Patents Assigned to Autoliv ASP, Inc.
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Patent number: 7938436Abstract: An inflator assembly is disclosed for use in an automobile. The inflator assembly features a slide-on housing around an inflator.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Larry Frank Lunt, Louis Mueller
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Patent number: 7938443Abstract: An inflator capable of directing inflation gas into the cushion of an airbag module is thrust neutral during shipping, handling and installation. The inflator's thrust-neutral feature can be rendered inoperable for use with the airbag module. A thrust-balancing portion of the inflator has a circumferentially continuous sidewall that encloses an elongated passageway and has a proximal end configured to receive inflation gas from the inflator and a distal end configured to release a primary portion of the inflation gas into the cushion. In the event of unintended discharge during shipping or handling, an elongated secondary discharge aperture formed through the sidewall releases to the exterior of the thrust-balancing portion a secondary portion of the inflation gas that imposes thrust on the inflator directed oppositely from thrust imposed by release of the primary portion of the inflation gas stabilizing the inflator during shipping, handling and installation.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventor: Bradley W. Smith
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Publication number: 20110101663Abstract: Vents in inflatable airbags can be used to soften airbags during deployment by allowing inflation gas to exit from the interior of the airbag. Airbag vents can be used in conjunction with vents in an airbag housing and a vent panel that can align with the airbag vent with the housing vent and cover the aperture of the housing vent.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.Inventor: David W. Schneider
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Publication number: 20110101660Abstract: An inflatable knee airbag can have a plurality of inflatable chambers. The inflatable chambers can be formed as independent chambers, rather than a single chamber being divided by an internal tether. The inflatable chambers can be arranged in a serial configuration, wherein the chambers form an āLā shape so that when the airbag is deployed, it conforms to the shape of an instrument panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: David W. Schneider, Michael Joseph Lachat, ChangSoo Choi, Christina R. Morris
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Publication number: 20110088356Abstract: A deployment flap can be used with inflatable airbag to reduce the risk of the airbag getting caught between the instrument panel of a vehicle and an out of position occupant. The manner in which the airbag and deployment flap are folded prior to deployment alters their deployment characteristics, such as trajectory.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.Inventors: Michael Lachat, Anna Libby, Howard Lusk, Jesse Benny, Lucette Bond
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Patent number: 7926844Abstract: Embodiments herein include inflatable cushion airbag assemblies and methods for folding, rolling, and packing an airbag cushion within a housing such that the cushion deploys with predetermined characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Williams, Cheong (Aaron) Chook Ching
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Patent number: 7926843Abstract: An inflator includes a generant chamber that houses a quantity of gas generant. The chamber has a plurality of gas exit holes that are positioned along the length of the generant chamber. A filter is added exterior of the chamber. In fact, the filter may be positioned on the exterior of the generant chamber. Straps may encircle the inflator. The straps are attached to studs that will operate to mount the inflator. The position of the straps may be adjusted and tailored to apportion the amount of inflation gas that is directed into each chamber of a multi-chambered or two-chambered airbag.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Marcus T. Clark, Nyle K. Longhurst, Steven L. Olsen, Patti Quinney
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Patent number: 7930082Abstract: A method for disposing of a pyrotechnic safety device includes providing an electronic control unit having a primary control unit and an auxiliary control unit. The auxiliary control unit includes a safing mode and a scrap mode, and operates in the safing mode in an initial state. The auxiliary control unit is switched from the safing mode to the scrap mode when the primary control unit sends a first predetermined signal. The auxiliary control unit is armed only if it receives a second predetermined signal from the primary control unit while the auxiliary control unit is operating in the scrap mode. The primary control unit sends the first and second predetermined signals to the auxiliary control unit based on signals the primary control unit receives from an external source. The primary control unit then disposes of a pyrotechnic safety device (PSD) by sending a deployment signal to the PSD based on another signal received from the external source.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: David Eiswerth, Ganesh Ram Venkatraman, Jorgen Ingvar Carlsson, Colm Boran
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Publication number: 20110068943Abstract: A safety device for a storage rack can include a length of webbing configured to span across a rear side of the storage rack. A sensor device can be coupled to one end of the webbing and a signaling device can be configured to communicate with the sensor device. The signaling device can include a selectively actuatable alert indicator. The sensor device can be operable to sense an increase in tension in the webbing when an item is placed in a position on the storage rack so as to engage the webbing. The sensor device can generate a signal indicative of the increase in tension and communicate the signal to the signaling device. The signaling device can be operable to actuate the at least one alert indicator responsive to the communicated signal so as to provide an indication of a position of the item relative to the storage rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventor: Wendell C. Lane, JR.
