Patents Assigned to Autoliv ASP, Inc.
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE DYNAMIC CALIBRATION OF STEREOVISION CAMERAS
    Publication number: 20100208034
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides a method of performing dynamic calibration of a stereo vision system using a specific stereo disparity algorithm adapted to provide for the determination of disparity in two dimensions, X and Y. In one embodiment of the present invention, an X/Y disparity map may be calculated using this algorithm without having to perform pre-warping or first finding the epipolar directions. Thus information related to camera misalignment and/or distortion can be preserved in the resulting X/Y disparity map and later extracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventor: Tie-Qi Chen
  • Airbag adaptive venting for out-of-position occupants
    Patent number: 7770926
    Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed for use in an automobile. The disclosed airbag assembly adaptively vents gas from the interior of the airbag depending on whether an obstruction is encountered during airbag deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Schneider, Larry D. Rose
  • Liquid cooled hybrid
    Patent number: 7770924
    Abstract: An inflator that includes a quantity of gas generant housed within a chamber. A liquid and a piston are also housed within another chamber. This chamber is sealed by a burst disk. The piston includes an opening. During deployment of the inflator, the burst disk is ruptured and the piston moves towards the distal end of the inflator. The movement of the piston hydraulically expels the liquid through the opening in the piston such that the liquid cools and contacts the gas formed by combustion of the gas generant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Cox, Bradley W. Smith, David W. Parkinson, Brent A. Parks
  • Inflatable curtain venting
    Patent number: 7770917
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of apparatus, methods, and systems for inflatable curtain venting. In one embodiment, an inflatable curtain airbag is tested using a 50th-percentile dummy. The inflatable curtain airbag comprises a vent opening positioned such that during the crash test, the head of the 50th-percentile dummy strikes the airbag at the location of the vent such that the exit of inflation gas through the vent is at least partially blocked. The same inflatable curtain airbag may then be used in a test involving a 5th-percentile dummy, in which case the head of the 5th-percentile dummy would not strike the airbag so as to block the vent, thereby allowing for venting of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David Henderson, Kurt Petersen, Jeffrey D. Williams
  • Double weft/warp airbag fabric and related airbags and manufacturing methods
    Patent number: 7770607
    Abstract: A double yarn airbag fabric is disclosed, which may include an inflatable fabric portion, comprising multiple first yarns that form multiple sets of first yarns, and multiple second yarns. At least two sets of first yarns are alternately woven around at least two adjacent second yarns at each weave. The result of weaving are two opposing woven fabric layers formed from two pairs of the alternating second yarn sets, such that a space to be inflated is formed between the two opposing fabric layers. The two opposing fabric layers may be formed in a continuous weaving process. The fabric also includes a non-inflatable fabric portion by alternately weaving two pairs of alternating first yarn sets around two adjacent second yarns at each weave, to form a single, woven fabric layer. The multiple first yarns may include warp yarns and the multiple second yarns may include weft yarns, or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Coleman, Altay Nihat Kismir
  • Passenger airbag mounting apparatus
    Patent number: 7770914
    Abstract: An airbag assembly is described. The airbag assembly includes an airbag housed within an airbag housing and an airbag inflator. A B-ring that engages the airbag housing is also added. The B-ring comprises a base surface, a first stabilizing bracket and a second stabilizing bracket, wherein the first and second stabilizing brackets extend away from the base surface and restrict movement of the airbag housing in a lateral and vertical direction. The airbag assembly may optionally include a vehicle bracket that is capable of being attached to a vehicle structure. The second stabilizing bracket may be secured to the vehicle bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Conrad Dumbrique
  • Airbag protection flap
    Patent number: 7770925
    Abstract: An airbag assembly comprising an airbag cushion, a deployment flap and an extension flap attached to the deployment flap, is disclosed. The deployment flap is configured to protect the airbag cushion as it deploys from the module housing. The extension flap is configured to position the airbag cushion during deployment. In some embodiments, the airbag assembly may also include a cinch tube arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Seymour, Michael Lachat, Larry D. Rose
  • Cushion and housing vents for inflatable cushion airbags
    Patent number: 7770922
    Abstract: An airbag assembly comprising a housing with an inflatable airbag cushion disposed therein and at least one vent aperture attached to the inflatable airbag cushion, wherein during inflatable airbag cushion deployment with an obstruction, the at least one vent aperture remains open, and during inflatable airbag cushion deployment without an obstruction, the at least one vent aperture at least partially closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Schneider, ChangSoo Choi
  • Ejection mitigation device
    Patent number: 7762579
    Abstract: An airbag system for protecting a passenger in a motor vehicle including one or more ejection mitigation devices configured to substantially cover the inside of the front and/or rear window of the motor vehicle. Moreover, the one or more ejection mitigation devices may be attached to a driver's side inflatable airbag and a passenger's side inflatable airbag, wherein the ejection mitigation device is configured to be deployed by the inflation of the driver's and passenger's side inflatable airbags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Brett Garner
  • Monolithic gas generant grains
    Patent number: 7758709
    Abstract: A gas generant for an inflatable restraint device (for example, an airbag system for a vehicle) is a monolithic compressed solid that has a linear burn rate of greater than or equal to about 1.6 inches per second at a pressure of about 3,000 pounds per square inch. The gas generant can be in the form of an annular disk having a plurality of apertures. The gas generant may be substantially free of binder and may have a low initial surface area which progressively increases during burning. The gas generant provides a gas generation profile that improves restraint of vehicle occupants, including those occupants that are out-of-position. Additionally, the shaped gas generant decreases occupant exposure to toxic effluent combustion products and solid respirable particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Hussey, Ivan Mendenhall, Roger Bradford
