Patents Assigned to Autoliv Development AB
  • Patent number: 11279316
    Abstract: An airbag cushion, which expands and deploys between adjacent seats in a passenger compartment, comprising a top panel and bottom panel that are separated and face each other vertically when deployed, side panels connecting the edges of the top panel and the bottom panel, a protruding part that protrudes upward from the top panel, a cylindrical inflator attached along the inner surface of the side panel on the side of the protruding part is stowed in a folded state by overlaying the top panel and the side panel provided with the attachment part of the inflator, and lining up a first roll part which is the protruding part rolled up, a fold-back part which is the first side part folded back to cover the attachment part of the inflator, and a second roll part on top of the top panel with the second roll part in the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Shimono, Yuto Kobayashi, Tsutomu Sakurai
  • Patent number: 11273786
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with at least one first seat (10) and at least one second seat (12) is described. The second seat (12) is located rear of the first seat (10) and the first seat has one position of operation in which it faces the second seat (12). An air-bag module with an inflatable airbag device (20) being positioned between the first seat (10) and the second seat (12) when in its fully deployed state is provided. Said inflatable airbag device (20) has a first impact surface (22) pointing towards the first seat (10), a second impact surface (24) pointing towards the sec- and seat (12), a main support surface (26) adjacent to or abutting a structural element of the vehicle, and a connecting surface (28) remote from the support surface (26) and extending between the impact surfaces (22, 24). Especially in order to improve the deployment behaviour, the connecting surface (28) is at least partially concave, such that a recess (R) is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Martin Ostling, Christer Lundgren
  • Patent number: 11267424
    Abstract: Problem: To provide a damper mechanism of a steering wheel and a steering wheel apparatus for a vehicle in which it is possible to ensure a damping effect comparable to that of the known art and to decrease an airbag module in size so as to achieve a reduction in cost. Solution: A damper mechanism of a steering wheel includes: two damper units 11 that are provided between a steering wheel 1 and an airbag module 2 functioning as a damper mass and damp vibration of the steering wheel; and an engaging mechanism (hook of a plate-shaped damper 18) that is provided in parallel with the damper unit, between the steering wheel and the airbag module, and holds the steering wheel and the airbag module in a relatively displaceable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Yutaka Hirota, Kazuhiro Abe, Hiroyoshi Shimono
  • Patent number: 11267433
    Abstract: The airbag is provided with a main chamber that deploys toward the front of the vehicle and a pre-chamber that houses the inflator and begins to deploy ahead of the main chamber in the vehicle width direction to the inside of the main chamber. Here, the main chamber is demarcated into a front region and a rear region by a demarcation. The boundary area between the main chamber and the pre-chamber is provided with a front vent that directs the expanding gas from the pre-chamber to the pre-chamber front area and a rear vent that directs the gas to the rear region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Yuto Kobayashi, Tsutomu Sakurai
  • Patent number: 11260824
    Abstract: A throat and fill tube protection device for an inflatable airbag includes a first portion, a second portion and an overlapping region. The first portion is a generally Y-shaped portion with a first arm and a second arm connected at a base. The first arm defines an inlet for receiving an inflator. The second arm defines a first channel for directing a first portion of the inflation gases in a first direction. The second portion defines a second channel for directing a second portion of the inflation gases in a second direction. The second direction is generally opposite the first direction. The overlapping region is cooperatively defined by first and second overlapping areas of the first and second portions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Kurt Gammill, Jeffrey Low
  • Patent number: 11260819
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus equipped in a vehicle seat having a seat cushion that forms a seating surface and a seat back that forms a backrest includes: an inflator that generates inflation gas; and an airbag housed within at least the seat back and deployed by inflation gas released from the inflator. The airbag includes a pair of left and right side chambers that deploy towards the front from a side portion of the seat back and an upper chamber that deploys above the head of a passenger. The airbag is rolled in a direction that intersects the longitudinal direction from a flat unfolded state prior to being housed or folded to be compressed into a long bar shape. A folded portion is formed by folding at least a location corresponding to the upper chamber of the long bar shaped airbag to house the folded portion above the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Takayuki Shimizu, Atsushi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 11254280
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a vehicle side airbag apparatus which can eliminate the operation of joining baffles sectioning the inside of a side airbag into three chambers, facilitate and simplify the assembly operation thereof, easily and skillfully manufacture the side airbag, and improve productivity. [Resolution Means] In the state in which a side airbag is folded and stored, each of first and second baffles 5, 6 is provided facing each other in the width direction of the vehicle such that two surfaces on both sides of a ridge line Q extending in the longitudinal direction of this baffle are able to at least partially overlap each other, the side airbag includes a baffle intersection which is formed by allowing the first baffle to cross the second baffle, and this baffle intersection is partially formed at a predetermined position of the ridge line of the second baffle, in addition to having a crossover opening 16 at which the first baffle penetrates through the second baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Yuto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11254276
