Abstract: An airbag assembly for a motor vehicle includes an inflatable airbag and a reinforcing wrapper. The inflatable airbag has a longitudinally extending axis and is rolled about a rotation axis in the stowed condition. The reinforcing wrapper is coupled to the inflatable airbag proximate a first longitudinally extending side of the inflatable airbag, rolled about the rotation axis and wrapped entirely around at least a first portion of the inflatable airbag. The inflatable airbag and the reinforcing wrapper cooperative to define a monotonously rolled portion of the airbag assembly. In certain applications, the reinforcing wrapper is secured to a tab used to hang the inflatable airbag in the motor vehicle.

Abstract: Airbag cushion wrappers and related airbag cushion assemblies and methods. In some embodiments, an airbag cushion assembly may comprise an airbag cushion in a folded configuration, a plurality of studs, which may extend from a retainer ring, and a compression wrapper wrapped around the airbag cushion. The compression wrapper may comprise a plurality of vertical straps coupled with the plurality of studs. Each of the plurality of vertical straps may extend along and compress a corner region of the airbag cushion to reshape the airbag cushion. In some embodiments, a radial strap may extend between each adjacent vertical strap of the compression wrapper.

Abstract: Seatbelt assemblies for motor vehicle occupant restraint providing enhanced frontal impact restraint characteristics. Embodiments illustrated a displacement of the intersection positioned between the lap and shoulder belt portions of an active three-point type belt system. In one set of embodiments particularly useful with dual retractor systems, adaptive positioning provisions allow the point of intersection to initially occur at or near the seatbelt latch plate and when a restraint load occurs components release to allow repositioning of the intersection. In other embodiments best implemented in single retractor systems, a turning loop is provided which displaces the webbing slot separating the lap and shoulder belt sections from the buckle latch plate.

Abstract: Airbag cushion assemblies for aspirating ambient air to enhance inflation. Some embodiments may comprise an inflation module comprising an inflator and a plurality of inflation nozzles fluidly coupled with the inflator and configured to deliver inflation gas from the inflator into an airbag cushion. A housing coupled to the airbag cushion may comprise an aspiration inlet configured to allow for receipt of ambient air into the airbag cushion during inflation of the airbag cushion. The plurality of inflation nozzles may be configured to, upon actuation of the inflator, draw ambient air into the airbag cushion along with the inflation gas from the inflator. In some embodiments, a valve assembly may be positioned below the inflation nozzles and may be configured to automatically open upon actuation of the inflator and to automatically close during or following inflation of the airbag cushion.

Abstract: A method includes sensing when a seat is at a first location in a vehicle, and controlling an occupant restraint system of the vehicle in a first manner based on the seat being at the first location in the vehicle. The method further includes sensing when the seat is at a second location in the vehicle, and controlling the occupant restraint system of the vehicle in a second manner based on the seat being at the second location in the vehicle. A system receives data indicating a location of seats in a vehicle and operates an occupant restraint system for the seats using a first set of parameters when the data indicates that a first seat is at a first location, and operates the occupant restraint system for the first seat using a second set of parameters when the data indicates that the first seat is at a second location.

Abstract: Airbag cushions and related assemblies configured to protect the lower extremities of a driver by deploying about the contours of a steering column shroud. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise an inflatable cushion configured to be deployed adjacent to a vehicle steering column to provide protection to a driver's lower extremities during an impact event. The cushion may comprise a primary inflation chamber, a first supplemental inflation chamber fluidly coupled with the primary inflation chamber and configured to deploy on a left side of the vehicle steering column adjacent to the driver's left lower extremity, and a second supplemental inflation chamber fluidly coupled with the primary inflation chamber and configured to deploy on a right side of the vehicle steering column adjacent to the driver's right lower extremity.

Abstract: An airbag assembly for a motor vehicle includes an inflatable airbag, a tether, and at least one guide member. The tether controls deployment of the inflatable airbag. The tether has a fixed length between a first end and a second end. The at least one guide member slidably receives the tether such that the tether has a first adjustable length portion between the first end and the at least one guide member and the tether has a second adjustable length portion between the second end and the at least one guide member.