  • Knee airbag and restraint system for suppressing deployment of head/torso airbag
    Patent number: 7758069
    Abstract: A restraint system that evaluates factors such the type of collision an automotive vehicle is experiencing and then, based on that evaluation, deploys a knee airbag and/or a head/torso airbag. A knee airbag is also disclosed with an upper portion and a lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark L. Enders
  • Frequency multiplier
    Patent number: 7759988
    Abstract: A frequency multiplier is provided that includes a switching component having a plurality of differential pairs of transistors. The frequency multiplier further includes a gain stage. A common mode feedback generated by the switching component is also provided to the gain stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Yumin Lu, Robert Ian Gresham
  • HIGH PERFORMANCE TIGHTENER
    Publication number: 20100176236
    Abstract: A self stopping seat belt retractor is provided with a spindle for winding a seat belt thereonto and unwinding a wound seat belt therefrom and a housing rotatably supporting the spindle and having a locking device that includes a locking means for the spindle that can be controlled in a vehicle sensitive and/or belt sensitive manner into engagement with a toothed gearing system on the side of the housing. A tightening device operating on the spindle includes a drive wheel, which is, prior to the release of the tightening device, secured in a force-transmitting manner on the housing, is connectable upon release of the tightening device with the spindle, whereby the drive wheel of the tightening device is connectable via the locking device with the spindle for the transmission of force to the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: GUNTER CLUTE, Jon E. Burrow
  • Device for protecting an inflatable element
    Patent number: 7748739
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a device for protecting the cushion material of an inflatable element from inflator gases and particulate matter. The device along with an inflator and an airbag may be placed in a housing. The device includes a first strip and a second strip. Each of the first strip and second strip includes at least one opening. Each of the openings are surrounded by a plurality of holes. The second strip may be placed above the first strip in a suitable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Kristy Brinker
  • Airbag cover tear seam
    Patent number: 7748732
    Abstract: An tear seam in a cover of an airbag includes multiple, non-intersecting slits defined in a fabric of the cover that may be woven with weft yarns oriented generally parallel to a longitudinal axis and warp yarns oriented generally transverse thereto. The multiple slits are diagonal with respect to the longitudinal axis and include end portions. The end portions of substantially all adjacent slits mutually overlap, to weaken the strength of the fabric along the tear seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Sella, Beth Hoffmann, Mike Kutchey
  • Airbag cushion with adaptive diffuser for out-of-position conditions
    Patent number: 7748738
    Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a diffuser tethered to the membrane of the cushion. The airbag cushion partially expands when an obstruction is encountered and fully expands when no obstruction is encountered. The tethered diffuser is controlled by expansion of the cushion. This permits the cushion to vary the amount of gas vented from the cushion to adjust for out-of-position conditions and normal restraint conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Schneider
  • Spool tensioning device for airbag installation
    Patent number: 7748741
    Abstract: An airbag assembly comprises a tensioning mechanism including a clutch is disclosed. The tensioning mechanism maintains the airbag in a desired position upon installation. In one embodiment, an inflatable curtain is coupled to a spool clutch and fastener via a tether to provide tension along the longitudinal mounting surface of the inflatable curtain during its installation adjacent the vehicle roof rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Abraham J. Mitchell, Kurt Gammill
  • Airbag cushion folding method for out-of-position conditions
    Patent number: 7735862
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of methods of folding an inflatable airbag cushion for storage within a vehicle. In one implementation of the inventive method, the folding of the airbag cushion creates a first arm and a second arm, the first arm folded on top of the second arm, such that during deployment of the airbag cushion with an obstruction, the first arm is configured to contact an obstruction before completely unfolding and thereby at least partially biasing the deployment of the airbag cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc
    Inventor: Changsoo Choi
  • Pyrotechnic actuator for retracting a piston
    Patent number: 7735405
    Abstract: A safety arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a pyrotechnic actuator for retracting a hinge pin of a vehicle hood. The pyrotechnic actuator includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and further includes a first end defining an opening. The pyrotechnic actuator additionally includes a piston disposed in the housing for movement along the longitudinal axis between an extended position and a retracted position. The piston carries the pin. The pin at least partially extends from the housing in the extended position. The piston includes a base portion defining a combustion chamber. The pyrotechnic actuator further includes a pyrotechnic charge disposed in the combustion chamber for producing a combustion gas operative to move the piston from the extended position to the retracted position. The combustion chamber is defined by a thin walled member that is sealed to contain the ballistic event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent Parks
  • Ejection mitigation panel
    Patent number: 7735863
    Abstract: An ejection mitigation system for use in a motor vehicle including one or more inflatable airbags and at least one ejection mitigation panel which is not integral with an inflatable airbag and wherein the ejection mitigation panel is attached to at least one point below the belt line of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Walston, Kurt Gammill, James E. Nelson