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a side airbag apparatus capable of quickly and properly restraining a passenger in the initial stage of deploying an airbag, along with a vehicle seat including this side airbag apparatus. [Resolution means] The airbag includes: a first chamber which is deployed towards the front of the side support part of the seat; a second chamber which starts being deployed inside the first chamber in the vehicle width direction prior to this first chamber; and a gas guide which is arranged in the first chamber so as to introduce the expansion gas (emitted from the inflator) into the second chamber. An internal vent hole, through which the expansion gas introduced by the gas guide flows into the second chamber, is formed at the boundary part between the first chamber and the second chamber. The second chamber includes: an upper region and a lower region; and an intermediate region disposed between the upper region and the lower region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Yuto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11254289
    Abstract: A program and a control device capable of calibrating a detection value of a sensor that detects contact with a steering wheel are provided. The program in accordance with the present invention is characterized by causing a computer to execute processing of distinguishing whether or not a user is on a driver's seat of a vehicle; acquiring, from a sensor (21) that converts contact with a steering wheel (2) into an electric signal for detection, a detection value of the detected electric signal; determining whether or not a difference between the detection value acquired when it has been distinguished that the user is not on the driver's seat, and a reference value is equal to or larger than a threshold value; and setting the detection value as the reference value when it has been determined that the difference is not equal to or larger than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Yuki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11247630
    Abstract: Problem: To provide a side airbag apparatus which can prevent the deterioration of the neck damage value of a passenger during a side collision or sufficiently protect the waist of the passenger. Resolution Means: A side airbag apparatus 100 installed in a vehicle, including: a bag shaped cushion 114 which is housed in a seat back 104 of a vehicle seat 102 and expanded and deployed on the side of the vehicle seat utilizing gas supplied from an inflator 116; and a holding part 128 for retaining the shape in the housed state of the cushion, wherein the cushion is wound or folded in a long shape in the vertical direction of the vehicle and housed in the seat back in the shape with the upper part 126 thereof further folded back to the anterior of the vehicle, and wherein the holding part retains the upper part or lower part of the cushion which is folded back to the anterior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Yuto Kobayashi, Makoto Fuma, Naoki Hatakeyama, Shotetsu Sen
  • Patent number: 11235731
    Abstract: [Object]. An object is to suitably control the deployment shape of an airbag, thereby improving the occupant restraining performance. Another object is to reduce damage to an occupant located close to a steering wheel or an instrument panel. [Solving Means]. An airbag device according to the present invention includes: a gas generator that generates expansion gas; an airbag that expands and deploys due to the expansion gas to restrain an occupant; and a diffuser disposed inside the airbag to control a flow of the expansion gas. Given that a direction toward the occupant is a first direction, the diffuser includes a receiving surface disposed between the gas generator and the airbag in the first direction to receive the expansion gas discharged from the gas generator; and a plurality of band-like connecting members having one end connected to an edge of the receiving surface and the other end directly or indirectly connected to the gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Kazuki Morita, Keisuke Honma, Ryunosuke Tachiwana
  • Patent number: 11235732
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a motor vehicle seat belt device, with a rotatably mounted belt reel onto which a seat belt is wound, and a belt tensioner with a drive wheel (1), which drives the belt reel in the event of an activation. A positively controlled tensioner coupling transfers the drive movement from the drive wheel (1) onto the belt reel. At least one coupling pawl (2,3) mounted on the drive wheel (1) and which is moved into and out of engagement with a toothing (20) rotationally fixed in relation to the belt reel to establish and disconnect a rotational connection of the drive wheel (1) with the belt reel. A friction ring (4) has a control arm (11) coupled with the coupling pawl (2,3), wherein in the event of an activation of the belt tensioner, the friction ring (4) performs a relative movement to the drive wheel (1) by frictional forces and, controls via the control arm (11) the movement of the coupling pawl (2,3) into engagement and disengagement with the toothing (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Frank Matzen, Geert Wittenberg, Giuliano Begovic, David Winheim, Sven Krambeer
  • Patent number: 11235728
    Abstract: A side airbag apparatus includes a support part having a reaction force surface for receiving the deployment force of an airbag upon expanding and deploying the airbag. An inflator is fixed to the support part. A variable mechanism is configured to attach the support part to a seat frame such that the angle of the reaction force surface is variable with respect to the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Yuto Kobayashi, Tsutomu Sakurai
  • Patent number: 11235724
