Patents Assigned to Autoliv ASP, Inc.
  • System and method to determine the operating status of an electrical system having a system controller and an actuator controller
    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
  • Airbag with deflector
    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
  • Belt integrated airbag
    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
  • CONTROLLED PRESSURE RELEASE FOR SEATBELT PRETENSIONING DEVICES
    Publication number: 20140265289
    Abstract: The seatbelt pretensioner, which is designed for reducing slack in seatbelt webbing upon deployment in response to a triggering event, comprises an igniter that generates gas in response to the triggering event, an elongate body defining a chamber for receiving and the confining gas generated by the igniter, a piston movable within the elongate body by the gas generated, a slack-reducing assembly that responds to movement of the piston and is connected to at least a portion of seatbelt webbing, movement of the piston causes the slack-reducing assembly to move the seat belt webbing reducing slack in the seatbelt webbing; and a controlled pressure release that enables gas to escape from the elongate body after deployment, relieving gas pressure within the pretensioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Jon E. Burrow, Bin Wang, Kurt W. Schulz
  • INFLATABLE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY WITH AN INTERNALLY MOUNTED INFLATOR
    Publication number: 20140265264
    Abstract: An inflatable airbag assembly can include an inflatable curtain airbag and an inflator. In some arrangements, the inflatable curtain airbag may include an inflator housing region where the inflator may be at least partially disposed. In some arrangements, the inflatable airbag assembly may also include a mounting assembly that includes a coupling member tethered to a mounting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Eugene Low, Kurt Lawrence Gammill
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING OPERATIONAL STATES OF VEHICLE REMOTE ACTUATORS DURING FAILURE CONDITIONS
    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
  • DIAGNOSABLE SLIDE SWITCH
    Publication number: 20140266239
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph DEWEY, Thomas James Herbert, Jan Pontus Söderström
  • RADIAL FLOW DISC INFLATOR
    Publication number: 20140265276
    Abstract: Air bag cushion inflators can include a body including a base member coupled to a diffuser member, the diffuser member including a sidewall with exit ports and a ceiling. A combustion chamber may be positioned within the body and includes a cap with an opening formed therein. A filter element may be positioned in fluid communication with the opening in the combustion chamber cap, and located between the combustion chamber cap and the diffuser member ceiling. The filter element includes at least one barrier and a plurality of apertures positioned to cause inflation gas from the combustion chamber to travel from the opening in the combustion chamber cap to the exit port along a tortuous path including at least one debris pocket and at least one impact region. Methods of forming a filter, and disposing the filter in an inflator body. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Fischer
  • SEATBELT PRETENSIONER
    Publication number: 20140263808
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Bin WANG, Jon Burrow, Robert Verhoven, Tim Cahill, Robert J. Desmarais, Bradley W. Smith
  • CURTAIN AIRBAG ASSEMBLY WITH A REINFORCED REGION
    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
  • Compressive Sensor Packaging Techniques
    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
  • SEATBELT ANCHOR ASSEMBLY
    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
  • AIRBAG ASSEMBLIES WITH HEAT SHIELD DEFLECTORS
    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
  • COOL BURNING GAS GENERANT COMPOSITIONS
    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
  • VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM WITH ELECTRIC BRAKE BOOSTER
    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
  • REDUCED WIDTH LINEAR PRETENSIONER FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SEATBELT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20140265290
    Abstract: A guide that can be included as part of a pretensioner for a motor vehicle belt restraint system. The pretensioner includes a frame having walls that define an interior compartment. Located within the interior compartment is a piston assembly having a gas generator in communication with a piston. The gas generator creates an expanding gas that causes movement of the piston and applies tension to a seatbelt of the belt restraint system. The guide includes an opening through which the seatbelt passes and that causes the seatbelt to form a reduced width configuration upon exiting the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Ver Hoven, Timothy J. Cahill, Jon E. Burrow, Matthias Bäker
  • DELAYED VENT IN AIRBAG CURTAIN
    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
  • ENHANCED SLAG FORMATION FOR COPPER-CONTAINING GAS GENERANTS
    Publication number: 20140261927
    Abstract: Gas generants comprising copper are provided that have improved slagging ability. In certain aspects, the gas generants include a fuel, an oxidizer comprising basic copper nitrate, and a large particle size endothermic slag-forming component, such as aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3). The gas generants may be cool burning, e.g., having a maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc)?about 1,900K (1,627° C.). The disclosure also provides methods of enhancing slag formation for a gas generant composition that comprises copper. Such methods enhance slag formation during combustion of the gas generant composition by at least 50%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Ivan V. Mendenhall, Bradley W. Smith
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INERTIAL SENSOR OFFSET COMPENSATION
    Publication number: 20140260517
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and system for compensation of inertial sensors. In one implementation a modified moving average is applied to provide dynamic offset compensation for an inertial sensor output that is calculated when a vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon D. Demerly
  • PROGRESSIVE LOAD LIMITING RESTRAING SYSTEM
    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