Abstract: An airbag integrated into a belt portion of a seat belt assembly for a motor vehicle seat belt system. The seat belt assembly includes seat belt webbing forming the lap belt portion and a shoulder belt portion and a spool assembly engaging the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt webbing. The seat belt assembly incorporates a gas driven pretensioner system incorporating at least one gas generator connected to the spool assembly and the belt airbag.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag cushion assembly with a release device, at least one vehicle sensor, at least one vent strap, and at lest one dynamic vent. The vent strap, release device, and dynamic vent operate together such that the vent can adopt at least two configurations, with one of the configurations venting less inflation gas than the other.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to gas generants used in inflatable restraint systems. The gas generant grains formed via spray drying techniques of the present disclosure provide superior performance, including high burn rates and high gas yields. Further, processing of the gas generant grain products can be streamlined. Such gas generants include by way of non-limiting example, guanidine nitrate, basic copper nitrate, and a secondary oxidizer, such as potassium perchlorate.

Abstract: A lockout system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system can include a source of input that identifies a status of a driver of the motor vehicle. The system can further include a source of passenger input that indicates if at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle. The system can also include a lockout control module operable to disable the operation of the motor vehicle if at least one passenger is present in the motor vehicle, based on the status of the driver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for determining a relative velocity between a host (100) and a target (102). The present invention relates in particular to a method of the type that can be used in motor vehicle radar systems and specifically in radar systems of the type that detect obstacles in a blind spot of a motor vehicle. In the method according to the invention the following steps are carried out: substantially simultaneously determining a value for a radial velocity and a bearing with regard to a predefined spatial direction for a large number of measurement points (106) on the target (102); calculating a large number of quotients from the radial velocity and the cosine of the associated bearing, a quotient being calculated for each of the measurement points (106); determining an estimated relative velocity between the host (100) and the target (102) by forming an average of the large number of quotients.

Abstract: A new type of mounting system that may be used to mount an inflatable curtain airbag to a vehicle is described herein. This mounting system uses a “P-type” mounting bracket, which is designed such that the all (or substantially all) of the rolled inflatable curtain will be positioned above the bracket. An energy absorbing member is also associated with the P-type mounting bracket. When the inflatable curtain is in the rolled configuration, the energy absorbing member will engage the inflatable curtain. The energy member will also deform and absorb energy when the inflatable curtain is deployed from the rolled configuration into the deployed configuration. The mounting bracket may also include a curved arm that engages the inflatable curtain in the rolled configuration. The curved arm may be designed such that deployment of the inflatable curtain into the deployed configuration deforms the curved arm.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes at least one closeable vent for re-directing gas out of the cushion when an obstruction is encountered.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes at least one gas deflector which directs gas to a closeable vent to allow gas to be vented out of the cushion when an obstruction is encountered.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of hinge devices for use in hood lifting systems for pedestrian protection. An exemplary embodiment of such a hinge device includes an upper hinge portion configured to be connected with a vehicle hood and a lower hinge portion configured to be connected with a vehicle body. The upper hinge portion may be configured to releasably engage the lower hinge portion such that the upper hinge portion can disengage from the lower hinge portion and lift the vehicle hood upon a threshold separation force being applied to the hinge device.

Abstract: An inflator device for inflating an inflatable cushion of an inflatable cushion restraint system. The inflator device includes a reaction housing defining a reaction chamber containing a supply of gas generant material. An initiator device is connected to the reaction housing and is in reaction initiating communication with the supply of gas generant material. A filter housing is disposed around at least a portion of the reaction housing and at least in part defines a filter chamber. The filter housing includes an annular discharge opening. The produced inflation gas discharges from the filter housing to the inflatable cushion through the annular discharge opening. A filter is disposed in the filter chamber and external of the reaction housing.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion assembly for deployment in a vehicle. The assembly has an inflator, an inflatable cushion, and particles of a stop leak material. Upon deployment, the stop leak material becomes temporarily dispersed by and suspended in inflation gas such that the cushion is rendered less porous to inflation gas.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag cushion assembly with a release device for electronic communication with a sensor in a vehicle. The cushion assumes two different configurations depending on the occupant's position. The configurations are achieved via tethers along with closeable vent(s) to control cushion pressure.

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.

Abstract: An inflatable curtain cushion assembly for side deployment in a vehicle. The assembly has an inflator and an inflatable curtain cushion with two chambers, wherein the first chamber vents inflation gas more quickly than the second chamber.

Abstract: A retractor includes a pretensioner whereby increased control and variation over the load limitation characteristics of the retractor are provided. The seat belt and spool are linked to a locking mechanism through a first force limiting element, while the pretensioner is linked to the seat belt and spool through a second force limiting element. Both the first and second force limiting elements are employed during a load limiting phase of the retractor.

Abstract: An airbag module is provided with a means for securing a leadwire. In one embodiment, the means for securing a leadwire comprises at least one self-closing leadwire clip for securing the leadwire within an airbag housing. As the cover of the airbag housing is closed, the self-closing clip(s) close and secure the leadwire in place.

Abstract: A vehicle sensitive retractor control system having reduced sensitivity to Z-axis acceleration experienced during normal driving. The retractor control system incorporates a rolling mass and a locking lever which, in a resting position, are arranged such that the locking lever does not engage a ratchet wheel of a seat belt retractor spool. In response to accelerations in the horizontal plane, the rolling ball mass becomes unseated from its resting position and engages the locking lever, causing it to pivot and lock the retractor. In response to Z-axis acceleration, the rolling mass is prevented from contacting the locking lever by a mass restrictor. A soft damping spring is also provided to bias the locking lever against a lever rest. The spring is sized to overcome the inertia of the locking lever and prevent it from “bouncing up” and engaging the ratchet wheel in response to Z-axis accelerations.

Abstract: An airbag module including a module housing and cover is disclosed. The cover may include a molded-in channel to engage a flange extending from the module housing. The interaction between the channel and flange permit limited movement of the cover with respect to the module housing. The airbag module may further include hook and window engagement mechanisms as well as locking tab and window engagement mechanisms to couple the cover to the housing.

Abstract: A modular inflator device for inflating an inflatable cushion of an inflatable cushion restraint system. The inflator device has an elongated cylindrical configuration and includes a supply of gas generant material to produce inflation gas upon reaction initiation. The inflator device includes a reaction housing defining a reaction chamber containing the supply of gas generant material. An initiator device is connected to the reaction housing and in reaction initiating communication with the supply of gas generant material. The reaction housing includes a plurality of radially oriented chamber discharge openings. Upon reaction initiation of the supply of gas generant material, the inflation gas discharges from the reaction chamber through the discharge openings. An initiator diffuser is disposed between the initiator device and the supply of gas generant material.