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: Disclosed are embodiments of airbag cushions including diffuser panels to redirect inflation gas within the cushion. In an embodiment particularly suited for use as a knee airbag cushion, a diffuser panel is positioned over the inflator opening and in between the front and rear faces of an airbag cushion panel. The diffuser panel defines a plurality of channels such that, upon inflation of the airbag cushion through the inflator opening, the channels redirect inflation gas towards the top corners and sides of the interior of the airbag cushion.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An inflator assembly is disclosed for use in an automobile. The inflator assembly features a slide-on housing around an inflator.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag cushion assembly with a release device and a release device mounting bracket. The release device is in electronic communication with at least one sensor in a vehicle and is configured to release one or more active vent tethers or airbag restraining tethers.

Abstract: An airbag cushion has two chambers to permit the front chamber to inflate less rapidly than the back chamber for cushioning the head of an occupant in a vehicle with less force than the chest of an occupant is cushioned by the back chamber. The front chamber has at least one safety vent.

Abstract: 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 “L” shape so that when the airbag is deployed, it conforms to the shape of an instrument panel.

Abstract: 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.

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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

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: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.