Abstract: A surrounding inflatable airbag assembly configured to deploy for a seat back of a vehicle is disclosed. Inflatable airbag assemblies may provide protection for an occupant in a vehicle collision event. In a collision event, or other event producing forward and/or lateral movement of the occupant relative to the vehicle, the disclosed inflatable airbag assembly may receive and support the occupant during ride down so as to prevent or minimize injury resulting from impact with a vehicle structure disposed forward or lateral to a vehicle seating position. The disclosed airbag may deploy from the seat back including a head back portion. During deployment, a front portion of the airbag may extend up and over the head of the occupant and further extend forward and downward in front of the vehicle seating position.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a vehicle is provided. The seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly includes a housing adapted for being mounted to a frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having an arcuate and curved shape, a sprocket rotatably mounted to the housing and fixedly coupled to a spindle, a rod disposed within the tube and a guide plate having a guide portion and a rod guide. The rod exits the tube along a perimeter of the sprocket, and toward an arcuate landing surface of the guide portion. In addition, the guide plate further includes a couple of tabs and ribs for avoiding rattling of the pretensioner tube in normal use of the retractor assembly.

Abstract: Cool burning gas generant compositions for an automotive inflatable restraint system are provided that include a bismuth-containing compound selected from the group consisting of: bismuth citrate, bismuth subsalicylate, bismuth hydroxide, copper bismuth hydroxy nitrate, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth suboxalate, and combinations thereof. The gas generant comprises at least one copper-containing component. The gas generant includes at least one oxidizer, fuel, and optional coolant. The maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc) of less than or equal to about 1700K (1,427° C.). The cool burning gas generant composition generates liquid phase combustion products making it suitable for use in a filterless inflatable restraint system. Copper and bismuth present in the cool burning gas generant composition react to form an alloy having a melting point at or near the maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc).

Abstract: A gas generant composition for an automotive inflatable restraint system includes one or more: fuels, such as guanidine nitrate; oxidizers, such as basic copper nitrate; and an alkaline earth zirconium oxide. The gas generant composition is substantially free of potassium perchlorate. The alkaline earth zirconium oxide may be barium zirconate (BaZrO3), calcium zirconate (CaZrO3), and/or strontium zirconate (SrZrO3). The alkaline earth zirconium oxide may be present at ?about 0.1% by mass to ?about 6% by mass of the gas generant composition. Such gas generants may be cool burning (e.g., a maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc) of ?about 1700K (1,427° C.)), have a linear burn rate of ?about 20 mm per second at a pressure of about 21 MPa and a linear burn rate pressure exponent (n) of ?about 0.35. Method of making such gas generants are also provided.

Abstract: Airbag cushion assemblies for aspirating ambient air and related assemblies, methods, and components. Some embodiments may comprise an aspirating airbag cushion assembly comprising an airbag cushion housing, an aspiration housing coupled to the airbag cushion housing and comprising an aspiration inlet configured to allow for receipt of ambient air into an airbag cushion, and an inflation module slidably coupled to the aspiration housing. The inflation module may comprise an inflator and one or more inflation tubes or other conduits fluidly coupled with the inflator and configured to deliver inflation gas from the inflator into the airbag cushion.

Abstract: An igniter composition has (i) a source of copper selected from basic copper nitrate, copper oxide, copper hydroxide, and/or copper complex of guanylurea nitrate, (ii) one or more oxidizers, (iii) a binder selected from guanidine nitrate and/or guanylurea nitrate, and (iv) an inorganic fuel comprising an elemental metal or metal hydride selected from the group consisting of: titanium, silicon, aluminum, magnesium, iron, and combinations thereof. The igniter composition may be substantially free of boron or contain minimal amounts of boron. A minimum flame temperature at combustion (Tc) of ?about 2300K (2,027° C.). Such a mixture may be spray dried to form a powder that is compacted to form a solid igniter composition, such as a pellet or grain. The mixture that is spray dried may have a heat of explosion (HEX) of ?about 1,000 calories per gram (cal/g). Inorganic fuel can then be added to the spray-dried powder.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a vehicle is provided. The seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly includes a housing adapted for being mounted to a frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having an arcuate and curved shape, a sprocket rotatably mounted to the housing and fixedly coupled to a spindle, a polymer rod disposed within the tube and a guide plate having a guide portion and a rod guide. The polymer rod exits the tube along a perimeter of the sprocket, and toward an arcuate landing surface of the guide portion. In addition, the rod guide is configured for preventing the polymer rod from trapping before engaging with the sprocket or after pretensioning.

