Abstract: Inflatable curtain airbags deploy smoothly with an integrated pillar guide that minimizes interference with a vehicle pillar. The integrated pillar is a thin piece of semi-flexible, semi-rigid material housed in a pocket that is coupled to a curtain airbag.

Abstract: A linear seat belt pretensioner includes a housing with a sealed axial cavity and a piston (52, 152, 232, 352, 452) slidable in the cavity. A gas generator (76, 166, 156, 376, 476) deploys into the axial cavity, thereby propelling the piston outward. Because the axial cavity is well sealed, the arrangement retains the gas pressure upon deployment and is capable of a restart after a partial displacement if additional slack develops. The piston travels by a distance (X) corresponding to the piston travel and shortens the length of seat belt webbing available outside the pretensioner device by twice or thrice the distance (2X). The axial cavity can be sealed with a bladder element, such as a rolling sock (38). Alternatively, the seal may be established by a hollow piston (152) forming a ballistic seal with the wall of the cavity under pressure.

Abstract: A linear seat belt pretensioner (10, 110, 210) has a frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213) and an axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160; 232) rigidly connected to the frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213), a gas generator (20, 120, 220) in fluid communication with the axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160, 232), and a piston (40, 140, 240) movably arranged in the axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160; 232). An actuating profile (42, 142, 242) movable with the piston (40, 140) pulls a length of seat belt webbing (38, 238) into the frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213) that corresponds to twice the piston stroke (D). The pretensioner device having a locking ramp arrangement (66, 70; 266, 290, 292) configured to form a one-way clutch allowing an increase and resisting a reduction of the length of belt webbing (38, 238) received by the pretensioner (10, 110, 210).

Abstract: Tether attachment arrangements for a vehicle airbag cushion and methods for attaching tethers to inflatable cushions are provided. One inflatable cushion assembly includes an inflatable cushion having an interior and a tether disposed within the interior of the inflatable cushion. The tether has at least one portion attached to the interior of the inflatable cushion. The inflatable cushion assembly also includes a circuitous stitching at the portion attaching the tether to the interior of the inflatable cushion.

Abstract: Airbag covers include a covering portion adapted to at least substantially cover a portion of an airbag housing, and a plurality of tabs positioned to extend at least substantially transverse from the covering portion. The plurality of tabs are adapted to be coupled with a portion of an airbag housing. Each tab comprises an opening therein, and at least one tab of the plurality of tabs comprises at least one tear seam. Airbag modules including such covers further comprise a housing including an inflatable cushion and an inflator disposed at least partially therein. The housing comprises a plurality of cover retention components, each including a portion thereof disposed within an opening of a respective tab of the airbag cover. In forming an airbag cover, a covering portion with a plurality of tabs transversely extending therefrom are formed, and at least one tear seam is formed in at least one tab.

Abstract: A side impact system for protection of an occupant of a vehicle includes a vehicle seat bolster forming a seat bolster cavity and an inflatable side airbag. The airbag includes a side panel having an outer portion defining an outer chamber. A tube panel is disposed within the side panel and joined to a seat bolster portion of the side panel. The tube panel defines a seat bolster chamber and has an opening to allow gas to flow from the seat bolster chamber to the outer chamber. The tube panel, the seat bolster portion of the side panel, and the seat bolster chamber remain within the seat bolster cavity when inflated. The seat bolster portion of the side panel contacts an inner side of the seat bolster cavity when the airbag is inflated. An inflator is operable to provide gas to the seat bolster chamber and the outer chamber.

Abstract: Inflatable curtain airbags deploy smoothly with an integrated pillar guide that minimizes interference with a vehicle pillar. The integrated pillar is a thin piece of semi-flexible, semi-rigid material housed in a pocket that is coupled to a curtain airbag.

Abstract: The night vision camera system includes a light, a night vision camera, and a linkage. The night vision camera is attached to the light such that the light and camera maintain a fixed orientation with respect to each other. The light is attached to the linkage and is configured to manipulate the light and night vision camera concurrently. The linkage is attached to the vehicle and extends into the vehicle interior where a handle is provided allowing the user to aim the light and night vision camera from the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: Cover apparatuses for use with airbag modules for facilitating routing of a wire harness away from an attachment point of the airbag module include a body member adapted to at least partially surround a portion of an inflator and an inflatable cushion. At least one stud aperture is positioned in an attachment side of the cover apparatus, and adapted to receive one or more mounting studs therethrough. A plurality of wire apertures are disposed in the cover apparatus away from the attachment side. Each wire aperture of the plurality of wire apertures is adapted to receive a wire harness therethrough. Methods of making inflatable airbag modules includes coupling an inflator with an inflatable cushion, disposing a cover apparatus around at least a portion of the inflatable cushion and inflator, and disposing a wire harness through the plurality of wire apertures in the cover apparatus.