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a side airbag apparatus capable of quickly and properly restraining a passenger in the initial stage of deploying an airbag, along with a passenger protection apparatus including this. [Resolution means] A side airbag apparatus according to the present invention includes: an airbag for restraining a passenger when expanded and deployed; and an inflator for supplying expansion gas to the airbag. The airbag includes: a first chamber which houses the inflator and is deployed outside in the vehicle width direction of the frame side wall part; and a second chamber which is deployed inside in the vehicle width direction of the frame side wall part. In addition, the first chamber is deployed such that at least a portion thereof, as seen from the vehicle side, overlaps the frame side wall part. At this time, the rear end part of an expanding region of the second chamber, as seen from the vehicle side, is formed in front of the rear end part of the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Yuto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11230253
    Abstract: A frontal airbag unit adapted for being mounted above the person to be protected is described. It comprises an inflator (24) and an airbag consisting of a first outer skin (10) enclosing a filling and support chamber (20) and a second outer skin (30) enclosing a protection chamber (40). In order simplify the production process and in order to provide a good support for the deployed second outer skin (30) the first outer skin (10) is comprised of a first layer (11) and a second layer (12) being connected to one another by means of a first peripheral connection such that the filling and support chamber (20) is relatively flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Laurent Hellot
  • Patent number: 11229261
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an illuminated belt buckle (1) for a safety belt device of a motor vehicle. The illuminated belt buckle (1) comprises a housing (2), a push-button (3) displaceable in the housing (2), an insertion slot (4), bordered by an edge section (21) of the housing (2) and the push-button (3), for inserting a latch plate lockable in the belt buckle (1), at least one light source (10) and at least one light guide (11), wherein the light guide (11) is coupled to at least one light-emitting surface (12, 13) starting from a light entry surface (22). It is provided that a shielding element (14) is arranged on the light guide (11) and shields the light guide (11) at least from a housing part (7, 8, 9) of the housing (2) and/or a cavity (15) in the interior of the housing (2) in which the push-button (3) is arranged. The invention also relates to a method for producing such an illuminated belt buckle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Arndt Soehnchen, Iulian Rotariu
  • Patent number: 11225219
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide an airbag device or the like that can suppress the occupant seated in a driver seat from moving toward the passenger seat. [Solving Means] An airbag device includes an airbag cushion inflating and deploying in a vehicle cabin of a vehicle to laterally restrain an occupant seated in a seat, and the airbag cushion includes: a housing portion that stores an inflator for jetting gas for inflation and deployment; a first portion folded in a roll or bellows shape from one horizontal end of the airbag cushion to a vicinity of the housing portion; a second portion that horizontally extends opposite to the first portion when viewed from the housing portion and is folded back toward the folded first portion; and a third portion that further extends from the second portion disposed opposite to the housing portion (411) with respect to the first portion, the third portion being folded in a roll or bellows shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Yuto Kobayashi, Tsutomu Sakurai
  • Patent number: 11225218
    Abstract: A side airbag device includes an airbag 2 and an inflator. The airbag is formed in a bag shape by connecting peripheries of first and second main base cloths and of a vehicle inner side and a vehicle outer side. The airbag is partitioned into a front chamber and a rear chamber by a first partition wall. First inner tethers are provided in the front chamber and connect between a forward vehicle direction end of the front chamber and the first partition wall. Lengths of the first inner tethers and are shorter than a length between a first joint part connecting the first partition wall to the first inner tether and the forward vehicle direction end of the front chamber in the airbag in a front to rear vehicle direction before the airbag is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Yuto Kobayashi, Makoto Fuma
  • Patent number: 11220231
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion, a seat back having a side support, a frame sidewall in the side support, and a side airbag device. The side airbag device has an airbag in the side support, and an inflator for supplying a gas to the airbag. The airbag has a first chamber to be deployed toward a vehicle front side, a second chamber, and an inner vent hole at a partition between the first and second chambers. The second chamber starts to be deployed prior to the deployment of the first chamber. The gas flows from the second chamber to the first chamber via the inner vent hole. When the second chamber is deployed, at least one of an upper region or a lower region of the second chamber protrudes toward the vehicle front side than a middle region of the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Yuto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11214223
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a side airbag apparatus capable of efficiently improving passenger protection performance and passenger restraining force. [Resolution means] A side airbag apparatus 100 includes: a cushion 108 which is bag shaped, wound, or folded in a storage form; a holding plate 118 with the cushion 108 attached thereto; and an inflator 110 which is embedded in the cushion 108 and attached to a side frame 112 along the side of a seat back 104 of a seat 102 together with the cushion 108 and the holding plate 118. The holding plate 118 includes: a base part 120 formed between the cushion 108 and the side frame 112; and a side wall part 122 which extends in the front-back direction of the vehicle in front of the side frame 112 in the front-back direction of the vehicle and supports the expanded and deployed cushion 108 from the side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Yuto Kobayashi