame and may at least partially extend through the opening.

Abstract: An inflator device includes a steel member to at least in part form a pressure vessel and an external composite wrap overlying at least a portion of the metal member. The metal member can be tubular and have an elongated length such as to form a steel inner liner that is incapable of withstanding the pressure generated within the pressure vessel upon actuation of the inflator device without support provided by the composite overwrap.

Abstract: A duplex firing initiator for an airbag inflator includes both a primary initiator and a secondary initiator for electrical connection to a Restraint Control Module. In the duplex firing initiator, current is conducted in a forward polarity through the primary initiator to actuate the primary initiator and current is conducted in a reverse polarity through the secondary initiator to actuate at least the secondary initiator.

Abstract: A knee airbag can be deployed from a side panel of a vehicle to cushion the lower leg of a vehicle occupant during a collision event. Such knee airbags can provide protection to occupants that move in a forward and outboard direction during a collision event. In some circumstances, the knee airbag includes one or more chambers.

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 chamber and a second chamber that inflates forward of the first chamber. The second chamber may be separated from the first chamber by a non-inflating region. The non-inflating region may have a width selected such that in-plane bending of the inflatable curtain occurs during deployment. The in-plane bending may position the second chamber lower than the first chamber such that the second chamber overlaps a significant portion of a door adjacent to the inflatable curtain. Forward and rearward portions of the non-inflating region may be attached together to form a fold that decreases the width of the non-inflating region, thereby enhancing the in-plane bending. The second chamber may also bend out-of-plane relative to the first chamber to help provide protection in small overlap collision situations.

Abstract: An airbag can include a first cushion portion that defines a first inflatable chamber and a second cushion portion that defines a second inflatable chamber. An inflator generates inflation gas to inflate the inflatable chambers. The first inflatable chamber is in fluid communication with the inflator to receive inflation gas to expand the first cushion portion. The second inflatable chamber is in fluid communication with a fill tube or other conduit, which is in fluid communication with the inflator to receive inflation gas to expand the second cushion portion. The fill tube is configured to be disposed between a portion of the first cushion portion and a portion of a vehicle, such that expansion of the first cushion portion as the first inflatable chamber inflates causes the fill tube to be closed. The fill tube is pinched closed against the vehicle portion by expansion of the first cushion portion.

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 of the first protection zone to provide enhanced protection. The second protection zone may be folded against the first protection zone so that, during deployment, the second protection zone pivots to unfold relative to the first protection zone. The airbag assembly may have a forward tether that provides longitudinal tension on the inflatable curtain airbag. The forward tether may be secured to the A-pillar of the vehicle and to a divider between the first and second protection zones so that deformation of the A-pillar may relieve the tension to allow the second protection zone to pivot inboard to provide protection from injuries that may be sustained in a small overlap or oblique collision.

Abstract: A seatbelt restraint system includes a seatbelt buckle housing having a printed circuit board, a slider, and an ejector. The printed circuit board includes a circuit where the output signal can be altered in response to translation of the ejector and the slider. A predetermined voltage can be applied to the circuit and the output signal can be detected in the circuit to determine the position of the ejector and the slider based on the detected altered output signal. In the event of a fault in the system, the resultant output signal of the circuit will be different than the expected output signal of the buckled and unbuckled states.

Abstract: An initiator assembly includes an SMI assembly board onto which at least a first and a second initiator are surface mounted. The first and second initiators each include a respective surface mount initiator board with which a respective igniter element is respectively mounted. Corresponding multi-initiator assemblies for automotive airbag inflator devices as well as automotive airbag inflator device combinations are also provided.

Abstract: An airbag assembly can comprise an inflation assembly to inflate a first airbag and a second airbag to deploy from a housing. The first airbag and the second airbag can receive inflation gas from the inflation assembly and deploy from a common housing. The inflation assembly can comprise a first inflator coupled to the first airbag and a second inflator coupled to the second airbag. Alternatively, the inflation assembly may comprise a dual-stage inflator coupled to each of the first airbag and the second airbag and configured to inflate each of the first airbag and the second airbag independently. A panel can couple together the first airbag and the second airbag.