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Publication number: 20110062693Abstract: Lateral and longitudinal internal tethers can be used to restrict an inflatable airbag to a predetermined shape when inflated. A longitudinal tether extends from a rear portion or throat portion of the airbag to a front face. The portion of the front face that cushions an occupant can have a concave or planar shape, depending on the lengths of the lateral and/or longitudinal tethers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.Inventor: Jeffrey D. Williams
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Publication number: 20110057422Abstract: Mounting assemblies can be used to retain an inflatable airbag cushion in a packaged configuration and attach the cushion to a vehicle structure. The mounting assemblies can have a mounting bracket and a wrapping member. The assemblies can also have a connecting member that connects the mounting bracket to the wrapper. The mounting bracket is attached to a vehicle structure and the wrapping member wraps and retains the cushion after it has been rolled and/or folded. During airbag deployment, the wrapping member releases the cushion so that it can be fully inflated and the mounting structure continues to anchor the cushion to the vehicle structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, Inc.Inventors: Blake L. Cheal, Kurt L. Gammill
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Patent number: 7900960Abstract: A deployable inflator that includes a quantity of gas generant. The generant is designed to produce a supply of inflation gas during deployment of the inflator. The inflator includes a first burst disk and a second burst disk. The first and second burst disks are separated by a cavity. The inflator also includes an opening (or multiple openings). During deployment, the inflation gas flows into the cavity via the opening(s) and ruptures the first burst disk to allow inflation gas to escape the inflator. The second burst disk ruptures after the pressure in the cavity drops sufficiently below the pressure on the other side of the second burst disk. This inflator reduces the initial onset rate of deployment.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Lewis, Gregory J. Lang, Brian A. Laubacher
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Publication number: 20110049848Abstract: Inflatable airbag cushions are filled with inflation gas by inflators. The inflators can be coupled in fluid communication with the airbag and are typically mounted within a vehicle structure by a coupling and closing member. The coupling and closing member can be an elongated piece of a flexible material that wraps around an inflator attachment feature on the airbag. The coupling and closing member can also have structures for fixedly attaching the member to a vehicle structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.Inventors: Bryan Walston, Kurt L. Gammill
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Patent number: 7898400Abstract: A system for determining when a vehicle is departing from the current lane. The system includes a processor, an imaging sensor, and an inertial sensor assembly. The imaging sensor is in electrical communication with the processor to provide a vehicle position signal and a preceding lane structure. The inertial sensor assembly is in electrical communication with processor to provide acceleration and rotational information about the vehicle. Based on a combination of the vehicle position, the preceding lane structure, the acceleration information, and the rotational information, the processor generates a warning signal to alert the driver.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Salah Hadi, Stephen Decker
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Publication number: 20110042923Abstract: Inflatable airbag cushions often have modular components attached to them after the main airbag has been manufactured. Such modular components can include external tethers, mounting tabs, mounting assemblies, and fill tubes. Often, these modular components are positioned at predetermined locations on the airbag. Further, the modular components typically have a predetermined orientation. Employing an alignment aperture and at least one landmark on the airbag can allow a modular component to be positioned correctly along at least one axis of the airbag. Landmarks can include seams, edges, folds, and marks, such as ink from printing. Additional apertures, landmarks and/or hardware can be used to assure proper orientation of the modular component on the airbag. The modular component can be coupled to the airbag by stitching.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Hatfield, Blake Cheal
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Patent number: 7891703Abstract: An inflator includes a plate-like retainer that is placed in a pressure container of the inflator for producing gas to be supplied to an airbag. At the center of inflator is formed a fitting section fitted to a tube placed in the pressure container. The tube separates an ignition source and a gas generation agent. At least one pressure release hole is provided on the outer side of the outer periphery of the fitting section. The retainer has a step formed at a portion where the outer periphery of the retainer is in contact with the filter. The retainer and inflator may have simple structures not affecting productivity and reliably preventing gas leakage between the retainer and a filter.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Jianlin Chen, Atsuhiro Arai, Yoji Tasaki
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Patent number: 7887091Abstract: An inflator that includes a quantity of gas generant housed within a chamber. A liquid including at least one of a fuel soluble in the liquid or an oxidizer soluble in the liquid and a piston are housed within another chamber of the inflator. This chamber is sealed. Upon actuation, movement of the piston hydraulically expels the liquid through an opening in the piston such that the liquid contacts the gas formed by combustion of the gas generant and cools the same. The fuel and/or oxidizer in the liquid can react to form additional gas.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Matthew A. Cox, Bradley W. Smith, Robert D. Taylor, Gary K. Lund, Michael P. Jordan
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Publication number: 20110030941Abstract: A relief valve is provided and may include a housing having a first inlet port and a second inlet port. An initiator may be disposed within the housing and an engagement member may be slideably disposed within the housing and may be moveable between a retracted position and an extended position under force of the initiator. The engagement member may include a first bore aligned with the first inlet port in the extended position and a second bore aligned with the second inlet port in the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Brent Parks, Matthew A. Cox, Bradley W. Smith
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Publication number: 20110031725Abstract: The airbag cushion has a passive venting system that remains open or transitions to a closed position depending on the impact of the airbag with an occupant and the position of the occupant. The venting system self closes upon deployment when an occupant is not out of position but remains open when an occupant is out of position. The venting system self closes due to cushion membrane tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Jeffrey D. Williams, John C. Newkirk
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Patent number: 7883108Abstract: An inflator for an airbag is provided. The inflator can include a housing that has a first end and a second end. The inflator can also include a gas generant disposed in the housing that defines a bore. The inflator can include an igniter coupled to the first end of the housing that can ignite the gas generant upon receipt of a signal. The inflator can further include a temporary closure coupled to the second end of the housing that can be opened to provide an exit out of the housing. The ignition of the igniter can generate a shockwave that passes through the bore to open the temporary closure.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Bryce Robinette, Ken Clark