Patents Assigned to Autoliv ASP, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8851522
    Abstract: A seatbelt anchor assembly includes a ferrule, a cable, and seatbelt buckle. The ferrule can be mounted at one end to a seat base or other mounted structure of the vehicle, and can further include an anti-rotation pin that is received in a locating hole of the seat base to limit rotation of the ferrule during mounting and during normal occupant use. The pin can be made from aluminum or other material that can shear off in response to a dynamic vehicle load, allowing the ferrule to pivot about its mounting location to align the loads. The ferrule can be in the form of a blank including a body portion and a head portion having a pair of ears, and can include a recess between the ear portions and the body portion to limit tension in the ferrule when the ferrule is crimped to mount a cable thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David Srugis, Thomas Garvey, Nick Paglia, David Dziuda, Scott Bellman
  • Patent number: 8847535
    Abstract: A system and method to determine the operating status of an electrical system includes a system controller and an actuator controller. The system controller determines if the actuator controller is operating properly and initiates a safe mode of operation if the actuator is not operating properly. In turn, the actuator controller determines if the system controller is operating properly and initiates a safe mode of operation if the system controller is not operating properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Duane Mills, Jeffrey Michael Carpenter
  • Patent number: 8840139
    Abstract: An airbag can include a base panel and a cushioning panel that cooperate to define an inflatable chamber. A deflector can be positioned between the base panel and the cushioning panel. The deflector can be attached to the base panel so as to define a lower inflation aperture that directs inflation gas toward a bottom end of the base panel. In some arrangements, the airbag can include a tether that extends through the lower inflation aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Borton, Changsoo Choi
  • Patent number: 8840137
    Abstract: A restraint system for a seat is provided and may include a first portion having a first end fixed for movement with the seat and a second end movable relative to the seat. The restraint system may also include a second portion having a first end fixed for movement with the seat and a second end movable relative to the seat and selectively attached to the second end of the first portion. An inflator may be associated with the second portion and may move the second portion from a pre-deployed state to an inflated state. The inflator may be at least partially disposed within the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Schneider, Patrick Patercsak, Raj Valera
  • Publication number: 20140261040
    Abstract: Pressed and segmented gas generant grain assemblies formed from a plurality of symmetric gas generant pieces or segments are disclosed. The symmetric pieces or segments are arranged circumferentially to define a substantially round, segmented body. In certain variations, the symmetric segments are substantially free of polymeric binder and have a high density. The segmented pressed grain assemblies are more robust and less expensive to manufacture, while still exhibiting desired combustion performance. Methods of making such segmented gas generant grain assemblies are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Cox, Bradley W. Smith, K. Doyle Russell, Michael Jones
  • Publication number: 20140265275
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Roger Rickenbach, John D. Kemp, Charles Paul Dinsdale, JR., Brian Fulmer, Abraham Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20140261929
    Abstract: Cool burning gas generating compositions having minimal performance variation at temperature and pressure extremes are provided. The gas generants include a primary fuel comprising a metal salt of a dicarboxylic acid (e.g., copper adipate), a secondary fuel (e.g., guanidine nitrate), at least one oxidizer (e.g., basic copper nitrate), and a burn rate modifier (e.g., zinc oxide). Such a cool burning gas generant composition has a maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc) of ?1700K and a linear burn rate pressure exponent of ?0.3, along with superior combustion stability and desirably high gas output. Moreover, such a cool burning gas generant enables improved, lighter and more efficient inflator assemblies requiring fewer inflator components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventor: Ivan V. Mendenhall
  • Publication number: 20140265262
    Abstract: Heat shields are used to shield an airbag from hot gasses issuing from an inflator. The heat shields can have a low thermal conductivity and may be capable of melting during a deployment event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: John F. Witt, JR., David W. Schneider, Michael Kutchey, Jamie R. Fritz
  • Publication number: 20140265263
    Abstract: An airbag cushion assembly can include a mounting assembly and an airbag cushion. The mounting assembly includes a plate which may be coupled to the airbag cushion, and which may also include a fastener which is used to attach the assembly to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Balaskandan Shankar, Mark Hatfield
  • Publication number: 20140265280
    Abstract: An airbag can include a base panel and a cushioning panel that cooperate to define an inflatable chamber. A deflector can be positioned between the base panel and the cushioning panel. The deflector can be attached to the base panel so as to define a lower inflation aperture that directs inflation gas toward a bottom end of the base panel. In some arrangements, the airbag can include a tether that extends through the lower inflation aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Borton, Changsoo Choi
  • Publication number: 20140261729
    Abstract: An airbag assembly may include an airbag and an inflator in fluid communication with the airbag. The inflator may have a first chamber containing a first gas source and a second chamber containing a second gas source. A filter module may be positioned to filter and redirect gas flows from the first and second gas sources. The filter module may be constructed by securing a baffle within an interior cavity of a filter medium having a generally tubular shape, prior to installation of the filter module the inflator. The baffle may be supported directly by the material of the filter module, by a bracket, or by a support structure formed of wire thicker than that of the filter medium. The baffle may maintain isolation between the first and second chambers, or may help gas from the first gas source initiate gas provision from the second gas source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Lewis, Kirk H. Rasmussen, Matthew A. Cox