Abstract: Airbag systems comprising at least one energy-absorbing component configured to absorb energy generated during the deployment of an airbag cushion. In some embodiments, a system may include a steering wheel assembly and an airbag assembly. The airbag assembly may comprise a housing configured to couple to the steering wheel assembly, an inflator coupled to the housing, and an airbag cushion coupled with the inflator. A first gap may be disposed between the inflator and at least one energy-absorbing component. A force from a deployment of the airbag cushion may cause the first gap to close and may result in contact between the inflator and at least one energy-absorbing component. The contact between the inflator and one or more of the energy-absorbing components transfers energy from the deployment of the airbag to one or more of the energy-absorbing components.

Abstract: An airbag assembly may include an airbag and an inflator in fluid communication with the airbag. The inflator may have a gas source chamber containing a gas source and a centrifugal flow chamber into which the gas flows from the gas source chamber through a centrifugal flow barrier. As the gas moves through the centrifugal flow barrier, it may be urged to move along a pathway that encircles at least a part of a longitudinal axis of the inflator. The gas may then move toward the longitudinal axis to flow through an orifice of an inward flow barrier. this inward flow may occur at a velocity that is generally too large for entrained particulates. Thus, such particulates may remain in the centrifugal flow chamber. The gas may flow from the orifice into a plenum chamber that releases the gas to the airbag via a plurality of apertures.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for coupling 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 implementations, a housing comprising an opening may be provided. An inflator comprising a collar may be positioned in the housing such that the collar of the inflator extends into, or in some cases through, the opening of the housing. The inflator may be fixedly coupled with the housing by engaging an exterior surface of the inflator collar with at least one engagement structure, such as a retainer clip or crimp formed in a collar sleeve of the housing.

Abstract: Tether attachment arrangements for a vehicle airbag cushion and methods for attaching tethers to inflatable cushions are provided. One inflatable cushion assembly includes an inflatable cushion having an interior and a tether disposed within the interior of the inflatable cushion. The tether has at least one portion attached to the interior of the inflatable cushion. The inflatable cushion assembly also includes a circuitous stitching at the portion attaching the tether to the interior of the inflatable cushion.

Abstract: An airbag, or inflatable curtain airbag assembly, can include one or more chambers and vents. The vents can be in fluid communication with one or more of the chambers. The vents can be configured to delay passage of inflation gas from an interior of the airbag into an interior chamber or to an exterior of the airbag upon deployment of the airbag. The vents can also be configured to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration when an internal pressure of the airbag reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator device for a passive restraint air bag system includes a housing defining a first chamber and a baffle passing through the first chamber. A supply of gas generant material is disposed in the first chamber and surrounds the baffle. An initiator is operative for creating a shock wave to open a burst disk and further operative to generate a hot gas to ignite the gas generant material. The initiator is disposed proximate a first end of the baffle. The baffle includes a reduced inner diameter portion and an unobstructed path extending along the length of the baffle.

Abstract: Methods for making a pressed monolithic gas generant for an inflatable restraint device (for example, an airbag system for a vehicle) are provided. The methods include admixing a gas generant material with a ballistic performance modifier to form a mixture. The mixture is granulated. Then, a pressed monolithic gas generant grain is formed by applying pressure to the granulated mixture, where the grain has an actual density of at least about 95% of the maximum theoretical density. The pressure may be applied in a controlled manner to both side of the gas generant material in a die cavity, and removing formed grain from die cavity while maintaining some pressure to both sides of the grain, thereby further improving various pyrotechnic properties.

Abstract: An airbag assembly may include an airbag and an inflator that provides inflation gas to inflate the airbag. A filter module may be positioned such that inflation gas exiting the inflator must first pass through the filter module. The filter module may be formed of a sheet of metal that is wrapped into a generally tubular shape. The filter module may have a first layer and a second layer that generally encircles the first layer. The first layer may have a pattern of holes and dimples that are separate from and/or displaced from each other. The dimples may protrude toward the second layer to maintain spacing to enable relatively unrestricted gas flow from the holes of the first layer through unaligned holes of the second layer. The resulting tortuous gas flow path may help to slow, cool, and/or purify the gas before it exits the inflator.