Abstract: An assembly for attaching an emblem onto the front face of an airbag storage enclosure cover has a plurality of attachment posts that project from the back surface of the emblem and extend through the cover from the front face to terminate in free ends remote from the emblem. An attachment backing sheet is positioned against the rear face of the cover, whereby the attachment posts also extend through the attachment backing sheet with the free end of each positioned on the side of the attachment backing sheet opposite from the cover. A plurality of radially-enlarged attachment nuggets are formed or joined individually in a one-to-one association to the free end of the attachment posts, and each of the attachment nuggets is secured to the backing sheet in proximity to the associated attachment post. The attachment backing sheet thus tethers each of the attachment nuggets to the cover in the event of the mechanical failure of an associated attachment post.

Abstract: A closure structure for the relief aperture of an airbag cushion inflator includes a closure core having outer and inner surfaces that is disposable into the relief aperture from the exterior of the inflator to fill the relief aperture. A sealing flange continuously secured to the periphery of the outer surface of the closure core abuts the outer surface of the inflator. A temperature-sensitive venting window formed in the closure core precludes the passage of pressurized inflation gas during a predetermined first ambient temperature condition and opens to emit pressurized inflation gas during a second hotter ambient temperature condition. The venting window includes a venting passageway extending between the inner and the outer surfaces the closure core sealingly traversed by a relatively thin venting membrane made of a temperature-sensitive material exhibiting less structural robustness at the second ambient temperature condition than at the first ambient temperature condition.

Abstract: A system and method for determining when to deploy a vehicle safety system includes a processor and inertial sensor. The inertial sensor has a filtered output and an unfiltered or lightly filtered output. The unfiltered or lightly filtered output is in communication with the processor and provides inertial information relating to the vehicle. The filtered output of the inertial sensor is in communication with a vehicle stability control system. The processor is further configured to monitor the unfiltered or lightly filtered output of the inertial sensor and determine if the inertial information indicates that the vehicle has been involved in a collision. If the vehicle has been involved in a collision, the processor is configured to deploy a vehicle safety system.

Abstract: Airbag covers include a covering portion adapted to at least substantially cover a portion of an airbag housing, and a plurality of tabs positioned to extend at least substantially transverse from the covering portion. The plurality of tabs are adapted to be coupled with a portion of an airbag housing. Each tab comprises an opening therein, and at least one tab of the plurality of tabs comprises at least one tear seam. Airbag modules including such covers further comprise a housing including an inflatable cushion and an inflator disposed at least partially therein. The housing comprises a plurality of cover retention components, each including a portion thereof disposed within an opening of a respective tab of the airbag cover. In forming an airbag cover, a covering portion with a plurality of tabs transversely extending therefrom are formed, and at least one tear seam is formed in at least one tab.

Abstract: An airbag assembly can include a housing and an airbag cushion within the housing in a packaged state. The airbag cushion can include a rolled region and an accordion fold. The rolled region and the accordion fold can be positioned within the housing so as to provide a desired trajectory when the airbag cushion is inflated.

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.

Abstract: Components adapted for use in an article of clothing, and articles of clothing including such components, include a woven fabric comprising at least one multi-layered region and at least one single-layered region. The at least one multi-layered region can comprise a first woven fabric layer and a second woven fabric layer that is opposite from the first woven fabric layer, where the first and second woven fabric layers are separated from each other. The at least one multi-layered region and the at least one single-layered region can be weaved from the same sets of warps and wefts to form an integral fabric. Methods of making an item of apparel include forming a woven fabric comprising at least one multi-layered region and at least one single-layered region weaved from the same sets of warps and wefts, and cutting the woven fabric along a predetermined pattern to form one or more components.

Abstract: A depth to which an inflatable airbag can deploy may varied by internal tethers. If the tethers are coupled to a release assembly, then in an unreleased state, the tethers can limit the depth of airbag deployment; however, if the tethers are released, the airbag can deploy of a full depth.

Abstract: Heat shields are used to shield an airbag from hot gasses issuing from an inflator. The heat shields can be a piece of thin metal that is coupled to the airbag cushion or the inflator. The heat shield can be held in place by being attached or coupled to the airbag and/or the inflator.

Abstract: Flangeless inflators include a body comprising a base member and a diffuser member coupled together, where the body is devoid of a lateral inflator-coupling flange. At least one fastener is coupled to the base member of the body. In an inflatable airbag system, the flangeless inflator is coupled to an airbag cushion, as well as to a steering wheel armature. In forming flangeless inflators, a body is formed that is devoid of the lateral inflator-coupling flange, and at least one fastener is attached to the body.

Abstract: 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.