  • Publication number: 20140265542
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Karen Ann BOSWELL, Suat Ali Ozsoylu
  • Publication number: 20140265445
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for a motor vehicle adapted for sensing impacts including pedestrian impacts. The sensor assembly includes first and second energy absorbing elements formed of differing materials which couple an applied force to the vehicle to a compressive force acting on a compressive sensor element. The first and second energy absorbers are combined in a manner to tune the response between the applied force and forces acting on the compressive sensor to provide desired response characteristics. The first and second energy absorbers can be configured to produce force flow paths which further aid in response tuning. Another embodiment utilizes an energy absorber having a shaped cross section which focuses and balances impact force is applied to the compressive sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. LEACH
  • Publication number: 20140277979
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining operational states of vehicle remote actuators during failure conditions is described. The system controller determines if the actuator controller is operating properly by monitoring an enable line and initiates a safe mode of operation if the actuator is not operating properly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Colm Boran
  • Publication number: 20140265271
    Abstract: An inflatable curtain airbag system can include a first inflatable curtain airbag, a second inflatable curtain airbag, and a reinforced region. In some arrangements, the reinforced region may include a region where a portion of the first inflatable curtain airbag overlaps a portion of the second inflatable curtain airbag. In other arrangements, the reinforced region may include a region where either or both of the first and second inflatable curtain airbags comprise a localized region of increased stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Dinsdale, Roger Rickenbach, Tyler Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20140265545
    Abstract: A braking system for a vehicle having a hydraulic brake device for applying a friction brake force to at least one wheel of the vehicle includes a master cylinder and a mechanically controlled backup hydraulic cylinder. The master cylinder is in fluid communication with a reserve of brake fluid and in fluid communication with hydraulic brake device. The master cylinder is operative to control the hydraulic brake device upon actuation. The mechanically controlled regulation backup cylinder is in fluid communication with the reserve of brake fluid and in fluid communication with the master cylinder. The backup hydraulic cylinder is mechanically controlled to move brake fluid therein and thereby actuate the master cylinder by delivering brake fluid to the master cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Michael YANG, Ronald Posa
  • Publication number: 20140263809
    Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner is provided including an inner tube with a gas generator housed therein, an intermediate sleeve extending over the inner tube, and a spool portion housing the sleeve and the tube. The spool portion includes spiraling flutes thereon that correspond to a protruding member in the form of flutes or pegs extending from the intermediate sleeve. In response to the gas generator firing, the sleeve will be driven longitudinally, causing the protruding member to act on the spiraling flutes of the spool, thereby causing the spool to rotate. The intermediate sleeve can include a spiraling slot that receives a peg from the inner tube, so that the intermediate sleeve will rotate to compound the spool rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl Henry NELSON, Hans-Otto Kock, Isaac Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20140265286
    Abstract: A seatbelt anchor assembly includes a ferrule, a cable, and seatbelt buckle. The ferrule can be mounted at one end to a seat base or other mounted structure of the vehicle, and can further include an anti-rotation pin that is received in a locating hole of the seat base to limit rotation of the ferrule during mounting and during normal occupant use. The pin can be made from aluminum or other material that can shear off in response to a dynamic vehicle load, allowing the ferrule to pivot about its mounting location to align the loads. The ferrule can be in the form of a blank including a body portion and a head portion having a pair of ears, and can include a recess between the ear portions and the body portion to limit tension in the ferrule when the ferrule is crimped to mount a cable thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David SRUGIS, Thomas Garvey, Nick Paglia, David Dziuda, Scott Bellman
  • Publication number: 20140263797
    Abstract: A torsion bar having progressive load limiting characteristics for use in a vehicle restraint system is provided. The torsion bar includes a longitudinal main body portion having a first end for mounting to a belt retractor spindle and a second end for being engaged and disengaged with a seatbelt locking mechanism. The main body portion includes a longitudinal slot extending transversely therethrough that defines an opening therein. The torsion bar will twist in response to a first torsional load, which will cause the opening to become closed. When the opening becomes closed, the torsion bar with withstand twisting up to a second torsional load, where the torsion bar will twist again in response to the second torsional load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher KOPROWICZ, Thomas Garvey, Susan Richards
  • Publication number: 20140265265
    Abstract: An airbag, or inflatable cushion assembly, can include an inflatable cushion and a throat liner. The throat liner can be coupled to an interior surface of the inflatable cushion at one or more coupling sites. The one or more coupling sites can include one or more panels that can be coupled to at least a portion of both of the inflatable cushion and the throat liner. The one or more panels can be configured to control or inhibit egress of an inflation gas at the one or more coupling sites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Kemp, G. Doyle Obray, Kazuki Fujiwara, Roger Rickenbach