Abstract: An initiator assembly for an automotive safety device includes a tubular housing with a first end and a second end. A cruciform formed in the second end of the tubular housing is designed to open when the initiator fires. A pyrotechnic load is disposed within the tubular housing at the second end, the pyrotechnic load is formed to define a void comprising an open end and a tip. The void includes sides that extend from the open end to the tip and angle toward the second end of the tubular housing and angle toward a longitudinal axis of the tubular housing. The sides of the void can transition into a tip portion of the void that comprises a geometry distinct from that of the sides.

Abstract: A side inflatable airbag assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. Inflatable airbag assemblies may provide protection for an occupant in a vehicle collision event. In a side collision event, or other event producing lateral movement of the occupant relative to the vehicle, the disclosed inflatable airbag assembly may receive and support the occupant during ride down so as to prevent or minimize injury resulting from impact with a vehicle door, sidewall, center console, or other vehicle structure disposed lateral to the vehicle seating position. The disclosed airbag may differentially support the occupant by providing varied degrees of support for the shoulder, pelvis, and torso, which may be particularly beneficial to an elderly occupant whose bones may be more susceptible to some injury types and modes as a result of age-incident health issues.

Abstract: An inflatable knee airbag having a flexible housing is disclosed. An inflatable knee airbag may provide protection for the lower anatomy of an occupant in a vehicle collision event. The disclosed inflatable knee airbag may include components, such as the inflatable airbag cushion, inflator, etc., within a flexible housing supported by a rigid or semi-rigid mounting plate. The flexible housing may conform to the shape of enclosed components, and may support and protect the enclosed components. The flexible housing may be lighter and more cost-effective than conventional housing methods.

Abstract: Airbag covers having emblems and related methods. In some implementations, a fastening member comprising an elongated axis may be inserted through an opening formed within an airbag cover. The fastening member may comprise a cross-sectional shape that is substantially smaller in area along at least a portion of the fastening member than a cross-sectional shape of the opening adjacent to the fastening member such that open space is left between the fastening member and a portion of the airbag cover defining the opening. The fastening member may then be reshaped such that the cross-sectional shape of the fastening member within the opening changes to decrease the open space and secure the emblem to the airbag cover.

Abstract: A gas generant composition for passive inflatable restraint systems (e.g., airbags) for automobiles is provided that comprises a melamine oxalate compound. The gas generant may be a cool burning gas generant composition that comprises a melamine oxalate compound, a co-fuel, such as guanidine nitrate, and an oxidizer, such as basic copper nitrate. The gas generant composition has advantageous combustion properties, including a maximum flame temperature at combustion (Tc) of ?about 1700 K (1,427° C.), a linear burn rate of ?about 18 mm per second at a pressure of about 10 megapascals (MPa), a gas yield of the gas generant composition of ?about 5.7 moles/100 cm3, and a linear burn rate pressure exponent of ?about 0.35.

Abstract: Cool burning hydrate fuels are provided for gas generant compositions for automotive inflatable restraint systems. The cool burning hydrate fuel is a compound comprising carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, a transition metal, and optionally nitrogen. The cool burning hydrate fuel is a transition metal salt of an organic compound or transition metal complex salt having (i) at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of: amide, imide, hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, and combinations thereof, (ii) an oxygen-to-carbon mole ratio of greater than or equal to about 0.5, (iii) at least one-half a water molecule of hydration, and (iv) an exothermic heat of formation of at least about ?400 KJ/mole. The fuel may have a water release temperature of ?about 140° C. The cool burning hydrate fuel may be one or more of copper cyanurate dihydrate, a copper melamine oxalate dihydrate, and a copper malonate hydrate.